Back at TRN's headquarters, Lindsay Corbett and Tom Allen sat in their shared office, reviewing the latest casting tapes sent over by Ethan and Liam. Both executives had been impressed by the raw talent and emotional depth of the actors chosen for Silent Heroes. Rory Campbell's performance in particular had struck a chord, and Lindsay was already leaning toward greenlighting him for the role of Tommy Greaves. But as they prepared to move forward, a new email notification pinged on Lindsay's screen.
It was from Paulson, one of Beacon Studios' most senior producers, and it was flagged as urgent.
"Looks like Paulson's making a move," Lindsay said, opening the email. Tom leaned in, curious as well. They both knew Paulson wasn't one to stay quiet in a situation like this.
Subject: Silent Heroes – Casting Suggestions
Hi Lindsay and Tom,
I hope you're both well. I wanted to follow up on the Silent Heroes casting process. I know Ethan and Liam have sent over their list of suggestions, but as one of the senior producers at Beacon, I wanted to offer a few alternative casting choices for your consideration. We believe that, for a prime-time slot like this, securing more recognizable talent will ensure the show's success and help build an immediate audience.
Here are the actors we'd like to propose:
Dan Lawson (C-Tier) – for the role of Tommy Greaves
Dan has a proven track record in similar roles and has consistently delivered strong performances. His presence would bring gravitas to the lead character and attract a wider audience.
Melvin Park (C-Tier) – for the role of Al Barker
Melvin's experience in war dramas and his ability to portray emotionally complex characters make him an ideal choice for the role of Al.
Sophia Trent (B-Tier) – we suggest introducing a new female character into the narrative, perhaps as a love interest or secondary storyline. Sophia's star power would bring an additional layer of intrigue to the series and attract more viewers.
We believe that bringing in higher-rated actors will increase the visibility of Silent Heroes and help ensure its success on TRN's prime-time schedule. Please let us know if you'd like to discuss further.
Best regards,
Paulson
Lindsay exchanged a glance with Tom as they read through the email. Paulson's strategy was clear: bring in bigger names to boost the star power of the show and sideline the up-and-coming talent that Ethan and Liam had proposed. The Old Guard—Paulson, Nancy Park, and George Sullivan—were all betting that TRN would prioritize recognizable faces over raw, untested talent.
"They're pushing hard for star power," Tom remarked, leaning back in his chair. "Dan Lawson, Melvin Park… and Sophia Trent? I didn't even think the show needed a major female character."
Lindsay nodded, her brow furrowed. "They're trying to make this show more marketable by adding star power. But that's not the kind of story Silent Heroes is supposed to be. It's a deeply personal, character-driven drama about the aftermath of war, not a star-studded vehicle."
Tom flipped through the notes on his desk. "You're right. And adding Sophia Trent as a love interest? That feels like it's pulling away from the core of the story. But we can't ignore that these actors have serious name recognition. TRN is investing a lot in this slot, and Paulson knows that."
Lindsay sighed, glancing at Rory's audition tape still sitting on her desktop. "Ethan and Liam's casting choices are strong. Rory Campbell might not be a C-tier star, but he brought something real to the table—something genuine. But Paulson's pushing for Dan Lawson, who's a known name. That could sway the network."
Tom nodded thoughtfully. "It's a tough call. We can't dismiss the fact that bigger names will likely draw a larger initial audience, especially for a prime-time show. But then again, the long-term success of Silent Heroes depends on how well it resonates emotionally, not just how many viewers tune in for the first episode."
They both sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the decision settling over them. It wasn't just a matter of choosing between two sets of actors—it was about shaping the identity of the show itself. Would Silent Heroes become a more commercial, star-driven drama with a familiar cast? Or would it remain the raw, emotionally charged project that Ethan and Liam had envisioned?
"I think we need to meet with Ethan and Liam," Lindsay said finally. "We need to hear their case for why they're so committed to Rory Campbell and the other F and E-tier actors. If they can convince us that these choices will serve the story better than the bigger names Paulson's pushing for, we'll go with them. But if not…"
Tom nodded in agreement. "Yeah, let's set it up. We owe them that much. But we also need to be prepared for some pushback from the higher-ups. If they see Paulson's casting choices, they might lean toward the safer bet."
Later that day, Ethan and Liam sat in the same meeting room they had used for their initial pitch to TRN. The tension in the air was palpable. They had heard about Paulson's counterattack from Rachel, who had her ear to the ground when it came to studio politics. She had warned them that the Old Guard was making a play to take control of the casting process by pushing for higher-tier actors.
"They're going after the star power angle," Ethan said, pacing the room while waiting for Lindsay and Tom to arrive. "Dan Lawson, Melvin Park, and they even want to shoehorn Sophia Trent into the story. It doesn't make sense."
Liam sat at the table, tapping a pen nervously. "We knew they'd make a move, but this is aggressive. They're trying to completely change the tone of the show. Silent Heroes is supposed to be grounded in authenticity, not propped up by B and C-tier actors chasing screen time."
"Exactly," Ethan agreed. "But we've got to convince Lindsay and Tom. They need to see why our casting choices matter—not just for the story, but for the overall vision of the show."
A few minutes later, the door opened, and Lindsay and Tom walked in, their expressions professional but guarded. They sat across from Ethan and Liam, exchanging brief pleasantries before getting to the heart of the matter.
"So, we've reviewed the self-tapes you sent over," Lindsay began, her voice measured. "And we were really impressed, particularly with Rory Campbell. He gave a fantastic performance for Tommy Greaves. But we've also received casting suggestions from Paulson and the other senior producers at Beacon. They're pushing for bigger names—C-tier actors like Dan Lawson and Melvin Park."
Ethan and Liam exchanged a glance before Ethan spoke up. "We understand that star power can be important, especially for a prime-time show like Silent Heroes. But the story we're telling isn't about famous faces. It's about the emotional truth of these characters—the raw, unpolished sides of them. Rory Campbell might not be a big name, but he understands Tommy Greaves on a deeper level. His performance captures the essence of the character in a way that I don't think Dan Lawson could."
Liam chimed in, his voice steady. "And it's not just about Rory. We've chosen actors like Connor Blake and Ethan Greene because they bring authenticity to their roles. They're not polished Hollywood stars—they're actors who are hungry and willing to dig deep into these characters' emotional scars. That's the tone we're going for with Silent Heroes."
Lindsay nodded, considering their words. "We can see that. But Paulson's team is making the argument that recognizable actors will bring in more viewers, which is something we can't ignore. How do you propose we balance that?"
Ethan leaned forward, his voice filled with conviction. "Silent Heroes doesn't need to start with millions of viewers. What it needs is to create an emotional connection with the audience. If the performances are powerful enough, word of mouth will spread, and the show will find its audience naturally. By casting raw talent like Rory and Connor, we'll be creating something that feels real—something people can connect to on a personal level."
Tom, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke. "We're caught between two approaches here. We see the value in what you're saying, but we also need to ensure the network is happy. This isn't just a niche project—it's prime time, and expectations are high."
Liam nodded. "We get that. But we believe that taking a chance on lesser-known actors who can really embody these roles will pay off in the long run. If we start chasing names for the sake of it, the story will lose its soul."
Lindsay and Tom exchanged glances, their expressions thoughtful.
"We'll take everything into consideration," Lindsay said after a moment. "You've made a strong case, and we'll be discussing this with the higher-ups. Expect to hear from us soon."
As they left the room, Ethan felt a mixture of hope and anxiety. They had done everything they could to defend their vision for Silent Heroes.