Blake Harrison thinks actors from "privileged backgrounds" have an easier path to fame.
The ‘Inbetweeners’ star, who shot to stardom playing Neil Sutherland in the sitcom, believes actors from wealthy families are groomed for success because they’re willing to work for free as they hone their craft.
He explained: "There is an issue with a lot of actors coming from privileged backgrounds. If someone says to them, ‘Can you do a play for free?’ they’ll say, ‘Yeah, of course, because mummy and daddy will sort me out.’ "
Blake, 28, says his rise through the acting ranks couldn’t have been more different as he was forced to work odd hours to make ends meet while pursuing his dream.
He told The Sun newspaper: "I was funding myself doing a play in a pub theatre by sticking labels on the inside of buses between 8pm and 4am, then getting up at 8am for rehearsals."
The comedy actor concedes private school educated stars such as ‘Sherlock’ actor Benedict Cumberbatch and ‘Homeland’ leading man Damian Lewis are very talented, but isn’t convinced they would be household names if they had a less privileged upbringing.
He added: "They’re doing well because they’ve got talent. But if they’d have come from a more working class background, would they have got to that stage?"
Meanwhile, Blake – who is set to reprise his role as Neil in ‘The Inbetweeners 2’ movie – has revealed he’d love to follow up his humorous role with a more a dramatic part in hit fantasy show ‘Game of Thrones’.
He enthused: "It’s fantastic TV. I know a few people in it as I’ve worked with them. I should ask them to get me in it, but it doesn’t work like that."
Blake Harrison: Posh actors have it easy
