If you’ve ever been watching Coronation Street and wondered who the unfamiliar faces are in the Rovers, at a wedding, or a funeral, it’s likely they’re background artists, paid to fill out the cast.
Background artists, or extras, are essential to soaps to make sure the pub looks crowded, and parties and celebrations seem well-attended.
Read more: What happens on the Coronation Street tour?
So is it easy to get work as a soap extra?
Coronation Street don’t advertise for background artists, instead they use talent agencies.
Anyone wanting to be a Corrie extra must have an agent to book the job for them. Mint Casting is one such agency.
If you wish to apply, their website states you need to have a DBS certificate, two full free days between Monday and Friday, be “fine with early starts and long days” be “punctual” and “have an excellent attitude and the ability to work as a team member, and preferably own and drive your own vehicle.”
If you apply and are deemed suitable, the company will invite you for an interview at their offices in Manchester, then arrange to take portfolio pictures and then add you to their books.
Another agency representing talent is Nemesis Casting They require all supporting artists to be 17 or over, be available at least four full days a week Monday to Friday, have a DBS certificate, and access to reliable transport.
They also say days can be very long so anyone applying must be prepared for that.
The Liverpool Echo quoted Julie Holt from the casting department of Nemesis as saying:
“We are always looking out for reliable people who live in Liverpool! Call times can be as early as 6am so that is why we insist on reliable transport.”
Although payment is top secret, a 2016 report in The Sun stated an extra gets paid £84 per day for a part in which they don’t speak.
Taking their figures from the Film Artistes Association they said that pay changes according to what the extra is required to do.
An extra £50.50 is reportedly added for speaking a line, and £30.50 for a special reaction, such as a surprised face.
The added cost might explain why one Corrie extra was caught out looking bored earlier this year!
In a scene in which the Nazirs gave a statement regarding the death of mechanic Luke Britton, many extras clamoured round the front of the house playing press.
But one photographer in particular was called out for looking bored to tears during the scenes.
One viewer wrote on Twitter: “I love her vacant facial expression while she repeatedly taps her finger! Brilliant!”
While another ordered her to win the Best Actress Oscar – we think they were being sarcastic!
So it seems being an extra doesn’t come without it’s criticisms too!
And it also doesn’t necessarily stop you having to deal with fame in a similar way to the main cast members.
In February 2017, Jennie McAlpine’s Fiz Stape was addressing a factory colleague by the name of Dirk, and many fans believe she’d slipped up and had meant to say Kirk – the character name of long-time cast mate Andy Whyment.
But in fact, Dirk is another knicker stitcher who’s been on Corrie for over 10 years!
Played by Adam Blease, the funny fan reaction led to Twitter hashtag #Dirknotkirk starting, and even actress Sally Ann Matthews (Jenny Bradley) got involved.
Ahead of tonight's #Corrie here is an important reminder. Dirk on the left, Kirk on the right. Spread the word to help others x #DirkNotKirk pic.twitter.com/v8B6nf7AAE
— Sally Ann Matthews (@SallyAnMatthews) February 3, 2017
Read more: Where is Coronation Street set?
Other notable Corrie extras include married couple Joel David and Maureen Seaberg.
According to The Sun, they’ve featured on the Street since applying to be extras in 1973, popping up in storylines such as Roy Cropper and Cathy Matthews wedding-that-never-was.