Listen free for 30 days

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
An Actor's Alphabet cover art

An Actor's Alphabet

Written by: Julie Hesmondhalgh
Narrated by: Julie Hesmondhalgh
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $18.74

Buy Now for $18.74

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

In this candid and empowering A to Z of being an actor, Julie Hesmondhalgh draws on her decades of experience on-stage and screen, including in massively popular television shows such as Broadchurch, Happy Valley and Coronation Street–to lift the lid on the realities of life in today's industry, and show you how to navigate it.

She shares practical advice on preparing for roles (don't be afraid of looking like a jerk), managing the ups and downs of your career (and how to be out of work without losing your mind), dealing with failure (and success), not constantly comparing yourself to others (bloody hard, but try), looking after your mental health, and the power of knowing when to say "no".

Passionate about the arts, she makes a compelling case for their importance to society, but also calls out the industry on where it continues to fall short–including a clear-eyed assessment of what needs to change to make it safer, healthier, more accessible, and inclusive.

Written with refreshing honesty and self-deprecating humour, An Actor's Alphabet is an audiobook for anyone who dreams of becoming an actor, wants to be a better one, or just wants to learn what being one is really like.

©2022 Nick Hern Book (P)2022 Nick Hern Books

What the critics say

"Like its author, this book is brimming with wisdom, intelligence, empathy and humanity... An absolute must!" (Maxine Peake)

"A generous gift to actors, full of honesty, hope and wit. There is loads of tangible advice, not just for acting, but for life." (Anna Jordan)

What listeners say about An Actor's Alphabet

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.