Liyanne Marie (Founder: Liyanne Marie Casting) was recently interviewed by TheCelebrity.Online Magazine and below is the Q&A session we had with Liyanne.

Liyanne Marie As Cover Story Interview – December 2025 Magazine Edition

How do you introduce yourself?

I introduce myself as Liyanne Marie, a multi-genre Freelance Casting Director and founder of Liyanne Marie Casting based in London, UK working worldwide casting across Film, TV, Commercials, Fashion,Vertical Drama, Theatre and Digital Media. 

A creative who thrives at the intersection of instinct, eye for talent,  innovation, and unapologetic representation. My mission is to elevate those who’ve been overlooked or shine the light on those bright lights who have felt unseen to ignite stories with humanity, truth, and vision. 

The Head of Casting at Onset Octopus Vertical Drama production company, where I lead the charge in vertical drama and mobile-first storytelling, but my work stretches across film, television, theatre, commercials, and digital content worldwide. My mission is simple: find the talent the industry overlooks at times, provide talent that shines and brings vision to reality and amplify the stories that deserve to be centered. Ensuring that every casting choice is an act of truth, authenticity and talent. I don’t just cast, I care, shape culture, and ignite opportunities that shift the future of storytelling and creative visions.

Struggle – What hardships have you gone through in life?

I started my career later in life, whilst being a mother to 2 children and had to build my career without the safety nets many people take for granted, limited connections, no easy access to an industry that often guards its doors tightly. 

As a mixed-race woman moving through spaces that were at times not designed with someone like me in mind, I’ve often had to fight to have my voice heard, my expertise respected, and my perspective valued. I’ve had to break through the biases that quietly shape this industry, to be trusted with the big creative responsibilities I knew I was capable of. 

Networking has sometimes felt like navigating an unspoken rule book written. I’ve learned to carve out my own space, create my own opportunities, and stand firm in rooms where my presence wasn’t always expected or welcomed. Those struggles built the backbone of my resilience, sharpened my instincts, and fuelled my determination to uplift others who are fighting similar battles. They are the reason I champion the unseen, the unheard, and the underestimated with such ferocity.

What do people usually not know about you?

People often don’t realise how deeply personal this work is to me. Behind the intensity and the vision is someone who carries the weight of every talent or creative who’s ever felt invisible, because at times I’ve felt that too. They don’t see the nights I spend watching self-tapes until 3 a.m., not because I have to, but because I can’t bear the thought of missing the person who just needs one chance. Most people don’t realise that beneath my vibrant, outgoing energy is someone fuelled by deep purpose rather than any personal gain. I thrive in busy rooms, connect easily, and draw inspiration from people and momentum but, what really drives me is the mission behind it all. I am a Guest Speaker and Workshop facilitator often offering my time and energy to support others, knowledge is power and Gate opening refreshing in an industry often saturated with Gatekeepers.

I want to help build a world where talent never has to shrink itself or wait for permission to exist loudly, boldly, and unapologetically and continue to be a part of some of the most expectational creative pieces across Film, TV, Commercials, Theatre, Media Content.

What sets you apart from your competitors in the industry and in life?

What sets me apart is the fusion of instinct, fearlessness, good energy and authenticity I bring to every project. I don’t cast based on who’s already validated by the system unless the demand is for this, I cast based on who transforms the narrative. I go into communities’ others overlook, search in corners that don’t appear on industry maps, and trust energy, truth, and chemistry over conventional “credentials.” 

My process is both hyper-intuitive and meticulously strategic. Directors trust me because I can chase trends but also create them. And in life, what sets me apart is my refusal to dilute myself. I lead with heart, I protect my actors fiercely, and I fight for representation not as a buzzword, but as a responsibility. My work is not about just filling roles, it’s about shifting culture. 

Every casting decision I make is an opportunity to challenge old narratives, break harmful patterns, and bring forward perspectives that have been ignored. Casting is my way of moving the industry toward truth, equity, and genuine representation, one transformative choice at a time.

What are your upcoming major events, unforgettable moments, or products/services you want to promote or inform?

This year marks several defining milestones in my journey. I’m proudly expanding the team at Liyanne Marie Casting, creating more space for innovation, mentorship, and fearless talent discovery. One of the highlights of my recent work is the feature film I cast, Never Had a Chance a gritty, unapologetically authentic South Asian story set in Hounslow, London which won Best Feature Film at The London Independent Film Festival. An unforgettable moment was working with the Incredible Team at Britains Got Talent and being a guest speaker at MOVE IT, the world’s biggest dance event.

As the Head of Casting at Onset Octopus vertical drama productions, I’m leading the casting decisions for their vertical-drama productions continuing the momentum I’ve built in the UK since 2024, casting global hit vertical dramas that are reshaping mobile-first storytelling worldwide and seeing actors take Lead roles and shine. Many of the performers I’ve championed are now being seen on platforms and stage, moments that will not only transform their careers, but resonate deeply with audiences who are hungry for real, powerful storytelling.

I’m also stepping into an exciting new chapter, collaborating with a major creative collective of visual storytellers across video, live experiences, TV, film, and digital worlds. Bringing my knowledge, experience, and creative vision into a new team feels both energising and aligned with the future I’m building. Alongside all of this, I’m also deepening my outreach initiatives through more open calls in underrepresented communities, new partnerships with creative brands and companies. Opportunities of Guest speaking at major events and supporting talent workshops. 

What expert advice would you like to give?

My advice is this: Stop waiting to be invited into the room. Build the room, break into the room, or stand outside the door so loudly and authentically that the room has no choice but to open or create that room.
For actors, don’t perform perfection, perform truth. your identity, your scars, your history, these are not obstacles; they are your superpowers.
For creatives, dare to cast, write, direct, and produce from a place of honesty rather than safety.
And for anyone fighting to be seen:
Your difference is not a disadvantage. It is your destiny. Protect it, nurture it, and use it to change the narrative, not just for yourself, but for everyone who comes after you.

Most importantly find your Vibe Tribe, those that see you, want you to win and shine.  The vibe tribe that supports you with doing this through the highs and the lows.

Social Media Handles 

• Linkedin –  https://www.linkedin.com/in/liyanne-marie-51334a4b/
• Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/liyannem/
• Website – https://liyannemariecasting.com