Foxtel’s Mr Inbetween was therapeutic for Scott Ryan

Writer and actor Scott Ryan likens working on the second season of the hit Foxtel drama to therapy.

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Working on the second season of hit Foxtel drama Mr Inbetween was like attending therapy for writer and actor Scott Ryan.

The series about hitman Ray Shoesmith touches on tough topics of crime, sickness, broken relationships and parental responsibility and for Ryan, writing and acting in the show proved a cathartic experience, allowing him to tackle his own demons.

Scott Ryan found working on Mr Inbetween like therapy.

“I didn’t have a great year when I wrote season two. I took some of the stuff from my own life … I’m exploring some of my own issues,” Ryan told Confidential. “Season two will have a lot of the same things that people enjoyed (in season one) but it’s a bit more of a character study. It’s a lot darker.”

He didn’t reveal which aspects of the dark comedy were inspired by true events but the star said his character often felt like an alter ego.

“Ray in some respects represents the darker side of me. He gets to do the things that sometimes I would like to do with my own issues my own anger,” he explained. “We all have times when we want to punch someone and get revenge. Everybody’s got a dark side. Most of us deny that.”

Scott Ryan says writing a semi-autobiographical season made him feel more vulnerable but looks like it is paying off.

Ryan said writing a semi-autobiographical season made him more vulnerable as an artist but the early response from audiences is in, and he said it had been worth it.

“It’s harder if you write something that’s very personal and you’ve got a crew of 40-50 people. It’s quite nerve wracking.”

“There is one particular scene where I am talking about something personal. I had people coming up to me and mentioning that scene and it was worth putting my head on the chopping block (for that.)”

A third season is yet to be confirmed, he added.

“I haven’t had a break in 13 months. I need to go away and get my head together,” he said.

“We’re still knee deep in the post production process so I’m not entirely sure (about season three) at this point.”