Advice: Auditioning For the Role of Jill Pole

Since the release of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, we at NarniaWeb have received almost daily inquiries about auditioning for the role of Jill Pole in The Silver Chair. After the release of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, these inquiries have risen to almost unbelievable levels. We wanted to take this opportunity to give some information about the film industry and answer the questions that folks may have about how to acquire a role.

Pre-Production and Greenlighting

Before casting begins for a film, there are several steps that take place. A script is written (or at least begun), the story is pitched to the studio, and the studio then “greenlights” the film, which means that the production is formally approved and financed. After the film is greenlit, it then enters pre-production, during which the script is finalized and plans are made for the actual shooting of the film. It is during this pre-production stage that casting is done.

Casting and Auditions

The casting process for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was somewhat unique in that casting director Pippa Hall held many public auditions when searching for the four Pevensie children. These auditions were generally held at schools around the UK, with children from the drama clubs being invited to attend. This is not typical, though, and usually a casting director will work directly with agents and industry contacts to come up with a list of potential actors to fill a specific role. Several actors are given auditions and the director and producers together decide which one will best play the part. This is the way that Will Poulter was cast for the role of Eustace.

Occasionally there will be open auditions for extras at a film location shoot. When that information becomes available we always post it at NarniaWeb.

Silver Chair Status

The future of the Narnia movies depends on the box office results for each film. If The Voyage of the Dawn Treader doesn’t do well enough in theaters, it is likely that there will not be any further Narnia films. If it is successful (and no one is sure exactly what the threshold of success is in the eyes of the studio), then Walden and Fox will likely move forward and attempt to get another Narnia film greenlit.

In interviews the producers have mentioned that they are considering The Silver Chair as well as The Magician’s Nephew for the next film. This could mean that The Silver Chair would be skipped or passed over temporarily, or that both films could be made at the same time. There are any number of possibilities, but the reality is that the future of the franchise and The Silver Chair is very much in limbo right now. It also goes without saying that production for The Silver Chair has not been greenlit and is not currently looking for any actors for the simple reason that there is no production.

Advice

If you are interested in auditioning for the role of Jill Pole or any other character in a Narnia film, the best advice that we can give is to 1) get involved with a local drama group to hone your skills and 2) hire an agent who can acquire an audition for you with the casting director when the time comes. There likely won’t be any public auditions. This is simply the way that Hollywood works.

Another question that we are often asked is about what the producers are looking for. Again, since there are no producers and no production (yet), we have no idea. During the casting process for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Pippa Hall was quoted as saying that she felt that there were so many brilliant British actors that there was no need to look for someone who could “fake” a British accent. So our expectation is that the producers would probably look to the UK first to fill the role of Jill Pole.

Conclusion

To sum this all up, The Silver Chair has not yet been greenlit so there are no roles yet to be filled. If you are interested in auditioning for a role when one becomes available, we recommend that you hire an agent who can acquire an audition for you when the time comes. Good luck!

1,747 Responses

  1. Hwin says:

    Yes, I completely agree! Maybe my opinion didn't come across completely right? =P Anyways, I'm sure that they will make the right decision- the have done superbly so far!

  2. Hwin says:

    I agree, even if they could find someone who could do an accent well, they would most likely be better off picking someone who doesn't have to fake it. Like Pippa said, there's so many talented UK actors and actresses, it would be unnecessary to pick someone who had to fake it.

  3. Annabeth says:

    Wow…hire an agent? I don't want to audition for Jill Pole, i don't really think I look like her at ALL. i have dark brown hair, olive skin, and brown eyes……I'd LOVE to audition for Aravis though, I have the same stubborn personality. 🙂

  4. Annabeth says:

    how come no one likes Will Poultler? sure he looks about 10 in the movie and he sounds like an 8 year old little girl 🙂 but he got several inches talled, got an ADORABLE buzz cut, wears cool leather jackets, and wants to be a super hero, and man, he is CUTE! 😀

  5. Not Of This World says:

    I'm guessing Rilian was arround 20 when he was put under the spell. Add 10 years, and he's 30. I'm guessing the Lady of the Green Kirtle would be around the same age.

  6. Annabeth says:

    no, Annasophia Robb has acted in too many American movies, she doesn't seem like the right kind of actress for Jill, that is, to me 🙂

  7. Annabeth says:

    Totally agreed! by the way, does anyone know (or think, since i guess you can't REALLY know 🙂 ) if Aravis is supposed to have a British accent?

  8. NarniaNerd says:

    *dies laughing*

  9. narnianheart says:

    this would be a dream come true. But there's no way i could do it.

  10. DancingInRain says:

    Also same 🙁 but who knows anything can happen 🙂

  11. DancingInRain says:

    I know it would be so awesome to play Aravis! I would love to play either one!

