In discussions about striking a balance between one's private and public lives, English actor Alfie Allen, who is best known for playing Theon Greyjoy in the hit television series "Game of Thrones," is frequently cited. Allen discusses in interviews that portraying a character who could be viewed negatively does not represent his personal beliefs or conduct outside of the performing arts.

Think of life as a multi-set stage. Alfie Allen may be seen playing Theon Greyjoy on one set, who is infamous for making decisions that many viewers find hard to understand. But leaving this set and entering another one shows a different image: Allen is living his private life here, surrounded by loved ones who recognize him for who he really is.

This quotation perfectly expresses how to tell an actor's on-screen persona from their true self. It illustrates the typical difficulty actors encounter when they are typecast or paired with characters that possess qualities that viewers may find objectionable. Allen's statement acknowledges that what we see on television does not always define the person behind the character and serves as a reminder to viewers to keep art and life apart.

Similar to how various scenes in a play add to a larger narrative but do not accurately reflect the playwright's or the actors' actual experiences, understanding this context enables us to appreciate the complexity of an actor's career and personal life.