Actors for Psychological Drama Thriller “By the Book”

Mid 20s. LEAD. An optimistic, ambitious perfectionist who has always believed she can work her way into the life she wants. Growing up with a hardworking single mom who is a lawyer, she’s convinced there’s a right way to succeed, and she’s determined to figure it out. She’s organized, prepared, and always three steps ahead, but underneath that confidence is an almost obsessive need to control every outcome. When something doesn’t go according to her plan, Jackie doesn’t know how to let it go.

A charismatic, overconfident interviewer who’s difficult to read and immediately makes Jackie nervous. He’s confident, composed, and seemingly has complete control of the room. To Jackie, he’s sitting in the exact position she’s spent years working toward, which makes every interaction feel bigger than just an interview. As the day repeats, she becomes increasingly fixated on him, studying his reactions and trying to figure out exactly what he wants from her.

Mid 40s. Jackie’s hardworking, Type A mother who has built her life around providing for her two kids and teaching them the value of hard work. A lawyer and single mom, Lisa keeps everything running like clockwork, from breakfast every morning to noticing when something is off with her kids. She pushes Jackie because she sees her potential and genuinely wants the best for her, but her high expectations have created a slight distance between them.