Ross Kemp believes soap actors have more freedom in their careers and have more respect than when he first starred in 'EastEnders'.
Ross Kemp
The 54-year-old star joined the BBC One series as Albert Square hardman Grant Mitchell in 1990 and went on to appear in over 1,000 episodes over three separate stints with the most recent coming between July and September 2016.
In recent years, Ross has made a name for himself with his award-winning 'Ross Kemp on Gangs' documentary series and he has previously admitted it took him some time to be taken seriously as an investigative journalist due to his soap opera past.
Ross insists things are different now and it is easier for a soap star to take on roles in films or on the stage as they are not pigeonholed.
Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, he said: "Performers were pigeonholed but I think the world has been freed up by social media and hopefully in showbusiness too.
"I don't think you should be defined by one thing that you, I think the world is changing a bit now. It would be like, 'Oh, he's a soap actor so he can't work on the stage.' Or, 'She's a stage actress, there's no way she could be in television or movies.' There was an element of snobbery attached to things, because the market is so open now you've got to be prepared to work in any medium."
Ross - who recently teamed up with video game studio Ubisoft to narrate community stories from new Tom Clancy game 'The Division 2' - is still very much focused on his documentary making but he is keen to do more acting if the right role comes along.
He added: "I would love to go and do some acting but there's no reason why I can't keep making documentaries too."
'Ross Kemp's Tales from the Dark Zone' have been released via Ubisoft UK's social channel ahead of the game's release on March 15.
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