In February 2021, on the talk show "Face to Face with David", Stargate actress Amanda Tapping told David Oulton what she looks for when casting actors on the shows she directs.
Listening, attitude and playing against type
Casting now happens through self-tapes and Zoom callbacks, which is practical, though Tapping misses being in the room to direct actors. What she watches for first is how engaged an actor is during the whole scene: really listening, not just waiting for their line. If she can see someone is involved before they even speak, the lines become almost secondary.
She also wants someone who will be fun to work with and has a good attitude, and the only place to show that, she says, is the slate. Last, she likes actors who play against type. The industry is full of very good-looking people, so a beautiful woman does not need to play pretty, and a handsome man does not need to play the handsome guy. Since that part is already there, she would rather see them find a different, more interesting way into the scene.