Benedict Cumberbatch filming in Glasgow - city council leader welcomes Sky Atlantic show Melrose

Glasgow Live
Magdalene Dalziel
08:00, 28 OCT 2017

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch is heading to Glasgow this weekend.

But it will be more business than pleasure for the star, who will be in town to film scenes for Sky Atlantic show Melrose from Sunday (October 29) - Friday (November 3).

And city council leader Susan Aitken has welcomed the news, along with thousands of other excited residents.

She said: “It is great to see that yet another major production is coming to Glasgow to film.

"We look forward to welcoming the shoot to the city, and showing exactly why film and broadcast productions return to the city."

Susan also praised the hard work of Glasgow Film Office for setting up the shoot.


http://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/benedict-cumberbatch-filming-glasgow-city-13823590

James McAvoy’s tough past ‘perfect’ for bent cop (SCOTTISH EXPRESS) By: Greg Christison

The 34-year-old Last King of Scotland actor was cast to play bigoted and corrupt detective sergeant Bruce Robertson whose addictions to sex, drugs and alcohol are portrayed vividly throughout the film.

But Peterhead-born director Jon S Baird admitted he initially presumed McAvoy - who was brought up on a rough housing estate in Glasgow's Drumchapel - would be too "middle-class" for the role.

Recalling when he and producer Ken Marshall were first introduced to the father-of-one at a London hotel in early 2011, Mr Baird said: "I remember the day we met so well.

"Irvine, Ken and I were waiting for him to arrive, and in walked James wearing a baseball cap, looking about 15-years-old. 

"Irvine and Ken left us together and as soon as we started talking about the character, James completely changed into this grizzled, middle aged cop."

He continued: "He started telling me about his tough upbringing and life in Glasgow growing up with his grandparents. I originally thought James was a middle-class Scotsman but he's definitely not. He's far edgier than people might first imagine.

"McAvoy's intelligence, humour and edge, but more importantly his comprehension of mental illness, immediately put him in a league of his own, and the hunt for Bruce Robertson had come to an end."

In the movie, McAvoy - also known for his roles in X-Men and Atonement - plays Robertson, a racist, homophobic and sexist Edinburgh policeman who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/413000/James-McAvoy-s-tough-past-perfect-for-bent-cop

Emma Thompson and mum Phyllida Law receive doctorates in Glasgow STV 2 July 2013 08:48 BST (STV)

Emma Thompson and her mother Phyllida Law have received honorary doctorates in drama from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, which is based in Glasgow.

The women were awarded with doctorates in drama from the renowned educational centre, formerly known as the Royal Scottish Academy for Music and Drama (RSAMD).

Oscar-winner Emma, who has starred in a number of titles in the genres of television and film, from her stint in eighties series Alfresco and Tutti Frutti to movies such as Love Actually to the Harry Potter movies, is also an accomplished screenwriter, having penned scripts for works including the 1995 film Sense and Sensibility.

It is just the latest honour for the star, with Emma picking up a number of Baftas and Oscars throughout her long-running career.

Emma was born into a family of actors. Her father was Eric Thompson, creator of The Magic Roundabout and her mother is also a successful actress. Her sister is actress Sophie Thompson, and Emma's husband is Royal Conservatoire alumnus Greg Wise.

Alan Cummings: A host of stars turned out to see Alan Cummings in a new production of the Shakespeare tragedy (E.) BY JOANNA CRAWLEY ON APRIL 22, 201

Alan Cumming has bought his one man production of Macbeth to Broadway (Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com)

Alan Cumming's new production of Macbeth might be a one man show but the Scottish star was supported by a full cast of friends at the opening night on Broadway yesterday with Jodie Foster, Rosario Dawson and Jonny Lee Miller all in attendance.

Cumming, A 1998 Tony winner for his part in Cabaret, opened his play at New York's Ethel Barrymore theatre following sell out runs in Glasgow and the Lincoln Center Festival last year.

The actor's friends and co-stars came out to support his big night with Alan's The Good Wife co-star Julianna Marguiles taking her seat alongside Elementary star Jonny Lee Miller.

