British Child Actors Call Out Equity Union for Neglecting Future Generations: “Young Performers Deserve More Attention”

EXCLUSIVE: The UK Association of Child Actor Agents (AYPA) has criticized the Equity union for failing to prioritize the welfare of child actors, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The AYPA contends that the union has not done enough to address critical issues facing these young performers.

“Despite sustained dialogue, these efforts have produced little tangible change,” the AYPA stated.

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The AYPA labeled Equity’s stance as hypocritical, citing its perceived lack of commitment to improving pay and working conditions for underprivileged child actors. In its research, the AYPA noted that many young performers are being excluded from opportunities. The organization highlighted a poignant example where a theater production of Oliver, adapted from Charles Dickens, reflects the exploitation of children inherent in its narrative.

“The irony is hard to ignore: a story centered on the exploitation and mistreatment of children is being revived under contractual terms that mirror the very issues it portrays,” the AYPA added. “When agents approached Equity for support, the lack of a timely response spoke volumes. The uncomfortable truth is that young performers are simply not a priority for Equity.”

The AYPA identified in-house BBC TV productions and the theater as major areas of concern, arguing that high-budget series and films, particularly from American streaming platforms, tend to offer significantly better pay rates. The organization posits that Equity should negotiate improved compensation for child actors while also advocating for reimbursement of costs incurred by parents, such as travel and accommodation. Recent AYPA research revealed that only two productions in London’s West End provided child actors with a fixed weekly fee for both rehearsal and performance, in contrast to adult actors who receive full pay even if not present for every rehearsal session.

Further complicating the matter is the fact that Equity membership is restricted to individuals over the age of 10, even as many child actors in prominent roles, such as those in Matilda the Musical, are younger.

“If Equity is genuinely committed to tackling inequality, it must extend its focus to include the youngest members of our industry,” the AYPA emphasized. “Addressing systemic barriers for adult artists while leaving children unsupported is not only inconsistent—it perpetuates the very inequities the union claims to challenge.”

In response, an Equity spokeswoman stated that the union “works to improve the pay and working conditions for young performers through our collective agreements,” citing an updated Equity-BBC agreement that mandates child actors receive no less than half the adult pay rate along with entitlements to residuals.

Equity further clarified: “While Equity works to secure improvements for young workers, it’s important to recognise that the rights that child performers have at work take a far different form from the employment rights of adults. It is within this framework that Equity operates.”

This is not the first conflict the AYPA has faced with Equity. Recently, the union lost a legal battle against the casting directory Spotlight regarding fee structures, and the case is set to move to appeals court. Meanwhile, ongoing negotiations with the producer trade body Pact remain unresolved, particularly concerning issues related to artificial intelligence.

Reacting to the AYPA’s criticisms, Equity asserted its commitment to addressing inequalities in the arts, highlighting its successful efforts to remove audition fees and increase access to drama training.

Harry Potter Places Conditions in Spotlight

The AYPA was established by a group of frustrated agents seeking to tackle collective challenges in the child acting sector. Its focus initially centered on local authority licensing but has since expanded in significance, particularly following the HBO Harry Potter series auditions, which drew 30,000 British child actors for just three lead roles.

The AYPA continues to advocate for the welfare of child actors amid rising concerns over the impact of social media and mental health. It has provided a duty of care blueprint to casting agents and reported that the standards for child actor oversight have improved since filming began.

Additionally, the group has endorsed Ariana Grande’s push for mandatory therapy for child actors on set, stemming from her own experiences with intense scrutiny during her early career. “Someone needs to sit down with the parents of a child who is taking a lead role in Harry Potter or Game of Thrones for that general duty of care and to discuss therapy and media training,” the AYPA stated. “These children, especially those in Harry Potter, their whole childhoods change. They can’t just nip to McDonald’s with their friends.”

The AYPA also expressed frustration over instances where child actors discover the exclusion of their scenes only upon attending premieres. “For children who filmed a role in Barbie to go to the premiere, do the red carpet, have their picture taken, sit through the whole film, and realize they’re not in it, is unacceptable,” the AYPA said. “You’d be outraged if that was an adult actor. So why are they doing that to children?”

The AYPA believes that addressing such issues and heeding their demands can elevate the respect afforded to child actors. “Owen Cooper from Adolescence came from one of our members and he’s gone out and won an Emmy,” they noted. “So children are really important in this industry, and it’s about time that this was recognized and they were treated as you’d expect them to be treated. If they’re not properly taken care of, they’re not going to want to stay in the industry as adults.”