Ambika Mod Discusses Systemic Racism and Diversity in Acting
In an interview with Newsbeat, actress Ambika Mod stated that systemic racism creates a persistent barrier for South Asian actors in the entertainment industry, describing how the glass ceiling continues to rise.
The Career Trajectory Gap After One Day
Mod spoke about not having access to the same professional privileges as some of her peers. Fans have questioned why she has not appeared in as many subsequent roles as her One Day co-star Leo Woodall. Woodall has since secured parts in major feature films, including Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy and the A24 Anthony Bourdain biopic Tony.
Addressing these industry discrepancies, Mod told Newsbeat that systemic racism remains a definite issue. She explained that pushing through these barriers is notably difficult for South Asian performers, leaving her feeling as though the glass ceiling continuously moves higher.
Industry Data on Diversity and Representation
Data from the Creative Diversity Network indicated that minority ethnic representation both on and off screen dropped slightly following a previous period of modest improvements. Parallel research from the media watchdog Ofcom revealed similar disparities across UK broadcasting. Ofcom found that individuals from minority ethnic groups account for just 11 percent of senior management roles across the broader industry, alongside persistent under-representation in creative, production, and on-screen positions.
Choosing Complex Roles Over Tokenism
Mod stated to Newsbeat that she avoids engaging with characters she views as tokenistic or stereotypical. Reflecting on her career choices, she noted that she has been fortunate to secure complex, substantial roles early on that allowed her to alter existing narratives, emphasizing that she has no intention of regressing.
When evaluating future projects, Mod follows counsel previously given by Dame Emma Thompson, who told her that careers do not truly exist, only the immediate next choice. Mod explained to Newsbeat that she focuses on finding challenging projects, interesting collaborators, and enjoyable work.
Expanding Range in Black Doves
In a separate interview, Mod discussed starring in the espionage series Black Doves. Playing the character Laila felt natural due to the role’s unserious, brash, and honest qualities, allowing Mod to bring more of her personal comedic sensibility to the screen.
Mod said that comedy has served as her primary inspiration since childhood, noting that shows like Friends and performers like Mindy Kaling, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler shaped her acting ambitions. In Black Doves, Laila’s lack of seriousness acts as a counterpoint to violent action sequences, featuring fight choreography alongside co-star Keira Knightley and stunt work Mod had never done before.