BTA
British Talent Agency®
Big Agency Clout, Boutique Agency Care™
“one of London’s leading talent agencies” – Broadway World
As well as serving the UK, our clients also benefit from our close relationships
with studios, agents and casting directors around the world;
especially in Los Angeles, New York and across Europe.
THE BTA® DIFFERENCE
Artists First
An agency that artists can genuinely talk to and have a closer relationship with. At BTA®, we understand and empathise with the artists’ precarious journey. We therefore place the artist first and foremost in our thoughts – from appropriate and plentiful submissions, to forthright negotiation on their behalf over castings, contracts and renewals.
We combine our artistic empathy and experience with business/legal savvy and expertise, to represent our clients with care, understanding and balance. All we ask for in return is your respect, and your loyalty.
Mastery of Law
When you consider that the primary job of an agent is to review, negotiate, enforce and sometimes sign contracts on a client’s behalf, actually studying Law – and especially Contract Law – could be seen as an obvious and essential prerequisite to becoming an agent. Yet, oddly, almost all agents and managers in the entertainment industry have had no legal training whatsoever. And we mean NO legal training – nothing, zero, nada, zip – and these are the people negotiating your contracts and advising you legally! 😳 🤔
Conversely, BTA’s Founder & Senior Agent, Ryan J-W Smith, has a master’s degree in Law (awarded with distinction). During the course of his master’s, Smith received many distinctions in examinations. Most notably, in respect of negotiating your future employment contracts, he received distinctions in Contract Law; Equity & Trust Law, and EU Law.
Global Partners
Unlike some London agencies who fear losing their clients to America and American agents, we actively encourage our local talent to think internationally from day one. We are proud to share clients with some of the biggest and most respected U.S. agencies, such as Abrams Artists Agency, Innovative Artists, Momentum, TalentWorks, and NTA, to name just a few.
Global Clients
We represent a growing body of established American, European and international actors who recognise the importance of having a strong U.K. rep to cover the increasing number of U.S. productions (and others) choosing to shoot in the U.K./E.U. under PACT/Equity, rather than in the U.S. under SAG-AFTRA.
International by Nature
It often surprises people to learn that Ryan started the British Talent Agency® whilst living and working in Los Angeles. As such, his first clients were American and his main contacts were casting directors in Los Angeles and New York. Obviously since then BTA® has rooted itself in London, which continues to be our main HQ. However, just before Brexit, Smith extended the company physically into Europe with an office in sunny Spain.
Through this natural growth and extension, we are now grateful to be exceptionally busy via the three most important cultural hubs for our industry: the UK; the USA and the EU. This is reflected in the international feel of many of our clients who, even if they have local agents in other cities, wish to have one ‘go-to’ agent for all their international job opportunities.
Our Award-Winning Founder
Ryan J-W Smith, MA Law (Dist)
Smith won the Hollywood Fringe International Award two years running in 2015 & 2016
Smith was nominated for the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award in 2008.
An Agent trained in Law – Case Study
So, being trained in law, just how good is Ryan at negotiating contracts and defending his clients’ interests? How much of a difference can it make?
Here’s just one example:
A company wanted to renew a contract for a commercial buyout that featured, among many others, 2 of our clients. While we can’t discuss the details, we can say that at the last moment the company tried to offer a much lower deal that had been negotiated. While every other agent rolled over and accepted the new low deal, Ryan simply used his law school training to argue that the negotiated deal must be honoured. Faced with his legal prowess, the company gave in – only to Ryan – and our clients, in this case, received over six times more £$ than they would have if any other agent had been representing them. Welcome to BTA®! 😉
One of our clients was so delighted she bought Ryan a £100 Amazon voucher to say thank you! ☺️🙏 And countless other clients join in singing Ryan’s praises in respect of his contract negotiations and legal expertise.
ARTISTS - YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR PASSION
We secure work for our clients in a vast range of mediums, including but not limited to: film, TV, video games, documentary, commercials, all forms of theatre, all forms of musical theatre, dance, cruises, resorts, voice over, presenting, modelling, events, corporate, webisodes; apps and new media, etc.
Here is just a tiny sample of some recent bookings →
MASSIVE EMPLOYABILITY BENCHMARKS
As another example, we currently* have a massive 33% of all of our London clients working in theatre.
Considering a recent study by Queen Mary University (London) found that only 2% of all actors earn a living from the profession, this is a remarkable figure.
