Damian Lewis has called for more diversity in the arts but rejected the idea that actors from privileged backgrounds are dominating acting.

Asked whether a lack of funding in the arts was harming diversity during a Guardian live Q&A, the he said: "We have to protect against lack of diversity. If theatre, film, TV, dance, opera, ballet are going to remain true art forms, they must be reflective of all society.

“But that's a different point from saying that only privately educated actors are becoming dominant in acting, because statistically that's not true."

The Billions actor continued: “A handful of actors from privileged backgrounds have done well, very well, and of course that's high profile news. But whenever I work, wherever I work, as an actor educated at Eton, I'm still always in a minority."

Clarifying what he mean, he added: “What is true and always rewarding about the acting profession is that everyone has a similar story about them being in a minority. From whatever background. And that coming into the acting profession is when we all finally find likeminded people," Lewis said.