Hollyoaks star Isabelle Smith, best known for her role as Frankie Osborne since last year,
recently shared her thoughts on the challenges faced by working-class actors trying to establish themselves in the entertainment industry.
Her comments came as Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy visited the set of the popular Channel 4 soap in Childwall, Liverpool.
Financial Struggles in the Arts Industry
During the visit, Isabelle spoke candidly about the financial difficulties that many young actors face, particularly those from working-class backgrounds.
She highlighted the struggle to find stable work in the arts, acknowledging that she was fortunate to secure her role in Hollyoaks.
However, she emphasized that even with a job, financial burdens remain a major issue.
“It’s not very easy to get a job… especially in an arts industry,” Isabelle explained. “I was fortunate enough to land this job, but now I’m in a position where most of my money goes to pay off my maintenance loan and my student loan. That comes with a very high level of interest on top of the extortionate amount of money that I already owe.”
Her comments shed light on a growing concern for aspiring actors who do not have the financial backing to support their careers, with many struggling to balance work opportunities with student loan repayments and living expenses.
Limited Support for Aspiring Actors
Isabelle also spoke about the lack of accessible financial aid for those hoping to break into the industry. She noted that grant programs have significantly decreased and that scholarship schemes are underfunded, making it even harder for working-class actors to succeed.
“There’s no grants really in place anymore, the scholarship scheme is very underfunded,” she said. “It’s already hard enough for a working-class female to get into this industry, and then you have this added cost weighing over your head.”
The Elitist Nature of the Acting Industry
The young actress also addressed the common misconception that all actors earn significant amounts of money. She pointed out that the profession remains largely elitist, with many successful performers having attended prestigious institutions such as the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) or private schools that offer specialized training in the arts.
“People have paid to go to private school, or to RADA, whatever it may be. You’re constantly having to prove yourself in every room that you’re going into because you’ve maybe not had the same education as other people that you are sat next to,” she explained.
She suggested that if the industry became more accessible to talented individuals from all backgrounds, the entertainment world would greatly benefit from a wider range of voices and perspectives.
Calls for Government Support and Industry Changes
In response to Isabelle’s concerns, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy expressed admiration for the young actress, acknowledging the need for more support for working-class actors. She praised Isabelle for being a recognizable figure to her generation and suggested that government initiatives could help make the arts more accessible.
“I really love that I was thinking when you were talking that you’re so recognisable to your generation,” Nandy said. “It would be great if we could do, not just a programme of government support for working-class young people to be able to break into the arts, but we could also run a campaign on it, with people like you fronting it up.”
She suggested that a wider campaign could encourage young aspiring actors to pursue their dreams, while also working towards creating a more level playing field in the industry.
A Push for Greater Accessibility
Isabelle concluded by stating that changes in accessibility and support could lead to a more diverse and representative entertainment industry. She emphasized that creating more opportunities for working-class actors would lead to a richer storytelling experience on screen and stage.
“If we just made it a little bit more accessible, I think people would be astounded at the difference that it actually makes,” she stated.
Her words resonate with many young artists who dream of making it in the industry but feel held back by financial and educational barriers. With growing conversations around inclusivity and accessibility, her comments may help spark further discussions on making the entertainment industry a fairer space for all.
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