'Posh Boys' Playing Gangsters: Eddie Marsan on Class Bias in Acting
Actor Eddie Marsan reflected on the challenges faced by performers from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK film and television industry. He emphasized how class privilege influences casting decisions and career opportunities.
"If you want to be an actor in this country, and you come from a disadvantaged background, you have to be exceptional," said Marsan.
He suggested that some upper-class actors, such as Laurence Fox, fear that better representation on screen might "level the playing field" by offering fairer opportunities to people from working-class roots.
The discussion highlights ongoing concerns about diversity, access, and the dominance of elite voices within British entertainment.
Author’s Summary
Marsan criticizes the persistent class inequality in UK acting, arguing it forces talented working-class performers to fight harder for recognition and fair representation.