Ambika Mod, the breakout star of Netflix's One Day, has spoken candidly about the barriers facing South Asian actors in the entertainment industry, saying the glass ceiling is always getting higher.
Mod, 31, gained widespread recognition for her role as Emma Morley in the acclaimed adaptation of David Nicholls' novel, and previously impressed critics as a junior doctor in the BBC's This Is Going To Hurt. Now, she is set to appear in the second season of Netflix's spy thriller Black Doves, starring alongside Keira Knightley.
In an interview with BBC Newsbeat, Mod, the daughter of Indian immigrants, said a central aim of her career is to change how South Asian women are portrayed on screen. I want to shift the narrative and the kinds of characters we are seen in, she explained.
However, she acknowledged the systemic challenges that persist. Asked why she hasn't landed as many roles as her One Day co-star Leo Woodall, who has since appeared in major films, Mod said: There's definitely an issue in this industry with systemic racism. It is really hard for South Asian actors to push through. I feel like the glass ceiling is always getting higher and higher.
Her comments come amid concerns about diversity in the UK broadcasting industry. A report by the Creative Diversity Network found that representation of minority ethnic groups on and off screen dipped last year after several years of progress. Meanwhile, Ofcom reported that people from minority ethnic groups account for only 11% of senior management roles across the industry, with under-representation also in creative, production and on-screen positions.
Mod said she is unsure whether on-screen representation is improving, but she is determined to avoid tokenistic or stereotypical roles. I've been very lucky to play complex, meaty roles from early on and to have changed the narrative in many ways, she said.
She also shared advice from Dame Emma Thompson that guides her choices: There's no such thing as a career, there's only what you do next. Mod added that she focuses on challenging projects and working with people she admires, as well as having fun.
Her new role in Black Doves sees her play Laila, a lawless agent of the covert spy operation, who assists Knightley's character Helen on a dangerous mission. Mod said she was drawn to the part because it subverts espionage genre tropes and offered the chance to perform extreme stunts. It was such a good time working with Keira and doing all the stunts, she said. The main reason I wanted to do it was because of all the stunts. It was so fun to take down a staggering number of men in every episode.
The thriller, which blends dark humour with action, aligns with Mod's dry wit. Her comedy background dates back to her university days at Durham, where she was part of a sketch comedy group. Although she hasn't done stand-up in about five years, she would love to do more comedy in the future. I do sometimes think about going back to it, she revealed.
Mod's story is one of talent and determination, but also a stark reminder of the structural obstacles that still exist for actors of colour. As she continues to break new ground, her career serves as both an inspiration and a call for change in the industry.
