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Netflix has launched a nationwide casting call in Türkiye for a new original series, offering a rare opportunity for young talent, including those with no acting background, to land a lead role.
The project, titled "Palas Pandiras," is created by Turkish filmmaker Selman Nacar, who will serve as writer, director, and producer under Kuyu Films.
The casting is open across the country, with no requirement to live in Istanbul at the application stage, making it accessible to a wide pool of applicants.
The casting focuses on the character “Serhat,” one of the central figures in the story.
According to details shared by Netflix, the role will be offered to a young actor selected through an open call rather than traditional agency casting.
Applicants must be between 18 and 22 years old and are expected to combine acting with basketball skills, as the story centers on a former national basketball player whose life changes after mentoring five high school students.
Netflix said the goal is to discover a new face who can bring both physical performance and on-screen presence to the role.
One of the key aspects of the casting call is that prior acting experience is not required.
Applicants will instead be evaluated through a structured submission process:
All videos can be recorded using a mobile phone, lowering technical barriers for applicants.
The open call runs between April 2 and April 12, and applications must be submitted through the project’s official website.
Candidates who stand out during the initial selection process will be invited to Istanbul for the next stage.
Selected applicants will take part in a training camp where they will work with:
At the end of the program, one candidate will be chosen to play Serhat and join the production team for filming in Istanbul in the coming months.
Netflix has increasingly expanded its talent development efforts in Türkiye, not only in front of the camera but also behind the scenes.
The company has launched over 40 free training programs covering areas such as screenwriting, visual effects, directing, and adaptation.
Through its ongoing “Türkiye Talent Map” initiative, Netflix has also reached young creatives across multiple cities, from Canakkale to Mardin and from Konya to Hatay, aiming to create more equal access to opportunities in the industry.
New locations for upcoming training programs are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
While the casting call is primarily aimed at young people in Türkiye, the open application structure and lack of experience requirement make it relevant for:
The process does not require agency representation and allows direct application, which remains relatively rare in large-scale productions.
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