Should Actors Have an IMDbPro Profile? Here’s What I Learned Working in Casting

A lot of actors ask me: Is IMDbPro actually worth it?

Do I really need an IMDbPro account as an actor? Does anyone in the industry actually look at it? Isn’t Spotlight more important in the UK?

There are a lot of contradicting opinions online about IMDbPro, but I can only tell you what I have discovered through my own experience — both as a working actor and from seeing what happens on the other side of the casting process.

And personally? Yes. I think actors who are serious about working in TV and film should have an IMDb profile and keep it up to date.

Here’s why.

I Saw How IMDb Was Actually Used in a Casting Office

A few years ago, I did an internship with a top Casting Director in London.

It was extremely eye-opening because, for the first time, I got to properly see behind the curtain and understand how actors were being researched and considered for major TV and film projects.

One of the things that really surprised me was how much IMDb was used.

I had always assumed Spotlight was the main platform — especially in the UK.

And yes, Spotlight was obviously incredibly important.

But IMDb was used pretty much alongside it.

If I was asked to look for an actor on Spotlight, I would often also be asked to cross-reference information about them on IMDb.

That experience completely changed the way I looked at IMDb as an actor.

Think About How You Use IMDb Yourself

How many times have you been watching a TV series or film and suddenly thought:

Who is that actor?

Maybe someone comes on screen for one scene. They have two lines, but they are brilliant.

You pause the programme, grab your phone and look them up.

Who are they? What else have they done? Who cast the show?

And if you're an actor, you might go one step further:

Who represents them?

This is where IMDbPro becomes incredibly useful for actors.

IMDbPro provides access to industry information that isn't available on the normal IMDb site, including representation details, company information, client rosters and industry contacts.

IMDbPro Is One of My Favourite Tools for Researching Agents

This is actually one of the biggest reasons I think IMDbPro can be worth paying for.

If you are looking for an acting agent, don't just look at an agency's website and think:

They have loads of actors. They must be good.

Research them.

IMDbPro allows you to see who represents an actor — and often the specific agent within that agency.

That can tell you a huge amount.

If you want to work predominantly in TV and film, look at actors who are working at the level you would like to reach.

Who represents them?

What agencies keep appearing?

Which individual agents are attached to actors regularly booking television and film?

Then start researching those agencies properly.

For me, this is far more useful than randomly emailing 100 agents and hoping somebody replies.

Look at What an Agency's Clients Are Actually Booking

This is another thing I would pay attention to.

An agency website might have a huge client list, but what are those actors actually doing?

Search some of their clients on IMDb.

Are they regularly appearing in TV series and films?

Or does the agency's work seem to be predominantly theatre?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being represented by a brilliant theatre-focused agency — if theatre is what you want to do.

But if your goal is screen work, you want representation that has relationships and connections within TV and film casting.

IMDbPro can help you investigate that.

Don't just look at what an agency says it does.

Look at what its actors are actually booking.

You Can Research Casting Directors Too

IMDbPro isn't only useful when you're looking for an agent.

You can also research Casting Directors, directors, producers, production companies and upcoming projects.

If you loved the casting of a particular television series, look up who cast it.

Then look at what else they have cast.

You start to understand which Casting Directors repeatedly work within particular genres, with particular production companies or on certain types of projects.

And sometimes you will also find professional contact information listed for Casting Directors, agents, managers and other industry professionals.

For an actor trying to understand the business rather than simply waiting for auditions to arrive, that information can be incredibly useful.

What About IMDb STARmeter?

IMDbPro also gives you access to STARmeter and its historical trends.

But I think it's important to understand what STARmeter actually means.

A lower number means that person is currently receiving more attention on IMDb. It is based largely on how frequently IMDb users are looking at someone's page.

So I wouldn't treat STARmeter as a ranking of who is the "best" actor or who has the most prestigious career.

It isn't.

But it can still be interesting when you're researching someone because you can see how their visibility has changed over time.

For example, you might see a huge spike around the release of a television series or film.

Think of it as attention and visibility, rather than talent or professional status.

Your IMDb Profile Is Also Part of Your Marketing

This is the part I really want actors to think about.

IMDbPro isn't only a research tool.

Your own IMDb profile is part of your online presence as an actor.

With IMDbPro, you can claim your page and manage elements of your professional profile, including your main image, additional photographs, videos and demo reel.

So make it look good.

Use one of your strongest headshots.

Upload your showreel.

Make sure your representation is correct.

Check your credits.

Keep your profile looking professional.

Because you never know who is looking you up.

Imagine This...

You book a small role in a television series.

Maybe you have three lines.

But you do something memorable with them.

Six months later, a director is watching the episode and thinks:

Oooooh, that girl was funny.

They're now casting a comedy.

They look you up.

Your IMDb page appears.

Now imagine they find a great headshot, your credits, your representation and a strong showreel where they can immediately see more of your work.

You've made their job easier.

That's what I mean when I constantly tell actors to think about their careers as a whole.

Your Spotlight profile matters.

Your self-tapes matter.

Your showreel matters.

Your headshots matter.

Your IMDb profile matters.

They are all part of your marketing package as an actor.

So, Is IMDbPro Worth It for Actors?

For me, yes — particularly if you are serious about working in TV and film.

Not because having an IMDbPro subscription is magically going to get you auditions.

It won't.

But because it gives you another tool to research the industry, understand who is working with whom, research potential agents and make sure that when somebody researches YOU, they find a professional profile.

One of the biggest lessons I've learned over my years working as an actor is that you can't control when somebody is going to discover you.

But you can control what they find when they do.

So if you already have IMDb credits sitting there under your name, don't just ignore your page.

Claim it. Fill it in. Make it look good.

You never know who might be watching.

Sending you hugs,

Natalia

Owning It Acting Studio

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