Rejection is the constant companion of every actor's career. We all know it's coming, we all experience it regularly, and yet it never quite gets easier. But what I've learned over the years is that how you handle rejection and more importantly, how you handle the periods between work, can make or break your career.
The Worst Part Isn't Hearing "No"
Here's something that doesn't get talked about enough. The worst thing about being an actor isn't getting an outright rejection. It's not hearing back at all.
When you get a clear "no," at least you have closure. You can move on. But when you're left in limbo, wondering if they saw your tape, whether it was something you did wrong, if you should follow up, that's what eats away at you. You replay the audition in your head, dissecting every choice, every line reading, convincing yourself you ruined your chances.
The industry has seen little meaningful change in this area. There have been small movements toward better communication, some casting directors now use systems that update actors on their status, but these initiatives never really caught on. Most of the time, silence is your answer, and you're left to interpret what that silence means.
It's frustrating and It can be damaging to your mental health. But it's also the reality we're working in, so we need strategies to cope with it.
Back Yourself and Your Choices
The first thing I want to say is this, your job is to create whatever you think the role is when you're going up for it. Back yourself. Create the character as you imagine them. If it doesn't go your way, it's not because you did anything wrong or because you were bad, it's because they saw that character different way to how you did, neither is right or wrong – just a matter of taste.
Either way, you've done your job, and you can be proud of the fact that you created it the way you wanted to.
The moment you start second-guessing what you think people want to see from the character, you're doing yourself a disservice. You're no longer acting, you're trying to people please, and that's impossible. Casting directors and directors often don't even know exactly what they want until they see it. How are you supposed to guess? Back yourself and make bold choices, at least if you don’t get it, you can say you went for it and didn’t hold back.
The actor you are is a hundred times more exciting than the actor you want to be.
I've lost count of the auditions where I've walked out thinking I nailed it, only to never hear back. I've also had auditions where I thought I was terrible, and somehow booked the job. There's no logic to it sometimes. The only thing you can control is showing up prepared and making committed choices. Everything else is out of your hands.
Don't Put All Your Weight on One Audition
It's easy to build up a particular audition in your head, especially when it's a high-profile job or a company you've always dreamed of working for. Your hopes and excitement get so elevated that rejection feels devastating.
But here's the truth: another audition will always come along.
If you stress yourself out convincing yourself that this one job is going to be life-changing, you're setting yourself up for a fall. Very few acting gigs are genuinely life-changing. Even the ones that seem massive rarely live up to the fantasy we build around them.
I'm not saying don't care or don't get excited, that enthusiasm is part of what makes us good actors. But try to maintain some perspective. This is one audition among hundreds you'll do in your career. If this one doesn't work out, there will be others.
The actors who sustain long careers are the ones who can bounce back quickly from disappointment. Treat each audition as important while it's happening, then let it go completely once you've submitted your tape or walked out of the room.
Stay Agile and Ready
One thing I learned far too late in my career was the importance of staying agile and ready for auditions, even when you're out of work. Especially when you're out of work.
There are many ways to do this: attending classes, reading plays, keeping up with your technique, watching films and analysing performances. All of these things help. But the most important thing, in my view, is maintaining a consistent, healthy lifestyle.
When we're out of work, it's incredibly easy to fall into bad habits. Sleep schedule goes out the window. You stop exercising. Your diet deteriorates. Nights become later and days become shorter, you know what I’m talking about. Before you know it, you're in a terrible headspace, and when that audition finally comes through, you're not ready.
I keep myself fit, not to be camera-ready necessarily, but because physical health directly impacts mental sharpness. Most importantly, I keep my mind focused and agile so that when an audition comes through, I'm sharp and firing on all cylinders.
When we're out of work, our mental health takes a massive toll. Keeping good routines and maintaining healthy practices will help you enormously, for your own mental wellbeing and for the quality of your work when opportunities arise.
