“I feel like the glass ceiling is always getting higher"
Ambika Mod has spoken about the ongoing barriers facing South Asian actors, saying the “glass ceiling is always getting higher and higher and higher” within the entertainment industry.
The actress, best known for her roles in This Is Going To Hurt and Netflix’s One Day, believes systemic racism continues to make it difficult for South Asian performers to secure opportunities and progress in their careers.
Mod, 31, is the daughter of Indian immigrants and has made challenging representation a central part of her work.
Speaking about her experiences, she said: “I think there’s definitely an issue in this industry with systemic racism.
“I think it is really hard for South Asian actors to really push through.
“I feel like the glass ceiling is always getting higher and higher and higher.”
Her comments come amid wider discussions about diversity and representation across British television and film.
Research from the Creative Diversity Network suggested representation of minority ethnic groups both on and off-screen dropped slightly last year, following several years of improvement.
The findings highlight continuing challenges for performers from underrepresented backgrounds, particularly when it comes to accessing opportunities behind the scenes and progressing into senior positions.
Mod has previously spoken about not having access to the same “privilege” as some of her fellow actors when pursuing roles.
Fans have also questioned why her One Day co-star Leo Woodall has appeared in several major productions since the series, including Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.
Despite the challenges, Mod says she remains selective about the characters she agrees to portray.
She explained that changing perceptions of South Asian women on screen remains a “central tenet” of her career.
“I won’t engage” with a role if she believes it is tokenistic or relies on stereotypes, she added.
“I’ve been very, very lucky in my career so far, from very early on, to play really complex, meaty roles and to have changed the narrative in many ways.
“And I’m not looking to regress.”
The actress is now joining the second season of Netflix’s spy thriller Black Doves, playing Laila, an agent working for the show’s covert organisation.
Her character is introduced to assist Keira Knightley’s agent Helen on a mission, bringing a new dynamic to the series.
Mod said the opportunity particularly appealed to her because of its action sequences and the chance to perform stunts alongside Knightley.
“Honestly, the main reason I wanted to do it was because of all the stunts,” she said.
“Really badass, but it was so much fun.”
Away from action dramas, Mod has also expressed an interest in returning to comedy, having previously been involved in sketch comedy while studying at Durham University.
She said she would “love” to do more comedy and still has plenty of stories she wants to share.
Her career continues to demonstrate the range of opportunities available to South Asian performers, while her comments underline the importance of challenging the barriers that remain.
