Lesley Manville "feels for young actors" during the coronavirus pandemic.
Lesley Manville
The 64-year-old star has noted that many actors are not as affluent as the public may assume, and has therefore lent her support to the Equity Benevolent Fund, which is offering support to actors who are in need of help during the current crisis.
Lesley said: "I really feel for young actors at the moment, who are just getting going.
"They're now stuck in this real kind of critical situation that we can't see at the moment quite how we are going to get out of."
The veteran admitted that the ongoing uncertainty is a huge concern for people and businesses within the entertainment industry.
Speaking to the BBC, she explained: "You know, will theatres survive even? And when are we ever going to be in front of a camera again?
"It's just very scary. They've devoted their time to studying and becoming actors, and then suddenly they can't do what they're trained to do."
The award-winning star - who studied at Italia Conti Academy, a performing arts school in London, during her teens - also dismissed the perception that "if you're an actor, you must be loaded".
Lesley reflected: "I'm not denying that there are some very well-paid actors around without question, who are not going to be knocking on the door of the Equity Benevolent Fund at all.
"But that is not the case of the majority. This is about them just needing support at a time when hopefully we're going to get through and there will be an industry when we come out the other side."