Next Stop Hollywood Season 1 Episodes

Episode 1

Week One

Hollywood is the worldwide epicenter of fame and ground zero for every actor's dreams. But it is also a city that is both tough and uncompromising. Ninety-eight percent of actors who go to Hollywood won't fulfill their dreams. NEXT STOP HOLLYWOOD charts all the excitement, frustrations, fears and tears of six Aussie actors as they compete for roles during the frenzied US TV pilot season. Craig Anderson, 35 (NSW); Michael Clarke-Tokely, 22 (VIC); Alycia Debnam-Carey, 18 (NSW); HaiHa Le, 29 (VIC); Penelope Mitchell, 22 (VIC); and Luke Pegler, 30 (NSW) allow the cameras to follow their every move as they pursue their dreams of fame and fortune. Facing judgment and rejection on a daily basis, these six young actors open their lives and hearts to the cameras. Some have come to LA fully connected to the industry with representation from agents or managers in place. Others are on the fringe and need to get connected quickly if they are to have a shot. Some are facing their past demons and others are simply staking their claim in a town where it is so easy to be passed over. From January to April, the US studios cast many of their test TV programs, mainly in LA. This frenzied period is known as pilot season and Hollywood is abuzz with hundreds of roles up for grabs. Thousands of actors line up each day outside casting agents' doors, hoping for favorable auditions. NEXT STOP HOLLYWOOD charts the ups and downs of pilot season, and takes a broad swipe at the myth of the overnight success story.

Episode 2

Week Two

Week two in Hollywood for the six Aussie actors seeking fame and fortune. After The Carrie Diaries audition at Warner Bros, Alycia is asked to audition for an independent feature film, a thriller set in the Amish community. With the experience of getting evicted from top Hollywood agency CAA last week, Craig is quickly learning that it is all about who you know in Hollywood. Luke has had only one audition since arriving. Although positive, he candidly admits his past mistakes during previous pilot seasons where he partied too hard. Michael meets with his US agent and is optimistic about getting auditions. He and Luke go 'out on the town' that night. HaiHa opens up about her fears. She is worried about her manager's ability to get her auditions, ageism in Hollywood, the superficiality of acting and the sacrifices she has had to make. She talks about her departure from the Jehovah's Witness Church as a teenager, which caused a major rift in her family. Penelope still hasn't made a decision about which agent to go with and gets some tough advice from a family friend. Michael and HaiHa attend the inaugural international AACTA awards. Craig is on the other side of the red carpet interviewing celebrities as they arrive to get some advice on 'making it' in LA. He chats to Meryl Streep who gives some amusing advice and tips.

Episode 3

Week Three

Week three in Hollywood for the six Aussie actors seeking fame and fortune. Penelope finally makes a decision about an agent and starts auditioning. First up is for a role in a feature film directed by Jeff Probst, host of the Survivor TV series. Michael gets Penelope to help him make an audition tape for a role in Boardwalk Empire. Luke is finding it hard to get auditions but remains optimistic. After a frustrating meeting with her manager, HaiHa finally gets a call about an audition for a pilot. She is ecstatic and celebrates with a hike in the Hollywood Hills. Meanwhile, Craig gets into the LA lifestyle and begins a juice cleanse diet. He also meets Tropfest founder and feature director John Polson who gives him some sound advice about getting noticed in Hollywood. Craig takes the advice and ends up starring in an obscure, oddball online film from a director called Scum.

Episode 4

Week Four

28 mins

Week four in Hollywood for the six Aussie actors seeking fame and fortune. The Hollywood heat surrounding Alycia continues to radiate. In only four weeks in Hollywood, she has landed on the short list for The Carrie Diaries and has been offered a lead role in a feature film. Penelope is going to auditions daily and is excited about one particular project, a remake of Beauty and the Beast. Craig gets into the LA comedy scene and is excited that he is doing the same improv comedy classes that inspired his comedy heroes Steve Carell, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey and Zach Galifianakis. Things have picked up for HaiHa and she has her first audition this pilot season. Michael is being considered for lead roles in big budget features, including the Evil Dead franchise. But it's a catch-22 because the feedback he gets is that he's too green for a role of that size. Meanwhile Luke admits that anxiety and stress got the better of him at a particular audition. In a candid moment he has a meltdown while being interviewed and walks off. But he recovers from this incident and cooks a meal for his fellow cast members, one of whom announces some exciting news.

Episode 5

Week Five

Week five in Hollywood for the six Aussie actors seeking fame and fortune. Alycia is excited. Not only has she scored the lead in a feature film after only being in Hollywood for a few short weeks, but she is now about to be flown to Canada to meet the director. Luke is at the gym and is candid about his lack of success in this pilot season. Although happy for Alycia scoring her role, he cannot but reflect on his own lack of success and realises that time is running out and he will have to raise the bar. He auditions for a pilot, executive produced by Natalie Portman. After some close calls with series castings and lead actor auditions for major feature films like Evil Dead and Die Hard 5, Michael is now feeling disheartened that he is not getting much traction. Craig's hire car is involved in a bingle. He later realises it's been hit by the producer of World's Worst Drivers. Keen to chase down any jobs, he phones him up and offers his services as an actor. HaiHa gets an audition for a new series from the producers of Scrubs and her boyfriend arrives to visit from Australia. The cast have drinks for Alycia, who is about to leave for rehearsals for her film in North Carolina.

Episode 6

Week Six

The Final week in Hollywood for the six Aussie actors seeking fame and fortune. It is Hollywood's night-of-nights, the Oscars. Penelope and Michael check out some of the screening parties happening around town. Alycia is on set filming The Occult in North Carolina. The thriller also stars Rufus Sewell, who plays Alycia's on-screen father. It is decision time for the other actors. Do they stay in LA or go back home? HaiHa's boyfriend returns to Melbourne leaving her concerned about the sacrifices she is making for her career. She still wants to find an LA agent. Michael wants to return to Australia to start university, however his manager wants him to stay. Luke has a test-deal for the pilot of Scruples and is committed to giving it his best shot. Craig has an unexpected meeting with a Hollywood agent, which causes a major rift with the production team. Penelope also gets a test-deal with a Netflix series called Hemlock Grove, to be directed by Eli Roth.