Ambika Mod, the breakout star of Netflix’s One Day, has opened up about the persistent challenges she faces in the entertainment industry — namely, the frustrating reality of being typecast even after delivering a critically acclaimed lead performance.
In a candid interview, Mod revealed that despite the global recognition and praise she received for her emotionally nuanced portrayal of Emma Morley in One Day, the auditions she receives continue to reflect limited imagination and narrow expectations from casting directors.
“Even after One Day, I still get auditions for roles like the rookie cop who supports the two interesting white leads,” she said.
⭐ From Breakout Star to Industry Reality
One Day, released on Netflix in early 2024, marked a significant moment in Mod’s career. Her performance — vulnerable, sharp, and deeply human — resonated with critics and audiences alike. The series reimagined the beloved novel and film adaptation with a fresh, diverse perspective, and Mod’s casting as a British South Asian woman in the lead role was widely celebrated as a milestone in representation.
However, her recent comments serve as a sobering reminder that even high-profile success doesn’t always dismantle systemic bias in the entertainment industry.
“There’s a ceiling,” Mod added. “You can have your moment, but the industry still tries to push you back into the same box.”
🎭 Typecasting & Racial Stereotypes
Mod’s experience is not unique. For many actors of color, especially women, breaking into lead roles doesn’t automatically translate to lasting change. Too often, they are offered stereotypical or one-dimensional parts — the best friend, the sassy sidekick, the background professional (e.g. doctor, cop, lawyer) — who exist primarily to support the white protagonists’ narrative arcs.
In Mod’s case, the “rookie cop” she refers to is symbolic: a placeholder character whose presence checks a diversity box but lacks depth, agency, or centrality to the plot.
This reflects a broader issue in film and TV, where inclusion is often performative, not transformative.
🎤 Industry Response & The Path Forward
Mod’s remarks have sparked renewed discussions online about meaningful representation and the need for structural change within casting, writing, and producing teams. While more actors of color are gaining visibility, many argue that true equity won’t be achieved until:
- Writers’ rooms and executive teams are more diverse,
- Storylines center characters of color, not just include them, and
- Casting directors challenge their assumptions about who can lead a story.
“It’s not just about being seen,” Mod said. “It’s about being seen as fully human — complex, flawed, interesting. Not just someone who stands next to the real story.”
📝 Final Thoughts
Ambika Mod’s success in One Day was a breath of fresh air — a reminder of what can happen when actors of color are trusted with complex, meaningful roles. But her continued experience with typecasting reveals how much work still needs to be done.
Her honesty not only highlights her own journey but speaks to a broader issue facing countless underrepresented talents in film and television. As audiences continue demanding more inclusive, authentic storytelling, the hope is that industry leaders will move beyond tokenism — and start writing roles that reflect the full spectrum of lived experiences.
