Welcome to the January 2026 Casting Networks Calendar of Events, your curated guide to what’s happening across stages, screens, studios, and online spaces.
The industry is warming back up after the holiday freeze, pilot season is humming beneath the surface, and actors everywhere are sharpening their tools for the most opportunity-packed stretch of the year. This month offers a surprising mix of artistic fuel and community moments.
If December was the exhale, January is the inhale, the moment actors step forward, focus their energy, and claim the year ahead. Let’s dive in!
Advice & Inspiration
1. Declare Your “Pilot Season Persona.” – Craft a playful alter-ego for yourself: the version of you who books boldly, self-tapes confidently, and answers emails instantly. Let that persona take the wheel this month.
2. Build Your 2026 Emotional Palette – Create a color-coded map of emotions you want ready on command: tenderness, righteous fury, bewildered joy. Pair each with a memory, song, or sensation that summons it. Any type of Composition Notebook will do.
3. Attend a “No-Stakes Self-Tape Sunday.” – One Saturday or Sunday this month, gather actor friends and self-tape scripts you don’t care about. Practice taking swings without pressure.
4. Give Your Reels a Villain Edit – Most actors cut reels to show their “best selves.” Instead, create a reel that shows your most complex, morally messy work. It’ll remind you what else you’re capable of.
5. Build Your “Unexpected Type Board.” – Actors know their type, but January begs rebellion. Curate a board of roles outside your lane: astronauts, villains, stoic detectives, quirky inventors, haunted baristas. Let your imagination stretch.
6. Create a 2026 Casting Manifesto – Write a one-page document stating what you want to audition for this year. Be specific. Tape it to your mirror like a prophecy.
7. Invent a Warm-Up You Actually Love – Ditch the exercises you currently do. Craft a ritual that feels indulgent: maybe eating a chocolate square (no reason needed!), lighting a new scented candle (helps with relaxation), and a goofy tongue-twister (helps with speech and pronunciation).
8. Start a “Scene Seeds” Jar – Write down interesting quirks you observe in strangers. Drop them in a jar. Use one seed a week to create a character sketch. Also, in a similar style, you can create a TBR Jar, which is short for a “To Be Read” Jar. Actors write script titles on slips of paper, put them in a jar, and draw one out to decide which script they read next.
9. Practice the Five-Minute Authenticity Drop – Before every audition in January, spend five minutes reconnecting with something true: a memory, a scent, a phrase that unhooks your armor. It tightens your emotional access.
10. Curate Your “January Film Lab.” – Choose four films in completely different genres. Watch one each week. Afterward, record a 60-second “actor analysis” of a performance that floored you.
11. Begin the Great January Reset: The Three-Drawer Rule – Clean out three metaphorical (or literal) drawers: Your workspace, your digital casting profiles, and your mental clutter. Actors book more when their environment breathes.
12. This month’s social media spotlight goes to Katelyn Ohashi, the now-retired world-famous gymnast, writer, and speaker who became a sensation after her 2019 UCLA floor routine went viral. She has since become a prominent advocate for body autonomy, mental health, and redefining success outside the pressures of perfection culture.
Actors love Ohashi because she treats performance as emotional expression, not technical execution. Actors recognize the difference between “doing the moves” and letting the audience feel something.
Ohashi’s routines vibrate with storytelling, which mirrors what actors aim to deliver on camera and on stage. The gymnastics world can mirror Hollywood: demanding, competitive, sometimes punishing. Ohashi’s story of healing, reclaiming her artistry, and redefining success resonates with actors navigating similar demands.
Her work demonstrates how “being alive in your body” translates to compelling performance.
What to Watch
Films
13. We Bury the Dead (Horror / Thriller) – Start the year off on January 2 with a bone-chilling movie. After a catastrophic military disaster, the dead don’t just rise – they hunt. Ava searches for her missing husband, but what she finds is far more terrifying. Starring Daisy Ridley, Brenton Thwaites, and Mark Coles Smith.
14. Greenland 2: Migration (Disaster / Action) – In the aftermath of a comet strike that decimated most of the earth, the film follows the Garrity family (Gerard Butler, Morena Baccarin, and Roman Griffin Davis) as they’re forced to leave the safety of their bunker in Greenland to traverse a shattered world in search of a new home. In theaters January 9.
15. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (Horror) – On January 16, be prepared to predict the future. An upcoming post-apocalyptic film directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland. Starring Cillian Murphy, Ralph Fiennes and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
16. H Is for Hawk (Drama / Biographical) – After losing her beloved father, Helen finds herself saved by an unlikely friendship with a stubborn hawk named Mabel. In this incredible true story, Helen rediscovers the beauty of being alive. Starring Claire Foy and Brendan Gleeson, this film hits theaters on January 23.
TV/Small Screen
17. Run Away (Thriller / Mystery) – Kick off New Year’s Day! Based on Harlan Coben’s bestselling thriller, Run Away follows Simon, a devoted father whose daughter disappears into a dangerous underworld of manipulation, addiction, and violence. Starring Richard Armitage, Sarah Shahi, and Evin Ahmad.
18. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (Sci-fi / Adventure) – This thrilling new chapter follows a fresh class of cadets as they train under the watchful, demanding eyes of Starfleet’s finest. Together, they’ll face the highs and lows of academy life: forging unbreakable friendships, clashing in explosive rivalries, experiencing first loves, and stepping into their destiny as the next generation of Starfleet officers. January 15, exclusively on Paramount+.
19. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (Fantasy / Drama) – On January 18, tune into HBO Max for the series from George R.R. Martin. It’s a ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel series and book collection about the adventures of Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall, a humble hedge knight, and his young squire, Egg, about a century before ‘Game of Thrones,’ focusing on their travels, chivalry, and encountering Targaryen princes during a time when the dragon dynasty still ruled, blending action, intrigue, and friendship into a smaller-scale fantasy tale.
20. Wonder Man (Superhero / Dramedy) – Watch Disney+ on January 27 for Marvel Studios’ bold, satirical take on superhero stardom. Starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams and Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery, this Disney+ series blends Hollywood chaos with Marvel action.
Wellness Activities
21. The “Warm the Bones” Breath Ritual. January air likes to nip at your ambition, so build a breath sequence that feels like slipping into a heated costume. Slow inhale, longer exhale, then a gentle hum to vibrate your chest. It releases jaw tension and stokes vocal warmth for auditions.
22. The “Hot Tea & Heart Check” Journaling Night. Pick one night a week to make tea that tastes like comfort itself. Then journal on one prompt: “What emotion did I avoid today, and what would happen if I let it speak?” This strengthens emotional availability without draining you.
23. The Cozy Blanket Floor Stretch. Lay a soft blanket on the floor, curl into stretches that feel like rewinding your entire body, and play a soundscape (snowfall, crackling wood, a quiet coffee shop). Your nervous system drifts into a restorative mode that boosts on-camera presence.
24. The “Snow Globe Reset” Meditation. Imagine your mind as a snow globe mid-shake. Thoughts swirling everywhere. Visualize it slowly settling. When the flakes come to rest, choose one intention for the next 24 hours. Actors book more when mentally decluttered.
25. The Immune-Boost Actor Kitchen Week. Pick seven days to cook (or assemble) simple meals that fight winter fatigue: citrus bowls, ginger broth, roasted veggies, turmeric eggs. Think of it as feeding the version of you who has three auditions in one day.
26. The “Creative Hearth” Gathering. Invite two or three actor friends for a low-pressure creative circle: warm drinks, a shared poem, maybe reading a single page from a play. No critique. No rewriting. Just gentle warmth and artistic companionship to begin the year steady and supported.
Live / Virtual Events
27. WinterJam 2026 kicks off in January in multiple U.S.A. cities. It’s a touring indoor concert festival featuring boundary-pushing indie bands, alt-pop icons, and rising electronic artists. A sensory buffet for actors studying stage presence, pacing, and charisma.
28. NOAH The New Year 2026 – Pro Wrestling Event. January 1 in Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan & streaming via Wrestle Universe/AbemaTV. A high-energy kickoff to 2026 with scripted storytelling, “hero vs. villain” drama, and live character arcs. This can be fun for actors studying physical performance and audience engagement.
29. Dancing with the Stars: Live! Tour – Begins January 22 in Akron, OH, and coming to a city near you! Big-stage choreography, live audience interaction, and a look at translating TV choreography into touring theater tours. Great for performers studying movement and stage pacing.
