Equity vs. Spotlight: UK Actors Union Launches Legal Challenge to Reform Casting and Agent Commission Fees

The UK actors union Equity has initiated a landmark legal battle against casting directory Spotlight, aiming to reshape the way British actors find work.

Starting tomorrow, top Equity officials will engage in a two-day High Court case in London. This pivotal lawsuit challenges the dominant role of Spotlight, which has long been the go-to platform for casting in UK productions.

Equity’s claim, led by President Lynda Rooke and other actor members, focuses on the “exorbitant” annual membership fees charged by Spotlight — £198 ($268) — and accuses the platform of monopoly abuse. Since its acquisition by Talent Systems LLC in 2021, Spotlight’s fees have reportedly increased by 30%.

The union is demanding a legal reform that would require fees to reflect a “reasonable estimate of the cost of production”. Equity also insists that Spotlight disclose its pricing methods and grant all users full access to the platform’s services, not just basic-tier features.

Although Equity previously supported a parliamentary amendment to ban upfront fees, the proposal was ultimately dropped. Spotlight maintains that it only charges monthly membership fees, never demanding full payment upfront.

Spotlight CEO Matt Hood, speaking on a company podcast, defended the pricing model, stating that fee increases have remained below inflation since 2010. He compared this with Equity’s own subscription rise, which spiked 18.5% in the past year, emphasizing that Spotlight fees are “cheaper in real terms”.

Despite being a former Equity employee of 17 years, Hood expressed disappointment about the legal route. “It’s a disappointing scenario,” he said, adding that many of the claimants are former colleagues and personal acquaintances.

President Rooke responded by stating that Spotlight’s monopoly disproportionately affects working-class performers, ethnic minorities, and those without consistent employment. She described the impact as “deeply and widely felt” among Equity members.

Next Battle: Tackling UK Agent Commissions

While the Spotlight case dominates headlines, Equity is preparing to address excessive agent commission fees. A recent motion passed by the union targets the issue of actors earning below minimum wage after paying agent fees — which commonly range from 10% to 15%, and sometimes exceed 20%.

Equity is currently investigating legal measures to eliminate the minimum wage exemption that enables this. A public awareness campaign is also in the works.

Unlike industries with commission limits, UK agents face no legal cap on the fees they charge. Equity policy officer Dugald Johnson seeks to compile evidence and present it to employment minister Justin Madders, while strategizing a broader approach to fee reform.

In contrast, U.S. talent commissions typically apply to fees 10% above the SAG-AFTRA minimum, and production companies often bear the commission. Johnson clarified that Equity does not intend to make UK producers pay agent commissions, citing concerns from producer body Pact regarding lack of contractual control.

An anonymous British agent countered that Equity negotiates the minimum rates, and if actors fall below a living wage post-commission, Equity bears responsibility. The agent also noted that many UK agents invest heavily in talent without financial guarantees and often combine roles that in the U.S. would be spread across agents, managers, and attorneys.