Celebrity Name: Ashley Benson
New Company: Strand Entertainment
Primary Manager: Tarik Kanafani
Department: Management
Territory: United States
- Ashley Benson has signed with Strand Entertainment for management, with Tarik Kanafani handling her representation at the firm.
- She continues to be represented by Independent Artist Group (IAG) for talent agency, Dulcedo Management as co-manager, and Viewpoint for publicity.
- Benson was most recently seen starring alongside Alfie Allen in McVeigh, an indie drama that premiered at the Tribeca Festival, and has wrapped production on Pretty Babies, which she also produced.
- Best known for her breakout role on Freeform’s Pretty Little Liars, Benson’s credits also include Spring Breakers for A24, the Amazon series Wilderness, and Mob Land alongside John Travolta.
Ashley Benson has signed with Strand Entertainment for management. She will be handled there by manager Tarik Kanafani.
She continues to be represented by Independent Artist Group (IAG) for talent, Dulcedo Management as co-manager, and Viewpoint for publicity.
Benson, an actress and producer, has work that spans studio features, independent film, and television. She was most recently seen starring alongside Alfie Allen in McVeigh, an indie drama based on the true story of Oklahoma City Bombing perpetrator Timothy McVeigh, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival.
She recently wrapped production on the independent feature Pretty Babies, which she also produced alongside Christine Vachon with Killer Films and Jordan Wagner. The film, which also stars Madelaine Petsch and Emily Alyn Lind, is expected to hit the festival circuit later in 2026.
Best known for her breakout role on Freeform’s Pretty Little Liars, which ran for seven seasons, Benson’s other credits include Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers for A24, the Amazon series Wilderness, and Mob Land alongside John Travolta.
Strand Entertainment was founded by Jeff Golenberg and Jason Shapiro and has quickly built a strong roster of both established and emerging talent.
This signing reflects a broader trend of actresses making high-profile management, including moves like Georgia May signing with Off Limits Group for management and Fola Evans-Akingbola inking with Range Media Partners.
Takeaways
Benson joining Strand Entertainment is a clear signal that she’s stepping into a new gear. With two films in the pipeline, one already festival-ready and one she produced herself, the timing of adding a power management company like Strand is no coincidence. It suggests a deliberate push to expand her profile from recognizable TV actress to serious indie film force.
The fact that she retains IAG, Dulcedo Management, and Viewpoint while adding Strand also shows that this isn’t a change of direction, it’s an acceleration. The multi-management setup is increasingly common for actors looking to grow across both performance and production.
Will Benson’s producing credit on Pretty Babies open doors to more behind-the-scenes roles and could Strand help shepherd those opportunities? Strand Entertainment has a rising roster of indie-leaning talent — what does Benson’s signing tell us about the firm’s long-term strategy?