Congrats to all the BTA® family! 🙂
(*measured on October 19th, 2022)
%
33% of all BTA's London clients are currently working in theatre!
PROFILE TALENT & RISING STARS
Meet just a few members of our wonderful tribe
Among others, we represent…
ACTORS
WRITERS
SINGERS
DIRECTORS
DANCERS
PRESENTERS
MODELS
PRODUCERS
COMEDIANS
MUSICIANS
COMPANIES
The Barcelona Flamenco Ballet
We are honoured to represent David Gutiérrez and the internationally-renowned Barcelona Flamenco Ballet.
David is the founder and lead dancer of the Barcelona Flamenco Ballet, and is considered one of the most skilled and talented flamenco artists in Spain. David and his company have been recognised throughout the world as the leaders of modern flamenco.
David and the Barcelona Flamenco Ballet play to huge crowds around the world - if you would like to book them into your venue's program, contact us asap.
INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS
NICHOLLE TOM
Nicholle Tom has been a profile name in Hollywood since the 90's when she was propelled to fame with her role as Ryce Newton in Beethoven (1992, Universal Pictures) and Beethoven's 2nd (1993, Universal Pictures). Nicholle then became known for her role as Maggie Sheffield on the hit CBS TV series, The Nanny (1993-1999), for which she was nominated for 5 acting awards.
Further credits include notable roles in feature films such as Panic (2000, Artisan Entertainment) starring William H. Macy and Donald Sutherland, The Princess Diaries (2001, Walt Disney Pictures), starring Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews, along with numerous roles in high profile TV shows such as Masters of Sex, About A Boy, Gotham, Survivor's Remorse and Hollywood Darlings. Nicholle is also known for voicing Supergirl in the DC Animated Universe.
A seasoned expert in both comedy and drama, Nicholle is revered for her gritty realism and selfless commitment to her roles.
AARON STIELSTRA
We recently signed Aaron and quickly got him several bookings, including filming a sizable role on the now infamous unreleased DC movie ‘BATGIRL’, starring Leslie Grace, Brendan Fraser and Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons.
A TV a film veteran, previous credits include: Saturday Night Live; Jerry Maguire with Tom Cruise; The Mona Lisa Myth narrated by Morgan Freeman; Catch-22 starring George Clooney, Kyle Chandler and Hugh Laurie; and American Night with John Rhys Meyers and Emile Hirsch. Along with They Talk with Rocio Morales, and 3 seasons of the Disney TV show Penny on MARS.
"Ryan and the team at BTA® offer a very high number of auditions. And the quality and spectrum of the projects is vast. Never have I encountered so many interesting - and BIG - opportunities in so little time. And Ryan handles everything fast, friendly and efficient. It's been a very exciting ride! Grazie!"
ALEXANDER KING
Premiered at the BFI Flare Festival, BTA’s Alexander King plays the joint lead opposite Alexander Lincoln (Emmerdale) in one of the hottest forthcoming independent British feature films to date, In From The Side. Ever popular with casting, Alex is as humble, charming and generous as he is talented – pure BTA 🙂
MATTHEW KOON
An outstanding and highly acclaimed professional ballet dancer, Matthew was First Soloist with the world famous, Northern Ballet.
Matthew trained at the English National Ballet School. His stage credits include Billy in Billy Elliot Live (West End), and his film credits include all of Northern Ballet’s well documented TV performances, such as Victoria. His awards include: Fonteyn Nureyev Young Dancers Competition (winner); Janet Cram Awards Outstanding Dance Award; Marjorie Davies Tap Awards Senior Class Prize; International Ballet Championship (winner); Dance Master UK (winner); Nominated for ‘Newcomer of the Year’, Tanz Magazine Yearbook 2013.
Since joining BTA® in 2021, we’ve worked hard to secure Matthew lucrative bookings on commercials for BA, Facebook, Castrol and Adobe. Not to mention securing his TV premiere in Everything I Know About Love and his forthcoming feature film premiere in Greatest Days.
Oh, and did we forget to mention his forthcoming role in the new Netflix series, ‘Kaos‘, playing opposite Jeff Goldblum? Yeah baby… 😉
DANIELE MONTEROSI
BTA'S Daniele Monterosi is an Italian actor known for film and TV productions such as House of Gucci, Gomorrah III, Il Grande Sogno.
We also recently booked Daniele as a major character in a forthcoming high-profile video game - unfortunately we are not allowed to mention the game by name - arrrggggghhh! We've also booked him as a major role in the forthcoming TV series Ride Out, which is currently filming in the EU.
