A co-star is a small TV role, often a few lines, usually hired and paid by the day. A guest star is a bigger role in a single episode, hired on a contract that pays a set fee for the whole episode no matter how many days you work. Kym, two casting directors and our guest experts answer the rest across more than 20 videos in our library, from what "recurring" means to when to stop going out for co-stars.
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Both are TV contract terms, not just descriptions of size. Kym explains that a co-star can be booked for as many days as the show needs and is paid per day worked. A guest star is hired on a major role contract that pays one fee for the episode, whether you shoot one day or the whole episode schedule. There's also a one-day guest star deal for roles that shoot in a single day.
Because a full guest star fee costs more, Kym notes that a role that only works two or three days is often booked as a co-star instead, even when it's a solid part.
On a SAG-AFTRA show, the minimums from 1 July 2026 in the union's 2026-30 wage tables are $1,283 a day for a day performer (most co-stars) and, for a major role or "top of show" guest star, $7,057 an episode on a half-hour show and $11,290 on a one-hour show. These are floors as of October 2026; your agent can negotiate above them. Our SAG-AFTRA rates 2026 page has the full table.
Recurring simply means your character appears in more than one episode. There's no separate recurring contract: you're still hired as a co-star or a guest star each time. Kym points out that technically a co-star who appears in two episodes is recurring too, but on a resume "recurring" usually suggests a recurring guest star, so be accurate about which you were.
Series regulars are on an ongoing contract with the show. The leads, anywhere from one to about six or seven actors on a typical series, are in every episode and carry most of the story. A series regular appears in many or most episodes, sometimes with only a scene or two, and may skip some episodes entirely.
On a TV resume, the billing comes from your contract: co-star, guest star, recurring, series regular or lead. If you booked a co-star with big, meaty scenes, Kym says you can ask casting, through your rep, whether it's okay to bill it as a guest star, but never do it without permission.
Pilots that didn't go to series still belong on your resume, because booking a pilot is a strong signal. Web series should be marked as web series. Kym's rule for everything else: amplify, don't fabricate. Our acting resume format page shows the layout.
Far more submit than audition. Casting director John Frank Levey told us he can get over 2,000 submissions for a four-line part. Casting director Lisa Zambetti described going through a couple of thousand submissions per role, pre-reading around 50 actors, and showing producers seven to nine. Kate Dennis said the smallest roles might still see a dozen or more tested, depending on network, time and money.
The takeaway: a co-star audition is already a win, and the room is small by the time producers see it.
Kym's approach: build the character as if they were the lead of their own story, then treat this scene as their easy day. A waiter with one line still had a morning, a mood and an opinion. That gives the moment specificity without overplaying it or pulling focus from the leads, which are the two most common traps with small roles.
Later than you think. One of our guest experts warns that one or two guest star credits don't make you a guest star actor yet, and telling your reps you'll only go out for guest stars can box you in. Guest stars, on the other hand, are worth going out for at almost every level.
Some actors with guest star credits do choose to stop reading for co-stars, accepting fewer auditions for bigger ones. That's a strategic call to make with your agent and manager, not a rule.
It's common. Anthony Brandon Wong told us the problem is usually the mindset, not the role: he has loved co-star days because he went in excited to be on that set. Tanny Jiraprapasuke frames each one as a small step towards the bigger goal. Another of our experts suggests remembering how thrilled you were to get your very first co-star audition.
A co-star is a small TV role, often a few lines, usually hired as a day performer and paid for each day worked.
A co-star is paid by the day. A guest star is a bigger role on a major role contract that pays one fee for the episode, however many days you shoot.
On a SAG-AFTRA show, the day performer minimum is $1,283 a day from 1 July 2026. Agents can negotiate above that.
Recurring means your character appeared in more than one episode. It isn't a separate contract; you are still a co-star or guest star each time.
No. Leads are in every episode and carry the story. Series regulars appear in many or most episodes, sometimes with only a scene or two.
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