Marcus Ryder

2 months ago | rts.org.uk | Matthew Bell |Marcus Ryder |Paul Litchfield |Tacita Small

Marcus Ryder, Dr Paul Litchfield, Tacita Small, Michelle White, Tome Levi and Jude Spencer (credit: Paul Hampartsoumian) Depression and anxiety are very real problems for many in the industry. How can we create a healthier culture? Belatedly, television seems to be waking up to the mental health crisis in the industry. Progress is being made but there is still a huge amount of work to do.

Mar 14, 2025 | rts.org.uk | Marcus Ryder

A few weeks ago, the Film and TV Charity published its latest Looking Glass survey, the largest study of its kind, examining the mental health and wellbeing of people working in the UK’s film, television and cinema industries. The results were not unexpected, but they were still deeply troubling. More than a third of respondents rated their mental health as “poor” or “very poor”, while 30% reported having thoughts of taking their own life in the past 12 months.

Aug 8, 2024 | independent.co.uk | Marcus Ryder

In 2021, I was appointed the chair of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), arguably Britain’s – and possibly the world’s – most prestigious drama school. For the last three years, I have greeted the new influx of first year students with the following words: “Drama is essential to democracy and a well functioning society.

May 16, 2024 | eventbrite.co.uk | Marcus Ryder

George Floyd was a Black man who died after officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck. The kneeling reportedly started at 8.01pm (local time) and lasted for 9 minutes 29 seconds. (It was originally thought to have lasted 8 minutes 46 seconds until the release of police body camera footage). His murder is not only a personal tragedy but has grown to symbolise the inequality Black people face across the world.

Feb 8, 2024 | linkedin.com | Marcus Ryder

To mark Race Equality Week, I have a confession to make…  After 25 years working in the media industry, I am not sure I am “anti-racist”, or at least I am not anti-racist in the way it is usually discussed and how policies are usually shaped to address it.