Deputy Editor Awards and Features

Casting director Robert Sterne has been with Netflix's hit drama "The Crown" for six seasons — and even though the series has ended, he's still getting calls about acting opportunities. "I still get letters saying, 'Can I be Meghan Markle?'" he says. "And I'm like, 'Well, the moment's gone.'"

While the acclaimed show has just wrapped, the journey began nine years ago for Sterne. "It started with us sitting around a table and talking about it, and now here we are," says the U.K.-based CD who worked closely with series creator Peter Morgan. "We talked about how it would work, the idea of recasting it every two years. I think it was better than just adding more and more layers of makeup. It was an experiment in many ways." And it's one that has paid off; in its six seasons, "The Crown" has won 21 Emmys and is nominated for 19 more this year — that includes six cast members and a nod to Sterne himself in casting for a drama category. Sterne, who has also cast projects like "Game of Thrones" and "Chernobyl," has a history of discovering exciting new faces in addition to hiring established actors. And when an actor walks into his audition room (whether via Zoom or in real life), he feels it’s his job to help them navigate this creative journey. He notes, “It’s their time, their space, and we need to make sure they’re giving it their best shot.”

It’s a really great sense of accomplishment. From the beginning, the plan was to do six seasons, and we’ve done that. And I think we’ve found some great actors, who are really putting their best foot forward. And it’s been exciting to, you know, make some discoveries along the way and see the younger people fly, and… you see their names on the side of a bus now, and you cheer. It’s great.