Braveheart actor Peter Mullan gave a brutal analysis of the BBC’s efforts to increase representation while talking about working-class actors.
The Scottish actor and film-maker, 65, claimed the broadcaster is doing “next to nothing” when it comes to seeking working-class talent in drama.
When asked whether he thinks the industry is making progress, the actor didn’t hold back as he replied: “No, sadly, we’re not.”
Taking aim at the major broadcaster, he added: “The output at the moment is poor, especially Scottish working-class drama.
“I can’t think of any major ones that have been made in the last decade, let alone any that were good.
“As far as I can tell, BBC Scotland is doing next to nothing about Scottish history, the Scottish experience, Scottish lives,” he argued to Radio Times.
“The Scots haven’t got an equivalent of Happy Valley – and they should have,” he continued.
Mullan was then probed about whether or not anything was changing behind-the-scenes, to which he answered: “We’re not making anywhere near the progress we should be.”
He went on: “There has to be the will for it to happen.”
Citing how there aren’t enough “training programmes,” he admitted the issue came down to “nepotism”.
He went on to state there’s more nepotism in TV and film than in other industries.
When asked how he and others in his position could help to pay it back to young actors, he explained how other than speaking out, there aren’t many options for actors.
However, he shared his intention to direct more films and vowed to include a significant representation of working-class actors.
Mullan isn’t the only actor to slam the industry for its lack of working-class talent.
Former EastEnders star Danny Dyer, 47, recently fumed about the situation. He commented: “There aren’t many working-class people in the arts – it’s disgusting.”
Speaking to Radio Times in July, he continued: “The classism of the theatre world when I started out spurred me on.
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“I wasn’t the most articulate, and I hadn’t studied Chekhov, but I knew I had something. All great actors are weird.
“You’ve got to have a bit of trauma in your life – that’s your toolbox.
“It seems to have got worse since then – we need to get more working-class kids in the arts, but I haven’t heard any politicians talk about giving them anything to aim for.”
