Few casting directors rival the accomplishments of Alexa L. Fogel. A 15-time Emmy nominee and three-time winner, and a 41-time Artios Award nominee with 14 wins, Fogel’s work spans some of television’s most revered series. Her impressive credits include The Wire, NYPD Blue, Oz, Treme, True Detective, Atlanta, The Deuce, Ozark and Pose, among many others.
These achievements alone secure her elite status, yet she continues to select compelling projects, further enhancing her already sterling résumé.
Following their collaboration on the Emmy-winning Apple TV+ limited series Black Bird in 2022, Fogel reunites with acclaimed author and creator Dennis Lehane (with additional casting by Canadian casting director Corinne Clark) for the streamer’s new limited series, Smoke.
The nine-episode series, inspired by the podcast Firebug, follows a troubled detective and an enigmatic arson investigator tracking two serial arsonists. Starring Taron Egerton as the investigator and Jurnee Smollett as the detective, alongside a compelling ensemble of talented character actors, the show debuts on June 27, with new episodes releasing each Friday.
Fogel and her associate, Kathryn Zamora-Benson, spoke with us from New York.
Insights From Alexa L. Fogel and Kathryn Zamora-Benson
- Build lasting relationships with casting directors, as long-term connections can lead to significant opportunities.
- Develop versatility and depth, especially through theater experience, to stand out in auditions for complex roles.
- Embrace every audition and role, big or small, as a chance to showcase your skills and make a lasting impression.
You cast Dennis’ last show, Black Bird, as well. How did you two initially connect?
Alexa L. Fogel: We go way back to the David Simon world. That’s likely the connection, though I’m not entirely certain.
By the time we worked on Black Bird, we had known each other for quite some time. There was significant crossover between the David Simon world and the HBO team I’d collaborated with for years. Much of my career has been at HBO.
Thinking about joining Casting Networks? Sign up for a free trial today!
If we’re going to talk about this show, I think we have to start with Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, who plays Freddy, one of the arsonists. It is an otherworldly performance that will undoubtedly merit Emmy consideration.
ALF: I’ve known Ntare for a very long time; we share considerable history.
One of the wonderful aspects of our profession is when you’ve known actors for an extended period, and they possess extensive talent and skill sets that surpass their early career roles. This creates an opportunity for them to attempt something new and challenging. They bring years of accumulated experience as their artistic ‘tool chest’ has grown significantly.
That’s part of the joy of what we do. Ntare delivered a nuanced and complex performance, delving quite deep. He’s a truly wonderful actor, and that’s thrilling for us.
When you see a role like that on the page, do you think immediately of someone like Ntare? Or is it let’s bring in a bunch of guys and see what they do in the room?
ALF: I’m a strong believer in the process. We discuss it internally, and for something of this complexity, I often gravitate toward actors with a theater background.
Not always, but on The Deuce, for instance, without even consciously realizing it, I found myself drawn to individuals with a musical background due to the rhythmic demands of the dialogue. I don’t believe I even realized I was doing that, but it was partly inherent in the writing.
Ultimately, yes, you assemble a group of people you believe possess depth and a particular skill set, and then, as you mentioned, you observe what unfolds in the audition room.
Kathryn Zamora-Benson: Freddy’s character in the writing is not verbose; much of his performance must reside in his eyes. Therefore, we knew we needed an actor who possessed that depth of expression, something beyond the dialogue to elevate the character.
The brilliance of those scenes often lies in what he doesn’t say. We certainly needed someone with Ntare’s depth and gravitas to portray such a character. He couldn’t solely rely on his limited dialogue. I distinctly remember when Ntare finished his audition – you read with him – he left the Zoom room, and we exchanged an immediate, knowing glance.
ALF: He brought something to this that just energizes you. The writing is excellent, without question, but it’s a road map to what somebody may bring to it that gives it something extra.
How about Jurnee Smollett? She grew up on film and has become a remarkably talented actor as an adult.
ALF: I’ve known Jurnee since she was a child, both personally and professionally, making it difficult to fully separate those aspects. I view her as more than an actor; she is truly an artist, a singular talent capable of anything she sets her mind to.
For certain actors, when they haven’t yet demonstrated a particular range, it presents an an opportunity for me to say, “Okay, great. Let’s see what she can do.”
Two more people I would consider singular are John Leguizamo and Anna Chlumsky, who appear around the halfway point and change the whole show.
ALF: John’s role was entirely Dennis’s vision. My entire career has been in New York, and while John is someone I deeply admire, I believe Dennis specifically wrote that part for him.
Anna is someone I’ve known for a long time; she possesses a remarkable composure. She’s eager to read, audition, and fully commit to the work. Her unfussy nature, which I intend as a high compliment, is truly admirable. She is truly the architect of the positive developments in her career because she is willing to put in the effort and do the work.
KZB: She’s also so smart. We needed somebody who was as dexterous with language as John is because he’s so fast, and she can match his energy and play.
Let’s talk about some of the supporting roles. Hannah Emily Anderson, Luke Roessler, Adina Porter, and Dakota Daulby all really jumped out at me.
ALF: Hannah, Luke, and Dakota were all cast by Corinne Clark. Adina is a wonderful, seasoned actress we auditioned from LA. While she is excellent, she’s a familiar face to those of us in the industry.
After you do a job like this, and you’re able to sit and watch the first few episodes and see that you got it right, that the finished product fulfills the promise of the writing that drew you to it in the first place, do you allow yourself that satisfaction of doing a good job? Do you give each other a high-five?
ALF: I don’t perceive it in that manner. My focus is on the directors’ execution: the visual aesthetics, the production design. I want to witness how the project truly comes to life. Therefore, it’s not typically a ‘woo-hoo’ moment for me.
KZB: I woo hoo. (Laughs)
ALF: Yeah, you do totally. (Laughs)
KZB: I always feel a sense of pride, not only for the established actors in the larger roles—who are undeniably brilliant—but especially for those in smaller roles. These are actors we’ve championed for a while, or perhaps just discovered, for whom this is a significant opportunity. Witnessing their success brings me immense joy.
ALF: The two most challenging roles to cast in this series were Rafe Spall and Ntare. Rafe Spall’s casting was a significant achievement; his character could have easily appeared incredibly unsympathetic on the page, and I believe his portrayal offered a very compelling and intriguing approach.
These two roles were particularly difficult to perfect, underscoring that the ultimate success lies with the actor. That, to me, is the most rewarding aspect.
Final Takeaways
Alexa L. Fogel is one of television’s most respected casting directors, known for assembling remarkable ensembles for some of the medium’s most acclaimed shows. In Smoke, she reunites with Dennis Lehane to cast another stellar lineup, bringing together rising talent and industry veterans alike. Here are some highlights from our conversation with Fogel and her associate, Kathryn Zamora-Benson:
- Smoke, a new Apple TV+ limited series, follows a detective and arson investigator tracking serial arsonists, starring Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett.
- Fogel values depth and versatility, often seeking actors with theater backgrounds for complex roles, as seen with Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine’s standout performance.
- Collaboration with Dennis Lehane and co-casting director Corinne Clark brought together both established actors and promising newcomers.
- Fogel finds the true reward in seeing both familiar and fresh talent shine in roles that challenge and expand their artistic range.
You may also like:
