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.
Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis
Dear Reader, you are no doubt aware that the people of Ukraine desperately need our help. Please consider supporting the Depaul Ukraine Emergency Appeal.
Depaul is an international charity that works to end homeless.
It has been active on the ground working in the major cities of Ukraine such as Kharkiv, Kyiv and Odessa, since 2014. Unlike many NGOs Depaul has refused to leave – they are still in the major cities of Ukraine doing all the can to curb the escalating humanitarian crisis. Please consider helping them – even the smallest donation will make a real difference.
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 →
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.
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.
Not content with having one master’s degree in law, Ryan is now studying for his second master’s degree in law – an LLM in Medical Law and Ethics.
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.
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.
Talent seeking representation
Among others, we represent…
ACTORS
WRITERS
SINGERS
DIRECTORS
DANCERS
PRESENTERS
MODELS
PRODUCERS
COMEDIANS
MUSICIANS
PROFILE TALENT & RISING STARS
Meet just a few members of our wonderful tribe
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. Thanks to us he’s currently filming on the new 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!”
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.
DARIA GZ
Ukrainian-born Daria Grinkevich-Zhabska is an award-winning international model and actress. She speaks fluent Ukrainian, English, Russian and Chinese. She has appeared in many film and TV projects, especially in Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and China. Her modeling career has seen her shoot for global brands such as L`oreal. We are delighted to have Daria on our books as we push to break her into the Western market and beyond.
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 🙂
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! 🙂
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.
NIALL MURPHY
Beloved by casting, Niall is a ridiculously talented, yet easy-going fellow. He’s been seen by almost every Amazon prime customer playing the lead in the Irish thriller-comedy feature, Dead Along the Way. More recently, in 2021, he completed filming on Burial staring Tom Felton. Everyone at BTA® loves Mr. Murphy.
JULIA THURSTON
Hailing from New York, but trained at LIPA in England, we originally signed Julia to our books as an actress – and a fabulous one she is too.
After seeing a performance of her debut play, the 5-star rated ‘Paved With Gold and Ashes’ we subsequently also signed her to our literary department.
Julia also co-directed the world premiere performance of her play. It is an incredible work that deserves the critical acclaim it received – and more. We hope to help bring that – and her future plays – to a much wider audience.
5-star review of Paved With Gold and Ashes by Broadway Baby
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.
SAMUEL GARCIA
Another fabulous European client, Sam is currently filming the role of Sabatino for the new period drama TV Series Glow & Darkness, starring Jane Seymour.
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.
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
Pro bono publico
BTA® has supported the national charity, Crisis, throughout 2019-2021. 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®
"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 wanted to say again how grateful I am for your guidance. I really appreciate your support. Alice :)"
"Thank you, and to all at BTA, for representing me last year. I appreciate all that you do, and look forward to what we can achieve together next year. "
Hi Ryan,
I just finished submitting the tapes for the Marvel Studios casting. Thank you!
"...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:
