Scott Ryan

• Name — Scott Ryan • Born — 12 May 1973 • Birthplace — Hallam, Victoria, Australia • Occupation — * Actor • writer • director • Years Active — 2003–present • Notable Works — * The Magician • Mr Inbetween • Awards — * AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama • Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actor • Agent — CAA

Ryan grew up in Hallam, Victoria 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. Ryan faced challenges in high school, being asked to leave both alma maters. He later described his behaviour as possibly related to oppositional defiant disorder, recounting experiences of public humiliation by teachers. At 17, Ryan's mental health declined, leading to agoraphobia. He lived reclusively, leaving his home only for essential tasks. Ryan later encountered 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, practising yoga, tai chi, and meditation, and abstaining from indulgences. This period of reflection reignited his passion for writing.

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 scepticism, 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. 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. After completing three seasons of Mr Inbetween, Ryan confirmed that there would be no fourth season of the series. He 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. In 2023, Ryan was busy writing several projects, one of which is titled It's Coming This Way.

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2005 — The Magician — Ray Shoesmith • 2018–2021 — Mr Inbetween — Ray Shoesmith — 26 episodes

• Year — Category — Nominated work — Result — ref' • 2018 — Best New Talent — Mr Inbetween • 2019 — Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama — Mr Inbetween • 2021 — Best Lead Actor in a Drama — Mr Inbetween • 2021 — Best Screenplay in Television — Mr Inbetween ("Ray Who?")

• Year — Category — Nominated work — Result — ref' • 2019 — Most Outstanding Actor — Mr Inbetween

• Year — Award — Category — Work — Result — ref' • 2003 — Melbourne Underground Film Festival — Best Actor — The Magician • 2003 — Best Director • 2005 — Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards — Best Actor in a Lead Role • 2005 — IF Awards — Best Actor • 2005 — Independent Spirit Awards — Best Actor • 2018 — Australian Writers' Guild — Comedy - Situation or Narrative — Mr Inbetween • 2018 — Screen Producers Australia Awards — Drama Series Production of the Year • 2019 — The Equity Ensemble Awards — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series