Dial 0 is an anthology series - with the exception of The Operator, all roles will only appear in one episode out of ten total.
Synopsis
Dial 0 is a sci-fi audio drama that drops listeners into the surreal world of a cosmic call center — where the Operator’s job is anything but ordinary. She’s tasked with connecting the people in her files to the one person they most need to speak with... even if that person exists light-years away, in another timeline, or in a reality they’ve never dared imagine.
With every call, she must gently steer her subjects toward the truth they’re avoiding, patch their connection across time and space, and somehow keep “customer satisfaction” high. Easy, right? Not when she’s brand new, the universe is unpredictable, and the calls get more complicated by the minute.
Dial 0 is a story about connection, fate, and the impossible conversations we’re all terrified to have.
Project Details
My name is Ali, and I'm one of the creators of Dial 0. Our team consists of PJ, Kate, and Tess: an Emmy Award winning sound designer and three award winning writers. We've been working on this labor of love for the better part of a year and a half and are so excited to finally see it come to life.
Because Dial 0 is a passion project, it is currently unpaid. We encourage you to submit for roles that may be a stretch or fill a gap in your reel/portfolio. And please submit to any and all of the roles that call to you.
We will be recording in mid March in a home studio in Los Angeles, so local submissions may be prioritized. HOWEVER: please don't let this discourage you from submitting. We can be flexible and willing to work with the right person based on the role.
Thanks again everyone for your support on Dial 0! We are currently going through recordings and have closed a few roles based on the number of submissions that we've received. Our deadline is still the 25th EOD PST, so if you'd like to submit something make sure to do so beforehand!
Thank you again! Feel free to comment or message if you have any questions.
Hi everyone! Thank you so much for all your submissions so far - we can't tell you how much it means to us that folks are interested in this story and these characters. We are slowly going through submissions and hope to have casting done by the end of this month.
As a reminder, we're trying to prioritize LA/SoCal locals as much as we can because we're planning on recording in person. However - there are some characters that could be recorded remotely, and we're willing to work with the right person depending on the role.
Thanks again everyone!
A little naive, the Operator is relatively new to her position. She is awkward as she finds her footing, but absorbs everything she observes during her calls. Her main objective is to be constantly learning and evolving. There is a curiosity within her that is her main drive and her biggest asset when facing a setback.
I am the operator. Where can I connect your call?...There is no charge associated with this call.
Belief is a tricky thing. It's one of the few constructs in the universe that is almost entirely self-fulfilling.
I don't seem to have "the terminator" in my dictionary.
Murphy is a native New Yorker who has just realized that the life she thought she wanted, isn’t at all what she needs. A little frantic and lost, she uses her call to call the people who know her best.
While a New York accent (any burrough) is preferred, it's not a hard requirement!
Well, as long as he doesn't build the whole thing around some guy who buys bottle service for a table of girls he doesn't know on New Year's Eve.
And he venmo'd me $75 to order food for myself as an apology.
I was blind. And broke. And nauseous.
The owner of Greek restaurant Spitis, Mama is a Greek mother through and through. She’s always oscillating between the phone, the host stand, and the kitchen — playing Chef, hostess, and mother to everyone who steps foot through her doors.
Murphy you tell me what is happening right now.
I do not know. I was asking myself the same when you moved out.
You are hungry, I can hear it from here.
Mama’s oldest child, Nick is quiet but strong. He has taken over the role of the patriarch in their family and takes this role very seriously. He wants to look after everyone, but does so from a distance.
Murphy? Is she okay?
Mama give me the phone.
I'm leaving now. Just stay on the phone.
The baby of the family, Julius is your typical teenager. He’s barely engaged in what’s happening around him and is desperately looking forward to getting away from his family.
Spítis, what can we get you?
Oh. Hey. You want to order something?
Just come take the phone please!
Bright and warm, Emma is a London-based actress who just got her big break. She is excitable and eager to learn, looking for guidance wherever she can get it.
While a british accent (any region) is preferred, it is not a strict requirement. We are open to any interpretations.
Great! Did we get an answer on possibly speaking with Theresa? Since she originated the role, I think it would-
Oh! Right! Sorry! I was just on the phone with my agent, funnily enough I actually talked to him about possibly setting up some time to talk with you, but I was running for my train, tripped, and my phone slipped underneath-
Still, your performance is the heart of the show. It's the only reason the show was popular enough to warrant a revival.
Dignified and reserved, Theresa is a well established, beloved, Spanish actress. She is wary of new people, having grown used to people’s ulterior motives, but she still deeply loves her craft.
A Spanish accent is a requirement for this role.
Although, are you sure I won't cloud your interpretation? She is a unique character.
Well then it is very shrewd to try and understand the source material.
Precisely. Another question I asked was "What would happen if my star started blinking?" right before her final goodbye to the space in the sky where her favorite star had been.
A Scottish terrier, Pebbles, would love nothing more than for his owner, Duncan, to never return home. Filled with the rage of a dog that wants to be king of the castle, he despises all children, including the one he was raised alongside with. Imagine a Scottish Frank from It’s Always Sunny.
While this role was written with a Scottish accent in mind, it is not an requirement and we are open to other interpretations.
I know your voice. You're shitstain's friend! You threw up in my water bowl last summer. If you ever show your face in my home again, I'll bite your fucking nuts off! Now put that stupid-
...and you know what, Duncan? I'm glad you're gone! I get the whole damn bed and I don't have to smell your shitstained butt.