  12. Louise Gabrielle says:

    That's really good 2 know, i have a few agents i have shortlisted to sign up to, yet im not british (yet if i moved a county up i would be), but if i managed to be so fortunate to get an audition, i think i'd have a shot ;), Lets all hope the next film will be greenlited 🙂

  13. -QueenofNarnia- says:

    I don't know how true this is, but I think there have been some debates about whether the Lady of the Green Kirtle and the White Witch are the same person, and I think in the old bbc versions they used the same actress. So maybe Tilda Swinton will play her? just a thought.

  14. onedayit'llbeme says:

    tell me about it peruvia, as a londoner with relatives in the US i have lots of experience and it can get quite funny! everyone associates england with posh!

  15. Meg says:

    I'd love to play Jill – I'm from England and I'm 14, but I don't have an agent 🙁 I wish they'd hold public auditions again, I think it'd give so many more people the chance to get the role.

  16. Not Of This World says:

    To Queen of Narnia: Dougles Greshem just said in an interview that they were going to probebly cast a new person as the Lady of the Green Kirtle and they probebly wern't going to use the White Witch as the LotGK.

  17. -QueenofNarnia- says:

    I don't think that you should be put off auditioning for Jill Pole just because you might not look the part, as it's mostly good acting skills that they're looking for. Ben Barnes has dark hair and Caspian is blonde in the books.
    I'm also from the UK and hoping to audition, but I have no idea how to get details about the time/place etc. Hopefully they will do open auditions, as I don't have an agent.

  18. Not Of This World says:

    I'd give you a compitition for that spot as Jill 😉 (Just jokeing)

  19. onedayit'llbeme says:

    Awww thanks QueenofNarnia – and its great to be compared to Ben ;). But I'm not a fantastic actor anyway and I dont know I'd want to be in it, theres other things to consider, family, education etc. But thanks anyway. Well I hope you are able to audition and if you get it – be sure to remember me when you're famous! 😉

  20. -QueenofNarnia- says:

    I agree, there are so people out there looking to audition for the role, that I think if they if don't do open auditions they are in danger of casting someone who doesn't suit the part.

  21. -QueenofNarnia- says:

    Sorry I meant *so many people*

  22. -QueenofNarnia- says:

    That's a shame, I think Tilda would have really suited the part, and it would have added an interesting twist.

  23. -QueenofNarnia- says:

    You never know, it's always worth a try, but it might help to have some previous acting experience (at school, etc).

  24. Louloudi the Centaur says:

    By the way, if there was even a small chance I would be to play an extra as a centaur, would I need an agent or something? I have no idea.

  25. Princess Jennifer says:

    Thanks !! But if we personally knew each other that would work so perfect !! I would also like to be an actor and since you want to be a director, it would work great !!!!

  26. Princess Jennifer says:

    Yeah, Polly would be cool too. I wonder who will play as Jill ? Who do you want to play as Jill ? What if actors were on here and looking for us !!! I can do a british accent pretty good.

  27. Geon says:

    There's a young actress name Dakota Blue Richards. Why not let her play Jill Pole?

    http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2301950/

  28. High Queene Shelly Belly says:

    google the address of the talent agency georgie just signed with -IGN_ i thinnk? and send them a videotape of you acting and ask for representation- have your parents do it

  29. Princess Jennifer says:

    I was meaning a headline on here. Sorry

  30. FaunFan says:

    I look NOTHING like Jill, and I'm not British, so I'm not even going to think about auditioning. However, I would love to play Aravis! She's awesome, and I look a lot like I imagine her to look. I'm not an actress, and I don't have an agent or anything, but if there were open casting calls, I would consider showing up!

  31. Princess Jennifer says:

    I think someone blonde or red haired would be good. Wich that illimanates me because I am more of a brown haired. And I think short to medium sized hair, and mine is long. Maybe I could play in another movie. ( Hopefully Narnia )

  32. Princess Jennifer says:

    I think she could be english or british it doesn"t really matter.

  33. lady polly says:

    i think its a good idea,she looks like she would make an excellent jill pole.

  34. High Queene Shelly Belly says:

    If you are serious about wanting to do this and actually have talent- i'll tell you what to do. First you have to have a professional attitude and be outgoing enough to schmooze the casting director (that's what gave Anna Poppowell an in). You can be as talented as meryl streep but if you are going to choke at the audition, no one will know it. Get into any public speaking or acting at your school. Ask your english/drama/ music /dance teacher to mentor you. Look up the top play producers in your area and ask for lessons. Alot of the play director/producers have nationwide contacts. Get into the local plays. Go to nursing homes and perform for free for experience. Socialise with the patients there for practice speaking easily with strangers. . Call the local tv stations and ask what agency they use to produce their local commercials and ask to learn or act with them. THEN, make a video of you playing the part you want, wearing something like the part you want. ask your parents to look up the agency casting the narnia people used- look at the end of the film. google the address. Have your parents make a package with the tape, a photo and a letter and ask for representation and specify what part you want to play, or you'd be an extra. If your parents are very supportive, go to england for the summer and take lessons out there and try to pick up the accent and make contacts . Don't do things with out your parents knowledge cause there are a lot of creeps out there.

