We’re a fiercely independent talent agency committed to incredible creative work across all corners of the entertainment industry.

With collaboration at our heart, we connect talented and committed professionals to the most rewarding and impactful projects.

We nurture rare, exceptional and unique talent. We're not just a one trick pony, and neither are you.

We nurture rare, exceptional and unique talent. We're not just a one trick pony, and neither are you.

  • “They did some incredible things that prepared me really well.” Adeel Akhtar

  • JUST ANNOUNCED: Adeel Akhtar nominated for a Royal Television Society Award in the Leading Actor category for Showtrial S2.

  • The Cherry Orchard opens at St. Ann's Warehouse in NYC on 30th March after rave reviews at the Donmar. Starring Adeel Akhtar & Sarah Amankwah.

  • "I know they are taking care of all the contracts and negotiations and hard work, but they never let me worry, and they never let me feel like I’m saying or doing the wrong thing.” Bronté Barbé (starring in Kathy & Stella Solve A Murder in the West End)

  • Idriss Kargbo attending the world premiere of Disney's Snow White in which he plays 'Bingley'. In Cinemas March 21st

  • THERE’S NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL. ACTORS AREN’T ALL THE SAME, AND WE WON’T TREAT YOU LIKE YOU ARE.

  • "It’s not just about getting the job. They listen to what you want from your career and then help you try and get it. They’ve helped me have a career. They fight for their actors’ money, their profile, and their careers." Mark Bonnar

  • "The confidence I get from knowing they have my back completely, that they are taking care of my career, means I can just focus on my work" Zak Ford-Williams (as Richard III Lyric Belfast Theatre)

  • Matthew Steer as series regular Goodhap in Disney+'s Shardlake.

  • Annie Kingsnorth stars as Margaret More in A Man for All Seasons, Bath Theatre Royal playing until 15 March.

  • WE’RE AGILE, WE’RE DYNAMIC AND WE’RE PUTTING OUR CLIENTS INTO PROJECTS THEY LOVE.

  • Rob Houchen stars as Jack in the Olivier Award-nominated West End production Titanique, on now at the Criterion London.

  • Agents Leah, James & Aileen at the BAFTAs 2023

  • “They don't let anything slide. Knowing someone has your back fully is so reassuring." Isobel Thom

  • Lewis Reeves in the iconic, multi-award winning I May Destroy You (BBC).

  • James Bamford, star of crime drama The Red King (UKTV/Alibi).

  • We are delighted to have signed Harry Baxendale, who already has an impressive CV, including The Radleys (Sky/Genesis) in which he plays the young lead Rowan.

From dynamic stage and screen actors to talent that write, create and produce, the McEwan & Penford creative fold is sharp, versatile and diverse.

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PHOEBE WALLER-BRIDGE in the multi award winning international hit Fleabag (BBC / Amazon / Edinburgh Fringe Festival / Soho Theatre)

WHAT WE DO

Threading the needle through the theatre, TV, film and modern media platforms, we curate successful careers in the arts that give the best and most rewarding results.

Our talent collective includes some of the most vibrant and friendly actors working in theatre, TV and film, but the McEwan & Penford fold runs much deeper, working with creatives that write, produce, compose and direct.

MEET OUR TEAM

Aileen McEwan COMPANY DIRECTOR & AGENT

James Penford COMPANY DIRECTOR & AGENT

Leah Sheshadri AGENT

We limit our client list to exceptional talent in order to help each individual develop and grow so that they can enjoy a broad, multifaceted career. We provide opportunities and empower our clients to make the right decisions and to hold fast and believe in themselves.

Our clients speak to us not to assistants. We know who they are and what they want and need. In that way we create the building blocks for a successful enduring career.

We don’t just book jobs, we nurture careers.

We are members of the Personal Managers Association, of which James is co-chair and works tirelessly for best practice in the industry. We are also members of BAFTA & Soho House.

We work with teams in Los Angeles including United Talent Agency, Anonymous Content Management, agency Nicolosi & Co, media & entertainment lawyers Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole LLP and Ziffren Brittenham LLP.

Behind the scenes we are supported by our accountants Clay GBP and our book-keeping team at Joshua Leigh & Co.

We create pathways to all corners of the industry, forge collaborations and push the boundaries of what’s possible in the arts.

Free from the restrictions of big corporations, McEwan & Penford has been able to use its agile approach to secure the brightest, most rewarding opportunities for our clients and send them all over the world.

Founded in 1988 by Stephen Hatton who launched and nurtured the careers of Scottish legend Mark Bonnar and British legends Kathy Burke and Marianne Jean-Baptiste, this fiery little agency has years of experience in helping talent to grow, develop and thrive.

With us you are already on a shortlist.

LIFE IN THE STUDIO

Nestled just a stone’s throw away from the River Thames, McEwan & Penford’s studio is just off Bermondsey Street, by London Bridge. It’s here we orchestrate our operations, driving projects and deals forward through nurture, collaboration and scrupulous attention to detail.

Across media landscapes and time zones, we’re here to uphold our commitment to story-telling that resonates in the most profound and enduring ways.

NOT JUST A ONE TRICK PONY

 

CLIENT & WINS NOMINATIONS

BAFTA/Emmy/Oscar/Other Screen

38

Olivier/Tony/Grammy/Other Stage

24

REPRESENTATION: mceprep@gmail.com

Please direct fan mail by post including a S.A.E.

Image Credits: Adeel Akhtar (Showtrial) World Productions/ BBC, Adeel Akhtar (The Cherry Orchard), Adeel Akhtar - Sarah Creswell, Johan Persson, Mark Bonnar - The Herald/ Pip, Rob Houchen (Titanique) Mark Senior, Bronté Barbé (Kathy & Stella) - Pamela Raith, Matthew Steer (Shardlake) Disney, Annie Kingsnorth (A Man for All Seasons) Simon Annand, Isobel Thom - Sarah Creswell, Harry Baxendale - Zoe Birkbeck, Zak Ford-Williams (Richard III) Johnny Frazer, James Bamford (The Red King) UKTV/Alibi/ Quay Street Productions, Elijah Young (Smoggie Queens) Hat Trick/ BBC, Lewis Reeves (I might Destroy You) BBC, Idriss Kargbo (Snow White) - Idriss Kargbo, Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) BBC/ Amazon 'Rubbish Portraits' - Lucie Sheridan