Daniele graduated in the National School of Cinema in Rome and has worked with directors such as Paolo Genovese, Carlo Verdone, Michele Placido, Ridley Scott, Oliver Hirschbiegel and Robert Dornhelm. He acts in Italian, English and Spanish.
KRISTIAN NEKRASOV
A TV, Film and theatre veteran of many years. Among other notable credits, we booked Kristian on the new Kingsman prequel, The King’s Man (2021) – starring Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans and Matthew Goode – in which Kristian plays General Ludenforff.
ISABELLE GEORGES
We proudly represent the internationally renown French singing star, Isabelle Georges. Isabelle has released no fewer than 10 albums. She's performed all over the world including her most recent performance at the famous Theatre des Champs-Elysees in her native Paris.
Spoil yourself - take a listen to the sound of absolute class.
JESSICA MORRIS
Known for her portrayal of series regular Jennifer Rappaport on ABC's One Life to Live, Jessica has cultivated her career as the leading lady in various television shows and independent films. Also making a memorable appearance in Universal's theatrical success Role Models.
Jessica has recently been the star of Lifetime TV's hit movie The Wrong Student and has also had strong guest starring roles on popular primetime shows, including Fox's Rosewood and TNT's Perception.
Jessica stands out as an actress who conveys honesty and depth through all of the characters she plays and has also discovered her passion for screenwriting.
MICHAEL PAUL
Actor, Comedian, Puppeteer, Ventriloquist, Director, Writer... Michael has toured with Lewis Black, Joan Rivers, Lisa Lampanelli, Margaret Cho, Jeff Foxworthy, Rita Rudner, Phyllis Diller, Drew Carey, Wynonna Judd, James Brown, The Pointer Sisters, and more. His credits include: The Tonight Show, The Grammy Awards, Sex and the City, America’s Got Talent, Sesame Street, The Ten co-starring with Paul Rudd & Winona Ryder, 27 Dresses opposite Katherine Heigl and with Kevin Spacey in The Ventriloquist. Voicing and puppeteering for Jim Henson Productions, Saturday Night Live, Dick Clark, MTV, Walt Disney Productions, and numerous national commercial campaigns.
After an audience with Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II he garnered Atlantic City Magazine’s “Act of the Year” and in recent years has written or directed for Robert DeNiro, Sheri Polo, John Travolta, “Real Time with Bill Maher,” “The Friar’s Roasts,” coverage writing for numerous stage and television productions along with editorials for The Huffington Post, USA Today, LaughSpin and his critically acclaimed book, Breaking Out of Show Business (Post Hill Publishing).
DOUG HALEY
Bouncing between LA and London, Doug is known for his riveting performances in films and TV shows such as Code Black, The Babysitter and The Spectacular Now, among many others.
Dr Lori Beth Bisbey
Dr. Bisbey is an Accredited Advanced GSRD (gender, sex, relationship diversity) Therapist (Pink Therapy), sex & intimacy coach, and registered psychologist. UK viewers may have recently seen Dr. Lori in the Channel 4 show ‘Open House’, in which Dr. Lori featured prominently in every episode as the resident Specialist Relationship Therapist.
SARAH NAVRATIL
German-born Sarah Navratil has had great success since moving to Los Angeles, and can currently be seen as a series regular on MGM's new series, Stargate Origins. You can also catch her in Starz new show, Counterpart and CW's Pretty Little Liars. Sarah has also found success on the silver screen with indie darlings like Cloudy with a Chance of Sunshine, Nothing Like the Sun and Barbie’s Kenny.
Favourite theater credits include the premier of The Death and Life of Mary Jo Kopechne, Frankenstein, Some Girl(s), the West Coast premiere of Key Change and award winning fringe show Disrupted.
CAROL ANNE WATTS
Carol Anne is managed worldwide by BTA®. An award-winning Hollywood-based actress, her performance in the feature film Redneck Roots won her two international film festival awards for Best Supporting Actress along with a further nomination for Best Actress.
Notable television credits include: A Way Back Home, Killer Women, Red Band Society, and Vice Principals. She has appeared in numerous feature films including Traded and Ant-Man, and plays the leading roles in the forthcoming action features Aim and Final Imprint.
Carol Anne has trained in hand-to-hand combat for over 9 years.
