‘Posh Boys’ Playing Gangsters: Eddie Marsan on TV and Film Industry’s Obsession with Upper-Class Actors
Eddie Marsan highlights a significant issue in the entertainment industry regarding class representation. He states, “If you want to be an actor in this country, and you come from a disadvantaged background, you have to be exceptional.”
Marsan criticizes the domination of upper-class actors in gangster roles and suggests that some, like Laurence Fox, are uneasy about increasing diversity. He explains that Fox fears greater representation on screen will “level the playing field.”
“If you want to be an actor in this country, and you come from a disadvantaged background, you have to be exceptional.”
“People like Laurence Fox fear greater representation on screen will ‘level the playing field.’”
The discussion raises questions about accessibility and fairness in the film and television industries, emphasizing the challenges faced by talented individuals from less privileged backgrounds.
Reported Thursday 6 November 2025 21:53, UK.
Author’s summary: Eddie Marsan criticizes the entertainment industry’s preference for upper-class actors in gangster roles and highlights the barriers faced by talented actors from disadvantaged backgrounds.