  35. High Queene Shelly Belly says:

    also call drama dept of any local colleges and leave your name in case they need a kid for their shows. and join a dance school, lots of talent scouts check with them looking for talented kids.

  36. narnian resident says:

    ever since seeing British actress Eliza Bennett, i imagined her as a great Jill Pole. she played in Inkheart, and although the movie itself isnt all spectacular, she is very talented and did a wonderful job. i believe she's been in other movies, and is about the same age as Will Poulter is. i'd say a good option right there

  37. narnian resident says:

    well, of course i've always dreamed of being in a Narnia movie, but there's one major problem: im a terrible actor! i dont even like acting, actually. so, yeah, thats a silly dream but i've only got it because im a Narnia nerd 😀 i can do a mean British accent though, if i do say so myself (im American) 😉

  38. Ariomoftheseas says:

    i am pure english, 13 years old and my life long dream since i was 6 has been to get up there on the screen. but the problem is, i live in switzerland 🙁 , which means i have even less chance to get the part than people in the US do.. well, good luck to anyone who does audition!

  39. narnian resident says:

    i wonder if you have to be a talented actor to voice act? just a interesting thought…:-)

  40. High Queene Shelly Belly says:

    and if you get the part, immediately get a counselor to help you handle the abuse you'll get from the press and public and your current friends and family, who often turn jealous or beg you for money and try to use you.

  41. Reepicheep775 says:

    Pole is one of my favourite characters, so this is pretty important to me.

  42. Princess Jennifer says:

    Yeah hmmmm……. I LOVE to act and I would love to play as Jill, but I am 12 and I have freckles all over my face, and I have long brown hair. Do you think I would be ok for Polly or Aravis ?

  43. Skandar-the Great says:

    Oh my gosh! It would be so awsome if I got the part of Jill Pole! I have wanted to play that part for a long time.

  44. Skandar-the Great says:

    unfortunately I don't have a agent. I do want to get into drama though. I would really like to be an actress. Especially in a Narnia movie.

  45. Princess Jennifer says:

    A few comments up you asked Queen Elizabeth about kissing Skandars picture……..Ewww !!!!! Do you kiss his picture ? That is still discusting !! I"m older and I don"t think I WANT to understand !!!!

  46. Nesselphie says:

    Hi, I'm just wondering about the age that Jill Pole would have to be. I'm 17 and English, and would love to play Jill, but I don't know if i'd look too old. Then again, Will Poulter is 17… is it more important that Eustace and Jill look the same age than that they look the age suggested in the books?
    I've done loads of school plays and out of school musical theatre, so I have the experience….
    do you think there'll be open auditions *begs*
    xx

  47. Hwin says:

    I think that Eliza Bennett is lined up for the next Inkheart film (Inkspell), but I am not totally sure.

  48. Sui-Lun says:

    I've lived in Hong Kong, where the teachers insist that I give up my American accent and sound British. I guess I can thank them now…

  49. yeswelovenarnia says:

    good point! I actually did audition for a movie that way just recently! I hope they do do that! 🙂

  50. Princess Jennifer says:

    Hi , I suppose you could be from the age of 15-17. But I also think you need to be the right height. I am 5.3" and I am only 12. I have no idea how tall Will P. is though. I can do a REAL good british accent too but I think others are probably better. I have no idea where auditions are though. Hey, do you know how to start a headline ?

  51. yeswelovenarnia says:

    exactly!

  52. yeswelovenarnia says:

    I want they to get a REALLY good Puddleglum!!! They HAVE to!! According to my mom…it has to either be Tom Baker or as good as him…and I agree…it will not be SC without a good Puddleglum!

  53. Movie Aristotle says:

    There is evidently a lot of interest in the character Jill Pole. She must be a favorite character in the franchise. I hope that FOX takes this into account when deciding whether or not to greenlight The Silver Chair.

  54. Book Expert says:

    Well, in the book it talks about how the Lady of the green Kirtle has to be a long liver because she knew what the message was when it was cut. So she was most likely look around 30 but was 100s of years old.

  55. Princess Jennifer says:

    Yeah, I wish they would make HHB first though.

  56. Bother Eustace says:

    ^ Actually, I always imagine Jill as brunette, cause Camilla Powers was brunette in the BBC version.

  57. Eilish says:

    That's so cool when are the auditions were and do you have to have an agent? I really want to have an audition

  58. Avalona says:

    They really need an English actress. In all the Hollywood films I've seen the fake English accents sound like someone taking the mickey out of the Queen. Nobody really talks like that!

  59. Edmund's Queen says:

    Ugghh, I can't stand buzz cuts. I like, love, Will as an actor, but not as some hot guy that I think of all the time. I've got Skandar for that!

  60. Gem says:

    Sorry Annabeth, Aravis is from Calormen, and the Calormenes' culture is more of a Middle Eastern sort, not British.