When casting nonbinary characters, do casting directors specify male or female actors to play the role, or leave it open to both genders?
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On the casting breakdowns if the character is specifically non binary or trans it’s usually noted that they’re seeking actors that identify accordingly. Sometimes a breakdown will say “male or female” when the gender of the character is not essential to the story.
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When I used to make short films, I'd often have characters whose gender was irrelevant to the story, so would audition both men or women for the roles.
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I imagine it may depend on how the character is described as looking. More masculine or feminine, if you see my point.
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Long history of female roles played by men. Probably shouldn't be so attached to presentation, at that point?
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Presumably depends on the role. Some non-binary people still present as male or female etc.. Might be better to cast based on biological sex of the character.
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Non-binary is a virtue signaling term for woke idiots. The term used to just be “androgynous”. And literally *everyone* is androgynous to one degree or another.
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They specify "looking for nonbinary actors to play this role"
Especially nowadays, there are enough actors who identify that way that they can ask for that. And also unless they're incredibly socially tone deaf they know not to ask for cis ppl to play trans ppl.
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Generally, with local casting directors, they get given a brief of an appearance as well as character particulars but would still preference one biological sex over another.