IVA KEVRA
Iva Kevra is a Croatian actor based in Dublin, Ireland - she holds an EU passport. Iva began her career at the Istrian National Theatre in Pula (Croatia) at the age of 10. She was later accepted at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade (Serbia) where she received her BA and MA degrees in Acting.
She received major approval by the Balkan audience for her role of Krista Avakumovic in Black Sun (2017), where she was paired opposite Goran Bogdan, famous for his role of Yuri Gurka in Fargo (2017). The very same year Black Sun won award in the category of best TV series at the International Festival of Dramas and TV series – FEDIS, and is available on Amazon Prime. A year later, Iva appeared as Lucija in a famous regional comedy-drama Zigosani u reketu.
Among many other theatre plays, Iva Kevra was a part of the acclaimed theatre performance “A Tomb for Boris Davidovich” directed by Ivica Buljan, the director of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb and professor at the National Theatre Academy in Saint- Étienne (France). The performance was premiered at the Mittelfest (Cividale, Italy) and was the most attended theatre play at the 18th International Festival of Contemporary Theatre in Zadar, Croatia.
Iva is also a voice over actress, having done numerous lead roles for Nickelodeon channel in Serbia. Dubs were made by the Serbian Gold Digi Net studio. Her most famous is the role of Katara in Avatar: The Last Airbender, one of the world's top rated TV series on IMDb.
Iva is currently filming a TV Show Urgentni Centar, the Serbian adaptation of the famous American TV Show ER.
NICHOLA FYNN
Another Brit doing well bouncing between London and L.A. - Nichola's past t.v. credits include guest stars on, America’s Got Talent, Transparent (playing opposite Actresses Gaby Hoffman and Amy Landecker) and Hot in Cleveland (playing opposite Betty White).
In England, Nichola's credits include the BBC shows The Hour and What Remains as well as a featured role in the Bond film, Skyfall, along with various West End theatre productions. Feature films also include a leading role in Altered Perception. Nichola trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London.
BRUNO MATAY
Bruno is a Portuguese actor with African heritage based in London. He moved to London in 2011.
His stage credits during training include The Crucible (John Proctor) The Importance of Being Ernest (Ernest) King Richard The Third (King Richard), Dancing at Lughnasa (Michael Evans), Master Harold…and The Boys (Sam Semela). Professionally he worked with Joao Salaviza, winner of Palme d´or, Jose Fonseca e Costa who worked as an assistant to Michelangelo Antonioni before becoming one of the leaders of Portugal's 'Young Cinema' in the 1960s and Tiago Guedes whose film The Domain was selected as the Portuguese entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards.
Most recently he performed as Berlin/Shanghai for the Money Heist Experience in London and can soon be seen in The Witcher (Netflix) and FBI International (CBS). Bruno speaks Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, English and Spanish fluently.
Bruno was born in Portugal and has UK settled status - he lives in London.
ANNA GULDKULA
Anna Guldkula was born in Sweden 1993 – she has a Swedish passport and is a UK resident. Anna’s professional career began in 2002, when she was just nine years old, as a professional background dancer on Swedish television. In 2012, she moved to New York and trained in acting at New York Film Academy. Later on that year she had an internship at Dolphin Academy in Curacao.
Anna was born in Sweden and has UK settled status - she lives in London.
RIB HILLIS
Rib has since found success as an actor in Hollywood with credits including the ABC soap opera, Port Charles and prime-time appearances in dozens of television shows, including, Ugly Betty, Two and a Half Men, CSI, Melissa and Joey, Bull, Eve, Angel and Modern Family.
Rib has also found success on the silver screen, playing roles in films such as, Grooms Cake, Birthday Cake, Taos, Propiedad Ajena, Life's a Beach, etc. His latest credits in films released on Netflix & Amazon include Cowboys vs. Dinosaurs, Doggone Christmas, Timber The Treasure Dog & Shockwave.
TO VIEW MORE OF OUR CLIENTS
SEE OUR EXPANDED CLIENT ROSTER ON
Talent seeking representation
Pro bono publico
BTA® has supported the national charity, Crisis, since 2019. In this industry, we can all too easily get caught up in ambition and forget just how lucky we are - people living on the streets is completely unacceptable in a society that considers itself civil.
THE ART & SCIENCE OF SUBMISSIONS
Success in this industry is weighted by combining a scientific and artistic approach to submissions. Nothing works better than taking and using hard data (the science) and combining that with decades of wisdom and experience (the art) to increase and strategise talent submissions.
