ABC has locked its 2025 class for the long-running Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase, pulling from a staggering 45,000 submissions to cast ten up-and-comers in an original comedy short from a high-profile creative team.
The 23rd edition of the industry-focused event will feature Mirrorland, written by Brittani Nichols (Abbott Elementary), directed by Dime Davis (A Black Lady Sketch Show), and executive produced by Richard J. Lee (Everything I Didn’t Say). The dark comedy follows a wedding videography crew whose assignment at a remote ranch takes an unexpected turn.
Set to screen for industry execs in late summer 2025, the piece stars Ra’Mya Latiah Aikens, Kadan Well Bennett, Brandon Engman, Cam Gavinski, Sydney Neriah Jones, JD Martin, Amanda Morrow, Jamie C. Ripley, Thalyta, and RJ Walker—all pulled from the thousands of actor submissions ABC Entertainment Casting received this cycle.
Since launching over two decades ago, the Talent Showcase has helped jumpstart more than 600 careers, including marquee names like Lupita Nyong’o, Chadwick Boseman, Gina Rodriguez, and Pedro Pascal.
The initiative sits under Felicia Joseph, SVP of Talent & Casting at Disney Entertainment Television, whose purview now spans Hulu Originals and Onyx Collective as well.