On what should be the biggest day of his career, Richard can’t stop thinking about his old “rival.” Richard knew Franklin throughout undergrad, law school, and then as associates at a big law firm in Miami. He may be sitting in his brand new corner office, but mentally he’s stuck in the past.
I know you saw today's verdict on the Paretzi murder trial — my case. I haven't heard about any of your cases, still playing in the minor leagues?
That's what ever loser says. "Quitting was the best thing I ever did." Yeah right.
That's not how it works sweetheart. You're an operator. You connect as many calls as I ask. So, please, just re-dial the number before I get your supervisor involved.
A self-assured, family man, Franklin tried the high pressure, big-law route and found nothing of substance in it. He grew up, came out, moved to San Francisco and started his whole life over. Now in his late 40s, Franklin does not spend much time worrying about what anyone else thinks of him and certainly doesn’t think about the Miami chapter of his life.
Right, which is why you're calling someone you haven't spoken to in 20 years, on what I'm guessing, is the biggest day of your career? Didn't have anyone else, huh?
You self obsessed blowhard. The fact that you think me leaving Miami, starting my life over, and leaving law behind had anything to do with you proves that you haven't changed at all.
You're playing a game by yourself and calling yourself a winner. I can't think of anything more embarrassing.
A hot mess, Jo can’t help but act on emotion and impulse. She wants a big life, a full life, but in her chase for novelty she has broken a lot of rules, promises, and hearts. After a particularly bad first date, she reaches out to someone she misses — but she might not be very missed herself.
Just because I broke up with you doesn't mean I don't care about you.
I never lied to *you*, D. I might've made promises I couldn't keep-
Just because you're an anti-social, control-freak-
A 3rd grade teacher in her mid 50s, Cherly is a warm but frank woman. She doesn’t pull her punches, but she doesn’t throw her full weight behind them either. Her goal as a teacher, regardless of the age of the student, is to lead them to their own answer rather than giving them one.
About the same as always. A couple of troubled kids. More than a couple of overbearing parents. But all in all, a pretty good group.
It's a natural question. And the worst one you could ask because there is no answer. But, if you spend this time trying to find one, you are going to do your class, yourself, and Marcus a disservice.
You're a good teacher, Taylor. Your class is in good hands. You'll find a way through this together.
A devoted student and son, Ben wants to so badly be accepted by his family for everything he has accomplished. But his father, a NASA scientist on the ISS, casts a long shadow. Much to his father’s disdain, Ben has no interest in following his footsteps. After months of not hearing from his dad, Ben is feeling particularly vexed, so when the Operator appears on his line, he knows exactly who he wants to reach.
I mean, yeah. But he hasn't exactly wanted to talk to me...Actually, I don't think I should do this. You can cancel the connection. I'll just hang up and-
You're still calling Ryan? I haven't heard from you in 6 months and I just figured you were busy and connection was bad, but you've been calling Ryan this whole time?
Because I feel like you don't care! And I want you to care. God, Dad I want you to care so badly.
Chris is a very strict and accomplished man. He has devoted his life to pioneering a new agricultural era in space and expects his sons to follow in his footsteps. Ben, however, is far more interested in working on Earth and developing ways to reform current agricultural approaches. So naturally, Chris is doing what he does best and avoiding his second son altogether. He’d avoid everything that doesn’t align with his vision if he could. But, his youngest son is very hard to ignore.
You've somehow connected to the International Space Station and as a result are breaking international law, so yes I care very much.
I'm on trial for giving an interview? You do understand the work that I'm doing up here could change the very trajectory of mankind, right Benjamin? You understand that I am on the cutting edge of the next evolution of humanity?
Once again, you are breaking international law to talk about your feelings? You're risking everything you've worked for AND everything I'VE worked for, to tell me you don't feel loved?
Aiden is in his first few months of kindergarten and struggling to make friends. But he’s not worried because he’s got the support of his very best friend, Rufus the Rat Wizard, the main character of his favorite cartoon! On a particularly bad day, the Operator connects to his toy phone which he uses as the chance to finally talk directly to his best friend.
Hello, yes this is Aiden Ma. Who is speaking?
Please?? He always answers when you call him! Except for that one time Madrigal held him captive at Thorn Bush and Penny and Simon had to come rescue him. Please, Kristi?
They're big and scary and loud. And they eat people!
In the beginning stages of labor, Penny is nervous about becoming a single mother. After a nurse tells her to take a short walk to help things along, she finds herself in front of a payphone. Waiting for her on the line is the Operator, who connects her to the person she wants to speak to most — her mother who passed when she was younger.
Uh actually, I was trying to call my OBGYN. I'm in labor and the hospital can't reach her.
Uh-yeah. They told me to go walk around so I figured I'd come out here and try to reach my doctor one last time. I'm just outside in one of the phone-booths.
Can I- I mean if I use that number again, it won't call her, right?
Penny’s mother, Katherine answers the Operator’s call 24 years in the past. While Penny can’t tell her who she is, Katherine immediately empathizes with the young mother-to-be that she thinks has dialed her number by accident. Through the call, Katherine offers advice on labor and her experiences as a new mother herself.
Sugar, do you need me to call someone for you?
If you can, find a fan and bring it to the room with you. You're going to be hot and sweaty afterwards and every hospital I've ever been to feels like they're trying to boil the sickness out of their patients.
She is. I'm going to owe her a lot of babysitting when Penelope's old enough. Let her have a few nights to herself.