Thus, every couple of months we encourage our clients to request their Spotlight submission report from us. The responce is always the same - sheer amazement at the qualitative and quantitative data. You're welcome 😉
- BTA® due diligence 100%
%
BTA® submission happiness
FREDDY PARKINGTON
Mr. Parkington is a remarkably talented young actor with credits in wide-ranging mediums: he performed as Tom Holland's Stand-in for Marvel Studio's 'Spider-Man: Far From Home'; and starred in a lucrative Nintendo commercial etc. Further to this Freddy is well-trained in stunts, parkour and mo cap.
Casting loves Freddy! 🙂
The BTA® Family
our clients say it best
There's only one BTA®
Lots of lovely BTA clients, staff and Ryan joined together to celebrate Ryan's law school graduation ceremony in London.
"Hi Ryan & team,
Saying thank you is easy, what I would like to say is that apart from being our agent, you’re also our godfather, as well as our confidant, and we frequently feel your support. I hope you know we also care for you.
Thank you all for being amazing, for believing in us and for giving us the chance of a better future.
Sending in an enormous hug!"
“Ryan and the team at BTA® offer a very high number of auditions. And the quality and spectrum of the projects is vast. Never have I encountered so many interesting – and BIG – opportunities in so little time. And Ryan handles everything fast, friendly and efficient. It’s been a very exciting ride! Grazie!”
Hi Ryan,
I just finished submitting the tapes for the Marvel Studios casting. Thank you!
"Hi Ryan, I just wanted to say again how grateful I am for your guidance. I really appreciate your support. Alice :)"
"Thank you for everything this year Ryan and for giving me a chance! I am so lucky to have met you and so grateful for the chance you gave me. I hope your holidays are relaxing and fun and your new year filled with successes. Also congrats on your graduation!
Thank you for everything
Farooq"
"...my O2 commercial has just starting showing on tv!! Saw it for the first time today. Thank you so much, I’m thrilled!"
Hi Ryan,
Thank you for this and I just want to say a massive thank you to you and the team for all of your hard work this year and for helping me secure the Money Heist job, which I am thoroughly enjoying.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a very happy new year!
Here’s to 2022!
Best wishes,
Sarah xx
"Ryan has been incredibly supportive since day 1. He’s professional, approachable and friendly. Always on call when needed and has provided me constant support, encouragement and guidance.
Very fortunate to have such a kind, hardworking and knowledgeable agent, that I can also have a great laugh with and call my friend.
Thank you for generating such wonderful opportunities for me and your continued support, guidance and friendship."
Hey Ryan,
Dear Ryan,
It’s been the strangest year for starting a new era with a new agent, however you’ve kept us troops entertained and motivated us throughout the year! ...I raise a virtual glass to you and hope you enjoy the festive season!
P.s an Amazon package should have arrived today, as a thank you for the hard work - enjoy!
Alistair
"Hi Ryan,
just letting you know that I have just sent the casting tapes off to Huawei,
I also just wanted to say a massive thank you for all of your support and effort, during quarantine and continuously!
it is great to know that you believe in me and I am so grateful for your encouragement and advice!
I feel privileged to be a part of BTA!
Thanks Again! 🙂 x"
the industry concurs
"You are the best. So hard working."
"During the course of booking one of his clients for one of our productions, Ryan gently pointed out that there was a simple, but rather important, error in our contract. Ryan was absolutely right - the error was obvious once you saw it. I'd been using that contract and sending it to countless other agents for about 8 years and not one of them had spotted it! We amended the contract and booked his client. With his evident and almost effortless knowledge of contract law, Ryan's pretty unique in this industry."
"Legend! 😊 ...thank you Ryan, you’ve sent in some ace groups ❤ ... thanks so much for these fab tapes so quickly xx... ...You da best! X"
"Great - you are the only agent who invoiced correctly"
GETTING OUR CLIENTS 'IN THE ROOM'
Film, TV, Theatre, Musical Theatre, VO, Video Games, Commercials - we excel in all areas.
As such, BTA® clients get life-changing opportunities - here's a small taste of our extensive reach:
WITH LEADING PRODUCTION COMPANIES AND DIRECTORS INCLUDING:
WITH LEADING CASTING DIRECTORS INCLUDING:
FOR MAJOR PRODUCTIONS INCLUDING:
FOR THEATRE INCLUDING:
FOR MUSICAL THEATRE INCLUDING:
