'Posh Boys' Playing Gangsters: Eddie Marsan on Upper-Class Dominance in Acting
Eddie Marsan, a renowned British character actor known for roles in the Sherlock Holmes films, Mission: Impossible III, and TV series like Ray Donovan and Supacell, highlights the challenges faced by working-class actors in the industry.
Barriers for Disadvantaged Actors
Marsan observes a stark contrast between actors from privileged backgrounds and those from less advantaged ones. He states:
"If you want to be an actor in this country, and you come from a disadvantaged background, you have to be exceptional to have a hope of a career."
He contrasts this with the experience of privileged actors, noting,
"If you come from a privileged background, you can be mediocre."
The Role of Financial Support
Marsan emphasizes the importance of financial backing for new performers, often provided by their families, to succeed in the industry. He suggests that without such support, aspiring actors face significant obstacles.
Support for Young Actors
After being named one of the new vice presidents of drama school Mountview, where he once trained, Marsan stresses the need to assist young actors lacking financial means. Reflecting on his own journey, he shares:
"I came here when I was in my 20s… I was a bit lost, to be honest… I was serving an apprenticeship as a printer when Mountview offered me a place."
Industry Obsession with Privilege
Marsan also addresses concerns raised by others like Laurence Fox, who fear greater diversity on screen might "level the playing field," suggesting a resistance to broadening representation beyond upper-class actors.
Author's summary: Eddie Marsan highlights how financial privilege significantly shapes acting careers in the UK, with working-class talent needing exceptionalism to break into an industry dominated by the upper class.