The Power of Positivity (Even for Cynics)
There's no rhyme or reason to getting a job. But actors often say generic things like, "I asked the universe and it came to me." This used to annoy me immensely – I can be pretty cynical - but I've come to realize there's a note of truth in it.
Positivity shows in your work. Having a good attitude and believing in yourself will help you shine in auditions and give off the energy that you're someone people want to work with. Being negative and defeatist will only affect you and your performances.
I know this is easier said than done, especially when you've gone months without work. But by keeping yourself agile and ready, you'll find it's easier to maintain a good attitude.
It's also no surprise that, like buses, when you book one job they all seem to come at once. I'm 100% convinced this is down to what you're putting out there. Your confidence is high, jobs feel attainable, and that shows. Train yourself to stay in this mind frame even when you're not working.
Take a Break When You Need One
If you're out of work for prolonged periods and feeling burnt out, don't be afraid to take a break and do something entirely different.
When I was young and leaving drama school, I had no Plan B. I would not settle for anything else, acting was the only thing I wanted to pursue. I soon found myself out of work and didn't really know what to do with myself for a few years. The desperation was probably obvious in every audition.
Finally, I said I was packing in acting and retrained as a software engineer. After I did that, self-tapes would sporadically come in, but something changed: I started booking them. Soon they turned into bigger auditions, and then I found myself consistently getting a couple of TV gigs a year.
Don't be afraid to have a timeout. Acting and the industry will always be there, and you can always have another crack at it. Sometimes the key to booking jobs is not caring quite so much, and for some of us, we need to go through the acting wringer to get there.
Having something else in your life, whether it's another career, a serious hobby, or a passion project, takes the pressure off. It reminds you that you're more than just an actor, and ironically, that often makes you a better actor.
Your Mental Health Matters Most
This is the most important point in this entire article, don't keep things inside. Share your problems. Talk to other actors and creatives about what you're going through. Be sure to put yourself and your health first and you need to prioritise yourself the most.
The entertainment industry has a terrible track record with mental health. Actors face constant rejection, financial insecurity, and the pressure of maintaining a public image while dealing with private struggles.
If you're struggling, seek professional help. Organizations like BAPAM (British Association for Performing Arts Medicine), Equity, and The Film and TV Charity offer mental health support specifically for people in our industry. There's no shame in asking for help, in fact, it's one of the smartest things you can do for your career longevity.
Talk to your fellow actors. You'll find that everyone is dealing with similar fears and frustrations. That sense of community and shared experience can be incredibly comforting when you feel isolated.
We're All Freelancers Together
It's easy to believe that agents, casting directors, and producers are gatekeepers of the industry, keeping us out at times. But the actual truth is this, we're all freelancers looking for the next gig, trying to stay in the industry.
Casting directors are terrified of not finding the right person. Agents are under pressure to get their clients working. Producers are worried about whether their project will succeed. Directors are anxious about whether they can pull off their vision. Sometimes the best thing to do is really not to take it personally.
Everyone in this industry is dealing with rejection and uncertainty in different forms. Understanding this doesn't make your own rejection easier, but it does put it in perspective. It's not personal. It's not about you being good enough. It's about a complex web of factors, most of which have nothing to do with your talent or preparation.
The industry can feel lonely and hostile at times, but remember that everyone is just trying to make good work and keep their careers going. We're all in this together, even when it doesn't feel that way.
Jerry’s Final Thoughts
Rejection is part of this job. Full stop. You can't be an actor without experiencing it regularly, and anyone who tells you they've figured out how to make it painless is lying.
But what you can control is how you respond to rejection, how you take care of yourself between jobs, and whether you stay ready for when opportunities arise. Stay fit, stay sharp, stay positive, and don't be afraid to step away when you need to.
Most importantly, remember why you started doing this in the first place. Hold onto that passion, but don't let it become so all-consuming that rejection destroys you. You're more than your last audition, and your worth isn't determined by whether you book a job.
Keep creating, keep training, keep connecting with other artists, and keep putting yourself out there. The right opportunities will come. And when they do, you'll be ready.