Meet Shaheen Baig, South-Asian Casting Director Behind Adolescence

We've all been hooked on the recent Netflix release Adolescence or the gripping series Peaky Blinders, thanks in large part to the exceptional casting by Shaheen Baig. This London-based BAFTA-nominated casting director has been instrumental in the success of numerous notable films and series. Coming from South Asian heritage, she has brought more inclusivity and broader representation to the entertainment industry, on-screen and beyond. 

Who Is Shaheen Baig?

Shaheen Baig from Birmingham started her career as an assistant to many leading casting directors before starting her own casting firm in 2002. While starting, she noticed the lack of representation in the entertainment industry and made it her mission to break barriers and inspire more diversity.

In a recent interview with Open Door People, Baig expressed, "I wanted to enter the industry and as I was moving through the industry, I didn't see many people like me. I still don't see many people like me. It became more important for me to try and create opportunities wherever I could."

Baig has worked on many acclaimed projects including Black Mirror, Citadel, Peaky Blinders, Layla, Lady Macbeth, Adolescence, and Edge of Summer. She has been recognised with prestigious awards and nominations including the 2023 Royal Television Society's 'Baird Medal' and BAFTA.

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Baig has made the entertainment world accessible to talents in ways beyond casting. She co-founded the Casting Assistant Certificate course with the National Film & Television School and serves as a trustee for Open Door, a non-profit organization that helps young people access drama schools. 

Baig is also a member of BAFTA, Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences, Casting Directors Guild and Casting Society of America. Through her meticulous work and unwavering dedication, she has significantly influenced and brought compelling and diverse narratives to film and television.