DEMAND for 'extras' to appear on shows such as Game of Thrones and Line of Duty has seen one northern company expand into the Republic.
The Extras Dept held its first open casting event in Dublin on Saturday in a bid to capture the "rich vein of talent that exists across the island of Ireland".
In business for 10 years, it already has more than 17,000 registered extras on its books, aged from two to 90.
It has provided thousands of background actors for national and international productions such as BBC's The Fall and HBO's Game of Thrones.
Spokeswoman Emma Sweeney said: "The screen industries in the north and south have grown significantly in recent years and the Extras Dept has mirrored this growth as it's sought to meet the industry's evolving needs.
"Our film production clients are increasingly asking us to help them fill their extras roles in the Republic of Ireland, in the same way that we do in Northern Ireland.
"Our innovative paperless casting system will help minimise geographical issues that may have presented some challenges in the past.
"It's an exciting time for The Extras Dept and we're looking forward to working with clients right across the island of Ireland."
