British Casting Directors Warned Over Controversial Bust Measurements Taken From Actresses — Issue Originally Raised by ‘Midsomer Murders’ Star Kirsty Dillon

British casting directors are facing renewed criticism after concerns were raised about the practice of asking actresses for bust or bra measurements during casting. The issue was brought back into public discussion by actress Kirsty Dillon, known for her role in Midsomer Murders, who says the problem is still happening despite earlier promises to stop it.

Dillon played Detective Constable Gail Stephens in 24 episodes of Midsomer Murders before leaving the show in 2010. She first raised her concerns in 2023 through industry channels. At that time, she reported that casting directors were asking for bra size details before she had even been offered a role. According to her, she raised the issue with the actors’ union Equity and the Casting Directors Association (CDA), both of which told her they would work to end such requests.

However, Dillon says the situation has not fully changed. Speaking to Deadline, she explained that she still sees similar questions appearing on casting forms today, especially in advertising work. She described one example from late last year where a casting form asked for “bust/chest size,” with an example given as “32B.” The question was marked as required for applicants.

Dillon said she had never seen this type of request in film or television roles, but said it is still common in commercial casting. The presence of the question has continued to worry her, both professionally and personally.

She explained that the issue is not just about casting information, but about how it affects performers emotionally. Dillon said, “There was a 15-year period of my career where I was being harassed by three men. When I used to see that [bust size] question on paper, all those trauma symptoms would come flooding back. It was a reminder that my body wasn’t mine.”

She added, “When I see the question now, it makes me feel angry, disempowered, and depressed. But I don’t feel frightened anymore because I have healed, and I’ve stood up and asked important questions.”

Dillon also said that when she first raised concerns, she was not immediately taken seriously. She later pushed the issue further, and Equity sought legal advice. The union was told that collecting intimate body measurements before someone is hired could raise problems under data protection rules. Equity said that personal data must be relevant and limited to what is necessary, and it is difficult to justify asking for such details at early casting stages.

Equity has since taken a stronger public position. A spokesperson told Deadline, “Equity believes that in the majority of cases, asking performers for details about intimate measurements, such as their bust size, is not only unnecessary but overly intrusive and potentially harmful.”

The union added that there are limited cases where sizing information may be needed, such as costume fittings or specific commercial requirements, but said this should not happen during early casting stages. It also said actors should never be penalised for choosing not to provide such information.

The Casting Directors Association, which represents casting professionals mainly in advertising, also responded. It said it has updated its guidance and encourages more neutral language in forms. It stated that actors are not required to provide intimate measurements and that this information should always be voluntary.

The CDA explained, “The Casting Directors Association is committed to best practice throughout the casting process. We recommend requesting gender-neutral sizing information on casting forms for the first round of casting and at recall stage.”

It also said that in some commercial work, wardrobe teams may need sizing details to help prepare costumes and fittings. However, it stressed that actors can leave these fields blank if they prefer, and their application will not be affected.

Despite these statements, Dillon believes the issue has not been fully resolved. She argues that even gender-neutral wording does not remove pressure on actors, who may feel forced to provide personal measurements in order to stay competitive. She also raised concerns about how sensitive data is stored and shared within the industry.

Dillon said she worries that many performers still feel they cannot refuse without risking future roles. She believes the system creates an uneven pressure that affects actors, especially women, during the early stages of casting.

She has also taken her concerns beyond the entertainment industry, raising them with UK policymakers, including former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. Dillon continues to advocate for clearer rules and a full end to the practice of requesting intimate measurements during casting.

Her acting career includes roles in MotherFatherSon and Holby City, and she has also worked in theatre and audio drama. But for her, this issue remains ongoing and unresolved, and she continues to speak out in hopes of changing casting practices across the industry.

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