Petiniot __hot__: Joelle

Let’s change that today. Let’s talk about . Who is Joelle Petiniot? For those unfamiliar, Joelle Petiniot is a French-born, New York-based casting director and producer. While her filmography includes work on independent films and other television projects, her most significant (and criminally under-discussed) contribution was to The OA (Parts I & II).

Do you know of other unsung casting directors who changed a show for the better? Let me know in the comments below. #TheOA #JoellePetiniot #CastingDirector #UnsungHeroes #BritMarling #BehindTheScenes joelle petiniot

That is Petiniot’s signature.

Joelle Petiniot is not a household name. She does not have a Wikipedia page filled with awards. But if you have ever cried during the cafeteria scene in Part I, or felt chills during the Octopus’s speech in Part II, you have felt her work. Let’s change that today

Petiniot reportedly auditioned over 1,200 actors for the role of Buck Vu alone. When she found Ian Alexander (then a complete unknown), she fought for him against executives who wanted a more “established” name. That single decision—that quiet, stubborn insistence—gave us one of the first transgender Asian-American characters on a major streaming series, played by a trans actor with breathtaking authenticity. Since The OA was controversially canceled in 2019, Petiniot has largely stepped back from the Hollywood limelight. She has pivoted toward producing micro-budget independent films in upstate New York and teaching masterclasses on “Humanistic Casting.” For those unfamiliar, Joelle Petiniot is a French-born,