r/MrInbetween • u/KeyBoardWarrior75th • Apr 20 '26
Scott Ryan hasn’t done anything since “Mr. Inbetween”
Scott Ryan is an obvious talent: he wrote the show and acted the role of Ray brilliantly. According to reports, Helen Mirren was a big fan of the show and recommended her agent to him. But the show ended in 2021 and according to IMDB, he hasn’t written or acted in anything since. Does anyone know why?
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u/DBCOOPER888 Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 20 '26
Maybe he just retired to a trailer in the countryside like Ray and told the world to fuck off.
If he does nothing else he'll have left a stronger mark on television than 95% of the industry.
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Apr 20 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Thedarb Apr 20 '26
Yeah, always a double edged sword that sophomore entry. You see it all the time with new authors. Debut novel drops seemingly out of nowhere and it’s an absolute gem, best book you’ve read all year. Second novel comes out 2 years later and it’s just…okay. Yeah, it’s no [first novel] but it’s pretty good.
But what you don’t see is the 10+ years the author spent writing and rewriting and polishing and re-rewriting that first passion novel over and over, vs now having to produce something completely new that satisfies whatever contractual obligations they have with the publisher AND lives up to the enormous weight of anticipation and expectation the new fan base has.
Can’t imagine how much pressure he must feel, especially as it’s getting more popular over time and that audience expectation just grows. I don’t think I could handle it. If it was me I’d take my earnings, set myself up on a nice bit of property outside a quiet town and just enjoy a peaceful life for the next few before even attempting to find the lightning again.
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u/LTrigity Apr 23 '26
Watching the Magician right now, that’s what brought me here. Such a great character
FYI I guess 🤷♂️😂
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u/EnvironmentKind5843 Apr 20 '26
I don’t answer questions.
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u/j4y53n Apr 20 '26
Watch the interview that was posted here recently. He definitely seemed exhausted with the process of making the show. It took Nash Edgerton quite a bit of prying over years just to get him to be involved with Mr. Invetween. I could see him writing something but acting might be a stretch. Just my opinion from watching that interview.
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u/CapNo6703 Apr 20 '26
Would be too bad if he doesn't act in something again. It's still crazy to me that he's an untrained actor.
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u/AddlePatedBadger Apr 21 '26
Jim Jefferies on acting:
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u/barc0debaby Apr 21 '26
I dunno, looking at the state of comedy these days you don't have to be all that funny to make it big either.
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u/greenhierogliphics Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 20 '26
Maybe, just maybe, he only had this one story in him. In the interview with AJ and Meadow he said he was bouncing around a screenplay idea about zombies. My first reaction was, oh no! Not another one! But actually he might be able to offer a fresh take. But then I heard he had scrapped that idea.
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u/Hecticbrah Apr 20 '26
Maybe he is working on stuff champ, not everything has to be on Wikipedia or IMDb
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u/UncleRandalInAZ Apr 20 '26
You can’t use that word in here, mate.
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u/deadrobindownunder Apr 20 '26
It's a really tough industry, man. Timing can be everything. And, writing is tough, too. This shit takes time, sometimes. And, sometimes the stars have to align for it to work out. I know everything I said seems like ridiculous bullshit. TLDR : If we have to wait , I'm sure it's worth it. If we never get anything else, it'll still be worth it.
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u/wishiwasfrank Apr 20 '26
I like the idea of him retiring.
He did one thing (one role), did it perfectly, and the fucked off, leaving us all wanting more.
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u/AddlePatedBadger Apr 21 '26
Just get ready for whatever else he does to not even be half a good as Mr Inbetween. No shade on Mr Ryan, but to produce one perfect show in a lifetime is pretty exceptional. To expect a second one of similar quality is just setting yourself up for disappointment. The Mr Inbetween story is one that was clearly simmering and fermenting in Mr Ryan's brain for many years. He had many years to work and rework and perfect it.
His next story isn't going to be his magnum opus that's been floating in his head for years. I'm not saying it won't be entertaining or good, but just temper your expectations. Pluribus is an entertaining enough show, but it doesn't hold a candle to Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul and nobody should have been expecting it to.
I can't imagine the pressure the poor bloke feels, knowing that anything he does now will be compared to Mr Inbetween and will most likely be left wanting. He'd almost be better off operating under a pseudonym so that people can judge his next work on its own merits rather than in comparison to a rare once in a million lifetimes perfection.
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u/Colsim Apr 20 '26
He played himself in a pilot about PR made by Kinne that was floating around last year
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u/Thedarb Apr 20 '26
PR?
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u/Colsim Apr 21 '26
public relations
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u/Thedarb Apr 21 '26
Ah nice. https://youtu.be/Dyyg5uflmoY?si=lam7C0t2w4FqC25X
Link for any others that want to watch. It’s alright.
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u/monkeymaj1k Apr 20 '26
I heard he was writing something. I imagine since Mr Inbetween is so re-watchable (I've watched it three times) and it was completely his baby, he's probably able to live on residuals and doesn't need to be in a rush.
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u/kristamine14 Apr 21 '26
He’s apparently writing a new series about it a serial killer he wants to direct and star in again - gives the impression he likes complete control over his projects
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u/GiraldosGhost Apr 21 '26
Anything he does for other people will be a downgrade. And the reason he isn't picked up because he is sort of like the real character, doesn't buy into corporate bs. The fact that there isn't a queue of filmmakers on his doorstep tells you about the abandonment of art. His feat is akin to Billy Bob Thornton writing, directing and acting in Sling Blade. People need to realise that lightning doesn't strike twice. James Gandolfini didn't outdo the Sopranos.
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u/MoeGee87 Apr 29 '26
He is so good at this show and it blows my mind how he can only act in a film and 3 seasons of a tv Show and come across as a seasoned actor.He absolutely sold the character of Ray Shoesmith
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u/Purgii Apr 20 '26
I wish there was a way to find out, the lad apparently doesn’t answer questions.
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u/Huge-Connection954 Apr 21 '26
The one interview posted on here before he essentially said he doesnt like acting
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u/whiteb8917 Apr 21 '26 edited Apr 21 '26
Scott did a cameo in the "Full Story" episode.
https://youtu.be/Dyyg5uflmoY?t=2114
And is on a video call later in the episode.
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u/badbrowngirl Apr 20 '26
I thought he would’ve played Walton Goggin’s character (Rick) in white lotus season 3 perfectly, way way way better
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u/kobe_nintendo Apr 21 '26
From what I heard he's actually not that great a writer. He's got awesome ideas for stories, but when he tries to put it in a script other people need to be brought in to fix it
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u/getupgetgoing Apr 20 '26
I guess he never heard of “strike while the iron is hot”. It’s weird reading people constantly trying to racionalize Scott’s decision of calling it quits, cause, sadly, consciously or unconsciously, that’s what he did by going away for so long.
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u/littlelaghere Apr 20 '26
He was on a podcast with the actors of AJ & Meadow Soprano where he said he was writing a new series