British Casting Directors Face Criticism Over Bust Measurements

British casting directors are under renewed scrutiny following concerns about the practice of requesting actresses’ bust or bra measurements during auditions. Actress Kirsty Dillon, known for her role in Midsomer Murders, has reignited the discussion, stating that this troubling practice persists despite previous commitments to eliminate it.

Dillon portrayed Detective Constable Gail Stephens in 24 episodes of Midsomer Murders before departing the show in 2010. She initially raised her concerns in 2023 through industry channels, revealing that casting directors were asking for bra size details even before she was offered a role. She reported this issue to the actors’ union Equity and the Casting Directors Association (CDA), both of which assured her they would work to end such requests.

However, Dillon claims that little has changed. In an interview with Deadline, she noted that similar inquiries still appear on casting forms today, particularly in advertising. She recounted an instance from late last year where a casting form required applicants to disclose their “bust/chest size,” specifically citing “32B” as an example.

While Dillon mentioned she had not encountered this type of request in film or television roles, she indicated it remains prevalent in commercial casting. The presence of such questions continues to trouble her both professionally and personally.

Dillon emphasized that this issue transcends mere casting information; it significantly impacts performers’ emotional well-being. She shared, “There was a 15-year period of my career where I was being harassed by three men. When I used to see that [bust size] question on paper, all those trauma symptoms would come flooding back. It was a reminder that my body wasn’t mine.”

She further expressed, “When I see the question now, it makes me feel angry, disempowered, and depressed. But I don’t feel frightened anymore because I have healed, and I’ve stood up and asked important questions.”

Dillon also stated that her initial concerns were not taken seriously. After pushing the issue further, Equity sought legal advice, which indicated that collecting intimate body measurements before hiring could violate data protection regulations. Equity noted that personal data should be relevant and limited to what is necessary, making it difficult to justify such inquiries at early casting stages.

Since then, Equity has adopted a firmer public stance. A spokesperson told Deadline, “Equity believes that in the majority of cases, asking performers for details about intimate measurements, such as their bust size, is not only unnecessary but overly intrusive and potentially harmful.”

The union acknowledged that there are limited circumstances where sizing information may be necessary, such as for costume fittings or specific commercial needs, but emphasized that this should not occur during initial casting stages. They also affirmed that actors should never face penalties for opting not to provide such information.

The Casting Directors Association, representing casting professionals primarily in advertising, has also responded. They have updated their guidelines to promote more neutral language in casting forms, stating that actors are not obligated to provide intimate measurements and that such information should always be voluntary.

The CDA explained, “The Casting Directors Association is committed to best practice throughout the casting process. We recommend requesting gender-neutral sizing information on casting forms for the first round of casting and at recall stage.”

They added that in some commercial projects, wardrobe teams may require sizing details for costume preparation. However, they stressed that actors can leave these fields blank if they choose, and their applications will not be adversely affected.

Despite these assurances, Dillon believes the issue remains unresolved. She argues that even gender-neutral phrasing does not alleviate the pressure on actors, who may feel compelled to disclose personal measurements to remain competitive. She has also raised concerns about how sensitive data is handled and shared within the industry.

Dillon worries that many performers still feel unable to refuse such requests without jeopardizing future opportunities. She contends that the current system creates an uneven pressure that disproportionately affects actors, particularly women, during the early casting process.

Her advocacy extends beyond the entertainment industry, as she has brought her concerns to UK policymakers, including former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. Dillon continues to push for clearer regulations and a complete cessation of the practice of requesting intimate measurements during casting.

Her acting portfolio includes roles in MotherFatherSon and Holby City, alongside work in theatre and audio drama. For Dillon, this issue remains a significant and unresolved challenge, and she continues to speak out in hopes of transforming casting practices across the industry.

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