Eton-educated Tom Hiddleston says class debate in acting '˜socially divisive'

Eton and Cambridge educated actor Tom Hiddleston says the debate about class in the acting profession has become 'socially divisive'.

Tom Hiddlestone. Picture: PA

Hiddleston, best-known for his role as Loki in the Marvel films, attended public boarding school Eton before going to university and then studying at Rada.

He also objected to the idea that the industry was dominated by Eton alumni.

“There are so many successful actors who didn’t go there,” he said. “Like Michael Fassbender and Daniel Craig and Domhnall Gleeson and Luke Evans and Gemma Arterton and Andrea Riseborough. There’s so many, the list goes on and on and on. Idris Elba.”

Acknowledging the issue of inequality of opportunity, he said the debate itself could be divisive.

He explained: “It’s socially divisive in a way it shouldn’t be, because I think wherever you are from you should be able to follow your passion.

“Wherever you went to school, if you have something authentic to contribute, you should be allowed to. There is an acknowledged problem of access and inequality of opportunity - I don’t know how to remedy that. But yeah, I’m on everyone’s side; I’m on the side of the actors. I’m not there to divide the world into pieces.”