'Posh boys' playing gangsters: Eddie Marsan on film and TV's class divide
British actor Eddie Marsan has criticized the entertainment industry's growing preference for upper-class performers, saying that actors from working-class backgrounds face increasing barriers to success.
"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,"
Marsan explained that while talent alone should define success, access and privilege often tip the scales:
"If you come from a privileged background, you can be mediocre."
Speaking after being appointed one of the new vice presidents of drama school Mountview, where he once studied, Marsan emphasized the importance of supporting young actors who lack financial security. He noted the increasing reliance on the "bank of mummy and daddy" for aspiring performers to afford training and early career expenses.
Reflecting on his own journey, he recalled:
"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."
About Eddie Marsan
Marsan is widely known for his roles in films like the Sherlock Holmes series and Mission: Impossible III, as well as TV dramas such as Ray Donovan and Supacell.
Author's Summary
Eddie Marsan highlights how class privilege continues to shape acting opportunities in Britain, calling for more equal access and real support for emerging working-class talent.