Damian Lewis: 'As an actor educated at Eton, I'm still always in a minority'
He was asked about lack of arts funding's effect on diversity
Damian Lewis has called for more diversity in the arts but rejected the idea that actors from privileged backgrounds are dominating acting.
Asked whether a lack of funding in the arts was harming diversity during a Guardian live Q&A, the he said: "We have to protect against lack of diversity. If theatre, film, TV, dance, opera, ballet are going to remain true art forms, they must be reflective of all society.
“But that's a different point from saying that only privately educated actors are becoming dominant in acting, because statistically that's not true."
The Billions actor continued: “A handful of actors from privileged backgrounds have done well, very well, and of course that's high profile news. But whenever I work, wherever I work, as an actor educated at Eton, I'm still always in a minority."
Clarifying what he mean, he added: “What is true and always rewarding about the acting profession is that everyone has a similar story about them being in a minority. From whatever background. And that coming into the acting profession is when we all finally find likeminded people," Lewis said.
“But it goes without saying, I hope, that theatre and the arts generally in my view are a fundamental and important part of any child's education, and to see any more cuts would be sad."
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