UK’s Bodhi Talent agency representing well-known soap stars such as Emma Rigby and Nicola Stapleton, has applied for closure following accusations of sending clients fake auditions and delaying actor payments, according to Deadline report.
The company’s decision to file for dissolution came after Deadline’s exclusive report, wherein former clients alleged receiving fraudulent self-tape audition invitations and experiencing payment delays, which violated UK agency regulations.
Archie Purnell, the founder of Bodhi, denied any wrongdoing but failed to address specific allegations and has been unresponsive, said Deadline in its reports after failed attempts at communication since 7th February.
However, Bodhi’s planned closure may face hurdles if objections are raised by creditors owed money by the agency. Creditors have a two-month window to contest the closure and must provide documentary evidence to support their claims.
In light of recent developments, it has emerged that several actors, including Thea Beyleveld, who appeared in the final season of ‘The Crown’, are prepared to take legal action against Bodhi to recover withheld payments amounting to thousands of pounds. Beyleveld revealed that she is owed nearly £9,500 ($12,000), with only a fraction of her paycheck for ‘The Crown’ being disbursed by Bodhi.
Furthermore, parents of children represented by Bodhi’s sister agency, Luna Kids Casting, have also voiced grievances, alleging unlawful representation fees.
Despite the controversy surrounding Bodhi, Purnell, also known as Jamie Fisher, was reportedly seen leading a Luna Kids workshop as recently as last week, where he assured clients that the accusations against him were unfounded.
Established in 2021, Bodhi Talent was spearheaded by Purnell, listed as the sole director under his alias, Fisher. As the situation unfolds, industry stakeholders await further developments and potential actions by creditors and affected parties in response to Bodhi Talent’s closure and the outstanding allegations against the agency.
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