When Rose Wicksteed was approached to cast the National Geographic biographical series “Genius,” the decision wasn’t difficult for her to make. It was a series about Albert Einstein and the pilot would be directed by Ron Howard. “Where do I sign up?” Wicksteed jokingly recalled saying. However, when it was time to get to work, the project proved to be much more complex than casting jobs she had taken on in the past. Elements like casting based on real, globally-recognized historical figures, casting internationally, and the sheer number of parts on each season, which reached past 200 roles, were exciting but challenging charges for the British casting director.
Season 1 offered her opportunities to learn, so when Season 2 geared up with a focus on Pablo Picasso, Wicksteed was ready to face the fast-paced season with interdepartmental collaboration, more worldwide searches, and local casting directors in the countries where shoots took place. She’s developed a casting process for the show that runs with machine efficiency, and along the way, she’s added some mastery to her skills in identifying talent on tapes sent from all over the world, authenticity casting, getting an actor from
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