Vicky McClure calls for more working class characters on TV: ‘I don’t read scripts that cater to that demographic’

Vicky McClure has called for more working class roles on screen, as most female characters she comes across are “middle class”.

The Nottingham-born actress, 34, who is on the jury for this year’s Bafta Breakthrough Brits, said that while there are better television roles for women in 2017, working class characters are “sparse”.

“I think one of the obstacles at the moment is finding work that fits in with my audience,” she told the Standard.

“When I say that, I mean work that appeals to a working class audience rather than a middle class audience and I’m finding that that’s starting to get sparse now.”

McClure, known for her roles in This is England and Line of Duty, said that she’s pleased to see more female-led dramas like Liar and Doctor Foster, but would like to see one featuring a character who “works in a shop”.

“Everyone is always talking about the roles for women in film and television and that is a really important topic for me as well and we’re becoming more conscious of it,” she said.

“Most of the dramas you see at the minute, Liar, Doctor Foster are dominating the telly and they are female-led so we’re obviously adhering to that, but for me, I’m kind of going ‘Well, they’re teachers and doctors’. I’d like to see a story about a plumber or someone who works in a shop.”

The actress is keen to represent the working class on screen as much as possible: “I do try my best to make sure that I’m still finding work that applies to that.

“I don’t ready that many scripts that cater to that demographic; the majority are middle class or the hierarchy of the period drama.”

McClure has been tasked with choosing this year’s Bafta Breakthrough Brits, alongside Jenna Coleman, Reggie Yates and Will Poulter.

The annual initiative aims to showcase the next generation of British creative talent in film, television and gaming.

“I wanted to see something I hadn’t seen before, that they were comfortable in what they’re doing – you can tell if someone is instinctively doing their own thing,” said McClure.

“All of a sudden there will be a lot of attention and people will be very interested to see what their next steps are.”

Former kids TV presenter Yates, who has reinvented himself as a documentary filmmaker in recent years, said that he was keen to help promote diversity.

“I think it’s about your gut, and you’re looking for qualities that you see in people that you admire, as part of their journey,” he said.

“For a long time I didn’t really feel as though the industry understood me or people like me as there weren’t many examples of young black men on TV or behind the camera.

“But that’s changing – it hasn’t changed entirely – but it’s changing. It’s just good to be surrounded by young creatives who are from diverse backgrounds. Having those different voices and different points of view is important. “

This year’s Breakthrough Brits, in partnership with Burberry, will be announced on Wednesday.