| Scott Ryan | |
| Birth Date: | 12 May 1973 |
| Birth Place: | Hallam, Victoria, Australia |
| Nationality: | Australian |
| Years Active: | 2003–present |
| Agency: | CAA |
Scott Ryan (born 12 May 1973) is an Australian actor, writer, and director who wrote and starred in the FX series Mr Inbetween and the film The Magician, which he also directed.
Ryan grew up in Hallam and moved to Richmond at age 17. His passion for storytelling began in primary school, where his writing talent was first noticed when his teacher asked him to read his story aloud to the class. This experience inspired him to write and perform plays, but after a failed improvisation attempt, he stopped writing until his twenties.[1]
Ryan faced challenges in high school, being asked to leave both alma maters. He later described his behavior as possibly related to oppositional defiant disorder, recounting experiences of public humiliation by teachers.[2] At 17, Ryan's mental health declined, leading to agoraphobia. He lived reclusively, leaving his home only for essential tasks.
Ryan later encountered Dr. Richard Liu, a master of medicine and martial arts, who introduced him to Chinese herbs and meditation. For 12 years, Ryan led a monk-like lifestyle, practicing yoga, tai chi, and meditation, abstaining from indulgences. This period of reflection reignited his passion for writing, which became his salvation.
Ryan self-funded the production of The Magician in 2003 with $3,000. He developed the film while studying filmmaking at RMIT and shot it over 13 months with help from friends and family. Initially met with skepticism, the film gained attention at the St Kilda Film Festival, where it was noticed by Nash Edgerton, who helped re-edit it for theatrical release. The film eventually became the basis for Mr Inbetween. [3]
In 2009, Ryan was cast in the Hollywood film Hesher, where he began rehearsals with Natalie Portman. However, Joseph Gordon-Levitt replaced him after John C. Reilly left the project. Despite this setback, Ryan eventually found success with Mr Inbetween.
Mr Inbetween, based on The Magician, premiered on FX in September 2018. The series follows Ray Shoesmith, a hitman balancing his personal and professional life. The character of Ray in the series is a more nuanced version of the one portrayed in The Magician. Nash Edgerton directed all episodes and served as executive producer. The series was well-received, developing a cult following in both the US and Australia.
In July 2020, Ryan signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) after actress Helen Mirren and her husband, director Taylor Hackford, encouraged their Hollywood agent to watch Mr Inbetween. This led to CAA representing Ryan and his future projects.[4] He also began working on several feature projects.
After completing three seasons of Mr Inbetween, Ryan confirmed that there would be no fourth season of the series. He has shifted his focus to new projects, including a road trip-serial killer-bank heist film provisionally titled Everybody Dies. Ryan has completed three drafts of the script and expressed interest in directing and starring in the film, potentially playing the serial killer.[5]
In May 2023, Ryan posted on Instagram that he had been busy writing several projects, one of which is titled It's Coming This Way. The post included an image of a draft script with the title "It's Coming This Way", written by Ryan, showing that he is actively developing new work for the future.[6]
| 2018–2021 | Mr Inbetween | Ray Shoesmith | 26 episodes | |
| 2005 | The Magician | Ray Shoesmith |
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Best Lead Actor in a Drama | Mr Inbetween | ||
| 2021 | Best Screenplay in Television | Mr Inbetween ("Ray Who?") | ||
| 2019 | Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama | Mr Inbetween | ||
| 2018 | Best New Talent | Mr Inbetween |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards | Best Actor in a Lead Role | The Magician | ||
| 2018 | Australian Writers' Guild | Comedy - Situation or Narrative | Mr Inbetween | ||
| 2003 | Melbourne Underground Film Festival | Best Actor, Best Director, Best Film | The Magician | ||
| 2005 | IF Awards | Best Actor, Independent Spirit Award | The Magician | ||
| 2018 | Screen Producers Australia Awards | Drama Series Production of the Year | Mr Inbetween | ||
| 2019 | The Equity Ensemble Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | Mr Inbetween |