30. Travel & Adventure Show – New York City, January 24 – 25. Great for creative downtime, inspiration, and imagining new character worlds from travel panels and global cultures.
31. Royals Rally 2026 – Head to Kansas City, MO, on January 31 to welcome the Boys in Blue back to the ballpark! Make a lifetime memory and take home an autograph from one of your favorite players, hear from the front office and players in engaging roundtable discussions, chow down on some ballpark classics. Although sports-centered, it’s a massive fan experience with autograph sessions and storytelling around athletes — cool for actors interested in fan culture and public presentation.
Bonus Event Actors Will Love
- BroadwayCon – January 23 – 25, Times Square, New York City. It’s Broadway’s version of a weekend-long artistic adrenaline shot: cast reunions, choreography workshops, behind-the-scenes panels, and networking galore. For screen actors, it’s also a reminder of the electrifying discipline required for live performance.
Actors with January Birthdays
Watch their performances for inspiration. Read interviews or biographies of these actors for insight. Post a tribute on social media about the actors below to spark conversation.
January 1 — Frank Langella
- Known for Frost/Nixon, The Americans, and decades of acclaimed stage work
- Celebrated for his commanding gravitas and riveting dramatic performances
January 3 — Florence Pugh
- Known for Little Women, Midsommar, Oppenheimer, and Marvel’s Yelena Belova
- Loved for her emotional range, grounded intensity, and fearless character choices
January 5 — Bradley Cooper
- Known for A Star Is Born, American Sniper, The Hangover, Maestro
- Praised as a multi-hyphenate: actor, director, producer, and vocal performer
January 7 — Nicolas Cage
- Known for National Treasure, Face/Off, Moonstruck, Pig
- Beloved for his bold, idiosyncratic acting style and wild, unforgettable choices
January 8 — Sarah Polley
- Known for Women Talking, Stories We Tell, and her transition to acclaimed director
- Celebrated for her thoughtful, humanist storytelling
January 9 — J.K. Simmons
- Known for Whiplash, Spider-Man, Invincible, and The Tomorrow War
- Known for explosive authority onscreen and impeccable character acting
January 11 — Naomi Judd (Actress & Musician)
- Known for Family Tree, A Holiday Romance, and her legacy as part of The Judds
- Admired for her crossover artistry and heartfelt performances
January 11 — Amanda Peet
- Known for The Whole Nine Yards, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Brockmire
- Recognized for her comedic timing and grounded dramatic style
January 16 — Lin-Manuel Miranda
- Known for Hamilton, In the Heights, Mary Poppins Returns, Encanto
- Revered as a creator-performer shaping modern musical theatre
January 17 — Jim Carrey
- Known for Ace Ventura, The Mask, Eternal Sunshine, Dumb & Dumber
- Iconic for elastic physical comedy and unexpectedly soulful dramatic performances
January 19 — Logan Lerman
- Known for Percy Jackson, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Hunters
- A YA favorite with a devoted fanbase and strong emotional nuance
January 20 — Evan Peters
- Known for American Horror Story, Dahmer, X-Men
- Celebrated for transformational character work and psychological depth
January 21 — Geena Davis
- Known for Thelma & Louise, A League of Their Own, The Fly
- Champion for gender equality in media through her Institute
January 25 — Alicia Keys (also Actress)
- Known for The Secret Life of Bees, The Nanny Diaries, and musical work that crosses into film
- Valued for expressive screen presence and artistic versatility
January 26 — Ellen DeGeneres (Voice Actress)
- Known for voicing Dory in Finding Nemo and Finding Dory
- Comedic performer known for warmth, wit, and improvisational charm
January 27 — Patton Oswalt
- Known for Ratatouille, The Goldbergs, Young Adult
- Loved for his voice acting, humor, and poignant dramatic turns
January 28 — Elijah Wood
- Known for The Lord of the Rings, Wilfred, Cooties
- Cherished for iconic genre roles and indie-film authenticity
January 30 — Christian Bale
- Known for The Dark Knight Trilogy, American Psycho, The Fighter, Vice
- Renowned for intense physical transformations and method-like depth
January 31 — Kerry Washington
- Known for Scandal, Django Unchained, Little Fires Everywhere
- Celebrated for powerhouse emotional intelligence and leadership as a producer
