ABOUT US
We are a boutique talent agency founded in 2012.
We NAG our actors: Nurture, Advise and Guide!
Esta started her working life as an actress on stage and television, but it wasn’t long before she was drawn behind the scenes, finding her niche as one of the UK’s leading casting directors. Her credits include television series The Professionals, and films Quadrophenia, Scum and the Oscar-winning Chariots of Fire.
With this experience Esta moved into producing. Her first project was the HTV/Goldcrest family drama series Robin of Sherwood. After two series she moved to Central Television to reformat and produce Boon for ITV, watched by over 13 million viewers. From here, Esta produced landmark BBC series Birds of a Feather, Channel 4's cult comedy Nightingales; and BBC sit-com Grown-Ups. She won a British Comedy Award for One Foot in the Grave, and was awarded an honorary degree from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in recognition of her work with students.
Esta puts her success down to many things; getting up early, answering the phone after two rings, and wands of mascara, but most of all to her good fortune in meeting and collaborating with great talent. She lives in west London and lists her hobbies as online shopping, talking, filling in consumer questionnaires. What little spare time she has is taken up with collecting underwear and clothing for an asylum seeker and refugee project.
Esta Charkham - Agent
Dan Caren - Agent
Dan trained as an actor at Arts Ed, and has a number of film and television credits to his name. He has previously worked for BAFTA and at the higher end of hospitality, managing the Chinawhite nightclub.
Dan joined ECA in 2020, and has loved getting stuck in to the other side of the business.
Lucy Walker - Senior Assistant
Lucy studied English literature at Trinity College, Dublin. After graduating in 2017, she spent 3 years working in the learning departments at Dulwich Picture Gallery and the Imperial War Museum, teaching young people and community groups.
Lucy joined ECA in 2021. She lives in south London and in her spare time still teaches the occasional art class.
Shannon Brassil - Assistant
Born in Ireland, Shannon studied English and History at Royal Holloway, University of London before completing her masters in English Literature in 2022. Having spent her childhood performing on stage with the Cork City Ballet, it was after working on the set of an ITV production that she realised her desire to work at a talent agency.
When not assisting Esta, Dan and Lucy, Shannon enjoys anything Pre-Raphaelite and collecting 1960s clothing.
Pipick & Pobble - Welcoming Committee
