LILY CARTER (Supporting, Female, 30s–40s) A razor-calm attorney who believes in timestamps over tears. Lily listens, takes notes, and quietly turns Maya’s story of abandonment into legal leverage. She’s not showy; her power is in stillness and precision. Must convey: grounded authority, empathy under control, intelligence, and strategic calm. Wardrobe: Simple, professional law-office attire (blouses, blazers, tailored pants or skirt).

ERIC’S MISTRESS (Supporting, Female, 20s–30s) Initially seen as the “other woman” who helps push Maya out, but by the stinger we see another side: pregnant, scared, and holding an envelope for The Nate Project. A compact but powerful role that moves from smug complicity to raw fear and regret. Must convey: early arrogance, pettiness, and later genuine fear and vulnerability. Wardrobe: Trendy casual (leggings/jeans, fitted tops, designer knock-offs); later, more subdued, stressed look.

MAYA’S BOSS / HR (Any Gender, 30s–50s) Voice or brief on-camera role delivering the “we have to let you go” call. Represents corporate coldness and the institutional side of Maya’s abandonment. Must convey: professional detachment, subtle discomfort, and corporate spin. Wardrobe: Office attire if on camera (button-down/blouse, headset, simple background).

LOTTERY CLERK / ANNOUNCER (Any Gender, 20s–60s) A small but pivotal role landing the win moment—either at the counter or via broadcast. Must convey: everyday friendliness or polished broadcast ease; clear diction and presence. Wardrobe: Convenience-store uniform or simple “on-air” look, depending on final blocking.

?? [LEAD] EVIE WILDE (Female, 23–27 to play 24, Any Ethnicity) Screen Time: Full (drives POV) Performance Arc: Media-trained pop star who wants a father but refuses to be exploited; evolves from polite control ? shaken ? strategic, steel-spined. Key Scene Moments: Doorstep “reunion” under paparazzi glare. Shuts down Ray’s “family discount” pitch on speaker with her manager. Confronts exploitative “apology/likeness” doc; finds Ray’s hidden camera. Public collapse beat: whispers threat (“I can afford lawyers”), flips power. Quiet finale: chooses mom over myth; emotional release. Required Range: Subtle micro-expressions for tight vertical framing; contained panic ? decisive calm; credible PR poise.

?? [LEAD] RAY MEEKS (Male, 45–55 to play late-40s, Any Ethnicity) Screen Time: Heavy Performance Arc: Charismatic, washed ex-manager who weaponizes charm; swings from “contrite dad” to coercive blackmailer to performative victim. Key Scene Moments: Pap-bait entrance: “There’s my daughter.” Flashback contrast (youthful cruelty vs. present-day polish). Slides predatory doc (name/likeness grab), gets caught recording. Sidewalk “collapse” performance and whispered shakedown. Ultimatum: 24 hours or smear campaign. Required Range: Salesman warmth ? cold manipulation; fake remorse; public tears on cue; rapid pivots. Special Skills: Safe, repeatable staged fall to grass; comfort performing to cameras/press; precise prop business (briefcase, hidden cam).

?? [LEAD] RAY MEEKS (Male, 45–55 to play late-40s, Any Ethnicity) Screen Time: Heavy Performance Arc: Charismatic, washed ex-manager who weaponizes charm; swings from “contrite dad” to coercive blackmailer to performative victim. Key Scene Moments: Pap-bait entrance: “There’s my daughter.” Flashback contrast (youthful cruelty vs. present-day polish). Slides predatory doc (name/likeness grab), gets caught recording. Sidewalk “collapse” performance and whispered shakedown. Ultimatum: 24 hours or smear campaign. Required Range: Salesman warmth ? cold manipulation; fake remorse; public tears on cue; rapid pivots. Special Skills: Safe, repeatable staged fall to grass; comfort performing to cameras/press; precise prop business (briefcase, hidden cam).

?? [SUPPORTING LEAD] SASHA (Any Gender, 25–35 to play late-20s/early-30s, Any Ethnicity) Screen Time: Light–Moderate (voice only) Performance Arc: Loyal publicist/manager—a fixer who goes from triage to attack dog once Ray exposes himself. Key Scene Moments: Speakerphone crisis lines (“TMZ in 10,” sponsors nervous). Legal escalation beats; cease-and-desist text payoff. Required Range: Rapid-fire, precise delivery; dry humor under pressure; credible industry authority. Special Skills: Crisp diction for V.O./on-set audio.

A precocious, articulate and confident eight-year-old who behaves like a tiny adult. Tommy is expressive and logical. Smart, witty and emotionally contained, with a deadpan comedic tone. Must be comfortable carrying the film and delivering dialogue beyond typical child vocabulary. Notes: • Strong comedic timing needed • Must be able to perform subtle reactions and dry humour • Must be able to take direction

A brilliant “kid lawyer,” polished and fearless. Carries herself like a seasoned attorney. Highly confident, quick-thinking, assertive, and unafraid to confront adults. Notes: • Must deliver fast, confident dialogue • Requires strong comedic authority • Physical presence and “power walk” energy important • Great role for a standout young performer with natural charisma • Must be able to take direction

Casting men 6'1 and taller. Despite his name, Detective Short is tall, serious, and overly dramatic about enforcing the Broccoli Law. Intense and self-important. Treats the case like a national emergency.

A wine-drunk, exhausted, and emotionally checked-out parent. Over-dramatic, unstable, and glued to her phone. Performs exaggerated but believable comedic behaviour.

Casting men 5'8 and shorter. Shorter in stature. Emotional/reactive. Adds levity with forensics fussiness and incompetence.

A frazzled, well-meaning man constantly fixing things around the house — badly. Soft-spoken, nervous, and perpetually distracted by a never-ending list of repair tasks.

A competent career waitress at a greasy, dingy diner.

Raghav arrived in Ontario 6 months ago to pursue his studies and his passion for acting. He’s always looked up to his older brother, Raam who came to Ontario 7 years ago and has become a theater director at a failing Mom and Pop Theater. Raam is new to this world, still a little anxious and missing his mother back home. Raghav has been hired as an actor in Raam’s latest show, but 10 minutes before opening night, Raghav finds out his hometown is being bombed and that his mother’s unreachable. Must speak Gujarati.

Raam arrived in Ontario 7 years ago in hopes to secure a safe future for his mother and brother. After failing to secure an office job for years, he decided to double down on his passion and landed a job as a director at a failing Mom and Pop Theater. He has always been the caring, responsible older brother, but after years away from home and no PR, he’s beginning to fear that his time in Canada has been for nothing. 10 minutes before opening night of their latest play, Raam finds out his hometown is being bombed and that his mother’s unreachable. Raam’s immigration status depends on whether or not the play happens, but at the same time he’s unsure if his mother’s alive. Must speak Gujarati.

A weathered, penny-pinching theatre owner who has spent decades keeping a dying basement playhouse alive through sheer stubbornness. Vincent is blunt, anxious about money, and constantly scrambling, but beneath the frayed edges is a man who genuinely believes in theatre.

A gentle, practical Gujarati mother whose love is expressed through worry, routine, and small rituals. Even across distance, she anchors her sons with warmth, teasing, and blessings. Behind her steady voice is an undercurrent of loneliness in Adipur that she rarely speaks about. Must speak Gujarati.