Samantha Giles Voices Frustration With Industry Changes

Emmerdale star Samantha Giles, best known for her role as Bernice Blackstock, has spoken out about the growing challenges actors face in today’s entertainment industry. The actress, who is preparing to reprise her role in the ITV soap after leaving in 2023, revealed that landing acting work has become “much harder” over the past two years.

In a candid interview, Giles criticized the influx of influencers, presenters, and singers into acting roles — a trend she says puts trained performers at a disadvantage. “There are all these people who are going into acting but have never acted in their lives — presenters, influencers, singers,” she told Woman magazine. “You have to compete with other actors and all these other people! I think that’s a real problem.”

Singing Stars and Social Media Personalities Take Center Stage

Giles’ concerns are far from hypothetical. Over the years, several singers and media personalities have successfully crossed into soap operas, including Kym Marsh, Keith Duffy, Shayne Ward in Coronation Street, Martin Kemp in EastEnders, and Duncan James in Hollyoaks. More recently, pro-dancer brothers Curtis and AJ Pritchard landed roles in Hollyoaks in 2021, though they faced criticism from both audiences and professional actors for their performances.

The trend highlights a shift in the industry, where visibility and social media followings can sometimes outweigh formal training or experience. For actors like Giles, this evolution can mean fewer opportunities and more competition for the same roles.

The Self-Tape Revolution Adds Another Challenge

Beyond competition from celebrities, Giles also pointed to the rise of self-taped auditions as a major barrier. “Whereas 10 years ago you’d be offered things — a single episode on something — now you’re asked to audition and do self-tapes just for three scenes. It’s bizarre,” she explained.

Self-tapes allow producers to request auditions from a large number of actors remotely, often asking 50 people or more to submit performances for a single short part. While convenient for casting directors, Giles believes the system has made it harder for actors to stand out. “It’s much harder,” she said, “because before they wouldn’t ask 50 people into an audition room. Now, anyone can send a tape, and it can feel overwhelming.”

Recent Projects and a Return to Emmerdale

Since leaving Emmerdale in 2023, Giles has continued to work on a variety of projects. She recently appeared as Val in the children’s TV show Football Fantastics and filmed the Christmas movie The Secret Santa Project, which has yet to air. Despite these roles, she admits the struggle to find consistent work has been real.

Her return to Emmerdale as Bernice Blackstock will be highly anticipated, especially as she tackles fresh storylines and reconnects with longtime fans of the soap.

Looking Ahead: A Changing Industry

Giles’ remarks underscore broader shifts in the acting world, from celebrity-driven casting to digital audition practices. While some may view influencers and media personalities entering scripted television as innovation, for many trained actors, it represents a growing challenge.

“The business has changed a lot,” she said. For Giles and other professional performers, adapting to this new landscape requires perseverance, versatility, and a willingness to compete in an environment where fame and online presence can sometimes overshadow traditional acting credentials.

For fans of Emmerdale, however, Giles’ return promises a blend of nostalgia and new drama — and her candid comments remind audiences that behind the glamour of television, actors face significant challenges to secure the roles they love.