Matt Lander made the move to the US aged just 18 to study at Pepperdine University in California before going on to work in the film and TV industry in Los Angeles.
Mr Lander, who was head boy at King Charles I School before leaving in 2009, has now been nominated for an EMMY Award for his role as a casting director on the limited series ‘All Her Fault’, starring Sarah Snook and Dakota Fanning.
The 35-year-old said: “I was at the gym when I found out. The head of studio casting text me to tell me the news. The nominations are announced on a live stream from 8am on the day and I was trying not to look. It was a really lovely surprise.
“I sort of fell into the industry. I went to Comberton Primary and then King Charles I School, but I always knew that I wanted to experience something different. I applied to university in America and ended up studying something in healthcare in California. When you start living in LA, you realise that so many people have connections to the film industry.
“I made friends who were in the industry and I just knew I wanted to be part of it too. I started out in various jobs from production assistant to casting assistant and eventually I became a casting director.”
Matt Lander (Image: Supplied)
Mr Lander has worked on several projects over the years, including as a casting director for the comedy series ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ created by David E. Kelley for Apple TV, with four episodes directed by the BAFTA, EMMY and IFTA award-winning Dearbhla Walsh.
Other work includes the Legally Blonde prequel ‘Elle’ for Amazon TV, ‘The Five Star Weekend’ for Sky TV starring Jennifer Garner, Chloe Sevingy, Gemma Chan and Regina Hall, and ‘The Good Daughter’ due to be released later this year for Sky TV starring Rose Byrne, Meghann Fahy and Brendan Gleeson.
Mr Lander regularly collaborates and casts alongside fellow nominee David Rubin, and casts the majority of Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon’s self-generated shows.
He will be the casting director for season three of Big Little Lies, which stars both actresses.
He said: “I’ve always tried to govern my life by not thinking too much about what might happen in the future. I’ve tried to focus on what is happening right now and on working really hard. When I left the UK at 18, I wasn’t really daunted by it as I wasn’t looking too far ahead. That would have been quite scary.
“I still have pinch-me moments when I’m working on a project, and I have to stop and think am I really doing this? One of those was working alongside David Rubin on the Spinal Tap sequel. It was directed by Rob Reiner, who is someone I’d always admired in the industry. It was such an eye-opening experience and really surreal. It was a real honour to cast for his last film.”
Mr Lander, whose dad Martin played for Kidderminster Harriers, said he has fond memories of his time growing up in Kidderminster and hopes that one day he will relocate back to the town.
The EMMY Award winners will be announced in a ceremony in LA in September.
Mr Lander said: “I’d love to move back to Kidderminster full-time. I absolutely love living in LA, but they say home is where the heart is. My parents are getting older and I’d love to spend more time with my siblings and nephews.
“No matter where I live, there is nowhere in the world that comes close to Kidderminster and the people in the community. As a freelancer, it can be challenging to find time to get back as I never quite know where the next role might take me, but I do really love Kidderminster.
“My family have been a great support and were really proud when I told them about the nomination. I’m trying not to think too far ahead about the awards ceremony, but it is great to have my hard work recognised and I feel very lucky to be able to collaborate with such wonderful filmmakers.”