Look like Sandra Oh?
Casting call goes out for stand-ins, extras for ‘The Chair’
A few lucky local actors who meet very specific qualifications may soon get the opportunity to work on a new Netflix show set to film in the Pittsburgh area.
The Pittsburgh Film Office announced in December that Netflix series “The Chair,” starring Sandra Oh (“Killing Eve” and “Grey’s Anatomy”) and Jay Duplass (“Transparent”), would be filming in the Pittsburgh region in the near future. The show will be written and co-created by Amanda Peet, mostly known for her acting work, and executive produced by “Game of Thrones” creators David Benioff (Ms. Peet’s husband) and D.B. Weiss.
“The Chair” is a six-episode dramedy that is part of the $200 million “multiyear film and TV” deal Netflix struck with Benioff and Weiss in August 2019. There’s not much known about the plot of the show yet, although here’s what its IMDB summary has to say on that matter: “A look at the trials and tribulations of the chair of an English department at a major university.”
Production on the show appears to be ramping up, based on a call put out Wednesday by Nancy Mosser Casting, based in Lawrenceville, for “The Chair” extras.
The listing is looking for two “stand-ins” who must be “FULLY available” between Jan. 28 and March 26, a potential indication of the show’s filming window. It’s asking for two very specific type of folks to fill these roles:
Stand-in 1: Asian female — 25-55. 5-foot4½ to 5-foot- 5½. Black hair.
Stand-in 2: Caucasian male — 30-55. 5foot-8 to 5-foot-9. Lean frame. Shaggy dark brown or black hair.
Although not explicitly stated, it’s probably safe to assume based on those descriptions that whoever gets selected will be stand-ins for Ms. Oh and Mr. Duplass.
Earlier Wednesday, Mosser Casting also put out a call for “core background” for “The Chair.” They’re looking to cast extras of “all ethnicities” and are specifically looking for “college-student types” between ages 18 and 25. Filming will take place in Shadyside. Those interested must also be “FULLY available” between Jan. 27 and Feb. 26.
While “The Chair” gets ready to begin filming, another Netflix show got back to work earlier this week. Found-footage horror series “Archive 81” resumed its production on Tuesday in the North Side, using East Ohio Street businesses like The Government Center and Sweet Time General Store as filming locations.
With these projects, the film adaptation of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and the August Wilson Monologue Competition documentary “Giving Voice,” Pittsburgh has been all over Netflix lately and will continue to be going forward.