'Posh boys' playing gangsters: Eddie Marsan on TV and film industry's obsession with upper-class actors

'Posh boys' playing gangsters: Eddie Marsan on TV and film industry's obsession with upper-class actors

Eddie Marsan, one of Britain’s most acclaimed and versatile character actors, has voiced concern over the dominance of privileged backgrounds in the acting world. He argues that aspiring performers from working-class families face significant barriers to success in today's entertainment industry.

"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," says Marsan. "If you come from a privileged background, you can be mediocre."

According to Marsan, the current system makes it increasingly difficult for new talents to succeed without financial backing. He believes that many emerging actors now rely on the "bank of mummy and daddy" to sustain themselves through training and early career stages.

The actor, known for his roles in major films like Sherlock Holmes and Mission: Impossible III, as well as TV series such as Ray Donovan and Supacell, highlights that he rarely meets co-stars who share his working-class origins.

Speaking after being appointed a vice president of the drama school Mountview, where he trained in his twenties, Marsan emphasized the importance of supporting young artists who lack financial means.

"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," he recalls.

He also suggested that actors like Laurence Fox fear greater representation on screen because it could "level the playing field" and challenge the industry’s class bias.

Author’s Summary

Marsan urges the entertainment industry to broaden access to acting opportunities, warning that young people without wealth or connections are being pushed aside by systemic inequality.

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Sky News Sky News — 2025-11-06

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