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The 2026 Artios Awards Nominations: A Hidden Gold Mine for Actors

By The Up-To-Date Actor, October 14, 2025

The 2026 (41st) Artios Awards nominations are here — or at least, part one of them. On October 8, 2025, the Casting Society of America (CSA) announced the first wave of nominations, celebrating excellence in television, theatre, commercials, short films, and short-form series.

(Phase 2 — including theatrical film and London theatre — will be announced later this season, so keep your radar on.)

For most people, the Artios Awards are industry headlines that pass by quickly. But for actors who treat their careers like a business, these nominations are a strategic opportunity — a time to connect, observe, and align yourself with the casting directors shaping today’s storytelling.

If you haven’t yet, read our earlier post, “Artios Awards: An Opportunity to Evolve Your Relationship with Casting Directors”, where we outlined how this season offers a perfect excuse to strengthen professional relationships. This post builds on that idea — with fresh examples from the 2026 nominees.

Phase 1 Highlights & What’s Next

This first round of nominations shines a spotlight on some of the most consistent and respected U.S. casting offices working today. While the film categories are still forthcoming, the Phase 1 list showcases the teams behind major series, tours, and theatre productions — from The Bear to Only Murders in the Building and Abbott Elementary.

Among the most-nominated U.S. casting offices and directors this season:

• The Telsey Office. (Bernard Telsey, Tiffany Little Canfield & team) – honored for their work across TV and theatre, including Only Murders in the Building and multiple Broadway and regional productions.
• Francine Maisler Casting – cited again for several streaming features and prestige TV projects, including Mountainhead and Out of My Mind.
• Barden/Schnee Casting (Kerry Barden & Paul Schnee) – continuing their reputation for strong film-to-streaming crossovers.
• Jeanie Bacharach Casting – recognized for The Bear and other grounded ensemble projects that blend comedy and realism.

Seeing repeat nominations is your cue: these are the offices consistently shaping the industry’s most visible work — and they’re worth tracking.

>> View the entire list of the 2026 Artios Award Nominations

Why These Nominations Matter

Casting directors don’t just hand out auditions — they shape careers. Their nominations at the Artios Awards reflect what kinds of performances and tones the industry is currently valuing.

The Artios window is one of the rare times when casting directors are getting public recognition, interviews, and mentions across trades. Their attention is outward-facing — which makes now the ideal time to reach out or engage in small but meaningful ways.

How to Use the Artios Nominations to Your Advantage

1. Congratulate Strategically

If a casting director or office you admire was nominated, send a short, sincere note of acknowledgment. No pitch — just appreciation:

“Congratulations on your Artios nomination for The Bear! The casting was incredible — so many authentic, layered performances. Wishing you and your team a great awards season.”

Simple, authentic, and professional.

2. Align Your Work Thoughtfully

Here’s where that earlier quote applies:

“When your next audition, self-tape, or cover note aligns in genre, tone, or scale with one of the nominated shows (say, a sitcom like Abbott Elementary or a drama like The Last of Us), drop a line: ‘I loved the casting on [Nominated Show] — especially the role of _____.’ It shows you’re paying attention.”

What does that mean in practice?

It doesn’t mean you send your self-tape unsolicited to the nominated casting office. Instead, use the nomination as a conversation starter — an industry-savvy way to show awareness and connect your artistic lane to theirs.

Open with genuine congratulations on their Artios nomination.

Then segue into your own news: “I recently shot a new self-tape for a grounded ensemble comedy that reminded me of the tone of your work on Abbott Elementary.”

You can include a link (not an attachment) if the self-tape is new, polished, and relevant — and only if you already have a relationship where you’ve sent materials before. Otherwise, just mention it descriptively (“I’ve been focusing on this type of work…”).

If you don’t yet know them personally, keep the engagement public — a thoughtful comment or social-media post congratulating their team keeps you visible without crossing boundaries.

The goal: demonstrate alignment, not promotion.

3. Keep an Eye on Phase 2

CSA’s second wave of nominations (for theatrical film and London theatre) will drop later this season — likely in December. That means you’ll have another window to reach out or engage again, expanding your network and timing your follow-ups naturally.

4. Use the Data at Your Fingertips

Don’t guess where to send those congratulations — use the tools available to you. On Up-To-Date Actor, you can find:

• Verified contact info for all nominated casting offices
• Each CD’s submission preferences (email, link portal, or via reps)
• Their current casting projects and team associates

Before sending any outreach, check the database to make sure you’re following the correct channel and format — that alone sets you apart as a professional who respects boundaries.

Why the Artios Season Is a Hidden Gem for Actors

• Visibility for the unseen. Casting directors don’t often get headlines — this is the rare time their names trend.
• A reason to reconnect. A genuine congratulations gives you a professional excuse to reach out without an ask.
• Insight into current trends. The nominated projects reveal what tones, genres, and performance styles are resonating right now.
• A training guide. Studying nominated shows gives you a visual benchmark for your own casting type and self-tape tone.

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Final Takeaway

The Artios Awards may not have red-carpet glitz, but they spotlight the gatekeepers of opportunity. Use this moment wisely — not to pitch, but to connect, observe, and align.

When Phase 2 drops, repeat the cycle: identify, acknowledge, and engage. Your professionalism and awareness will speak volumes — and that’s how relationships evolve quietly but powerfully over time.