READ MORE:  http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/112370/Jodie-Foster-And-Rosario-Dawson-Take-Their-Seats-For-Macbeths-Broadway-Opening-PHOTOS

Scots comedy legend Billy Connolly in tears as he accepts BAFTA award

Kevin Bridges and Billy Connolly

Billy Connolly sobbed as he received a Scottish Bafta award last night (10 Dec)

He was presented with a gong for an Outstanding Contribution in Television and Film by stand-up comedian Kevin Bridges. Kevin thanked Billy for being a inspiration to generations of Scots comics and Billy replied: “This is a delightful thing, especially coming from Scotland. “I’ve been nominated for loads of things and got b***** all. I occasionally get these good attendance things, like the guy in remedial class getting a prize for being kind. “Genuinely, to get this from Scotland, I almost say it breaks my heart. It just hits me somewhere where I live.”

As Billy burst into tears, the crowd in Glasgow’s Fruitmarket applauded wildly. He continued: “I don’t know what to do now. It’s been a real pleasure to talk to you. I guess you only get these things once … but could we meet every second week?”

The presentation came at the end of a 90-minute discussion about Billy’s Life In Pictures alongside a few dodgy jokes about thalidomide and the Gorbals. The Big Yin talked about his roles in films such as 1978’s Absolution with Richard Burton and Mrs Brown with Judi Dench. Of Burton, he said: “The funny thing was, I was drunk and he was sober. “They shot the graveyard scene from the back and what you couldn’t see was him singing I Belong to Glasgow. “He was a priest and I showed him where the pocket was in the cassock for his fags.”

Mrs Brown also left a big impression. Billy said: “At one point, I thought that Judi Dench fancied me. She kept giving me the eye in one scene and I thought, ‘What am I going to do?’ I danced about more and she started doing it again. “It was getting worse and then it dawned on me that she was being Queen Victoria, so I fancied her back.”

Billy admitted he was disappointed to miss out on a Bafta for Mrs Brown – instead it went to Ewan McGregor for Trainspotting. He said: “Ewan beat me with that filth about drugs in Edinburgh – and that language, too. “I hate Ewan for beating me. When you get beaten by somebody you like, it’s worse.

READ MORE: http://scottishactors.blogspot.com/2012/12/billy-connolly-bafta-award.html 

James McAvoy Runs with the Olympic Torch! (just jared)

James McAvoy runs down Buchanan Street carrying the Olympic Torch during the leg between Stranrear and Glasgow early last month in Glasgow, Scotland.



The 33-year-old actor is one of thousands of people who received the chance to carry the Olympic Flame during a 70-day relay covering 8,000 miles.

READ MORE: http://www.justjared.com/2012/07/02/james-mcavoy-runs-with-the-olympic-torch/

Actor James McAvoy carries Olympic torch in hometown Last updated Fri 8 Jun 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PdNcFyyHnY&feature=related

James McAvoy: Olympic flame: Torch relay begins Scotland tour (BBC UK)

Scotland has welcomed the Olympic torch for the first time as the relay travels from Stranraer to Glasgow on day 21.

Soldier Ross McClelland was cheered by thousands as he ran in the seaside town.

Also among Friday's stopping points was the birthplace of Scotland's bard Robert Burns in Alloway.

Atonement star James McAvoy will carry the flame in his native Glasgow ahead of an evening celebration in George Square.

The 128 bearers include Olympians rower Katherine Grainger and gold medal curler Rhona Martin and the flame is due at Hampden Park, Scotland's national football stadium in Glasgow, at about 16:30 BST.

Friday's 138-mile route takes in Stranraer, Cairnryan, Ballantrae, Girvan, Turnberry, Maidens, Kirkoswald, Maybole, Alloway, Ayr, Kilmarnock, Kilmaurs, Stewarton, Dunlop, Barrmill, Beith, Lochwinnoch, Kilmalcolm, Port Glasgow, Rutherglen, Giffnock and Glasgow.


READ MORE:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18353622