Scottish Actors

Sunday, 7 April 2013

Douglas Henshall: 'Shetland' second series commissioned

Shetland crime drama returns for more

Douglas Henshall is returning to lead the cast in the debut of 'Shetland' as detective Jimmy Perez. Photo BBC BBC ONE has commissioned a further six episodes of the murder mystery Shetland based on the crime novels of author Ann Cleeves to be filmed in the isles this year.
Following the huge success of the initial two part debut featuring actor Douglas Henshall as detective Jimmy Perez, the broadcaster has commissioned three more Shetland books by Cleeves for the TV screen.
The initial two part drama Shetland was based on Red Bones, the third book in Cleeves' Shetland Quartet, and was watched by more than 12 million people over two nights last month.

Two of the remaining books in the quartet will now be filmed by ITV Studios as two 60 minute episodes with screenplays from three different writers.
Read more at Shetland News

Also reported by Digital Spy, Red Magazine, and many others, and tweeted by the BBC

Karen Gillan: Walking Dead ad for Nerdist

Photo courtesy of GeekMom

Watch Karen Gillan’s “Walking Dead”-Inspired Skin Care Ad for “The Nerdist”
From Three If By Space:

In case you were wondering, that’s the face of Karen Gillan. Look closely and you can tell…I think.
She’s been a model in real life and as Amelia Pond on Doctor Who she even played a model, but never quite like this. In a hilarious send-up of makeup advertisements, Karen Gillan got an undead makeover for a special The Walking Dead-themed episode of BBC America’s The Nerdist.
This video is only one of a series of z’Ombéal skin care ads that will be featured in the episode of The Nerdist to air on Saturday, April 6 on BBC America. If you didn’t already have enough reason to stay home glued to the television while BBC America offers up the best Saturday night since disco, then here’s one more.

Read more at Three If By Space

Also reported by GeekMom and many others

Emun Elliott: interview

Q&A with Game of Thrones and Labyrinth star Emun Elliott, 29, who talks cruise ships, John Lennon and comfort food

Tell us about your role in Labyrinth...
I play a 12th-century French chevalier, a sword-wielding, horse-riding knight. It’s more enjoyable when I’m disguised in some way; stepping into someone else’s shoes is part of the reason why I became an actor.
Had you read Kate Mosse’s novel before accepting the role?
I’ve been in a few things based on books but I never read them until I’m offered the job – I think it would be torture to read it and not get the part. But when I got this part I did read Labyrinth and I really enjoyed it – it’s epic and sprawling.
Ever had a career back-up plan?
I had to wait a month to find out if I’d got into drama school, and I started to look into cruise ships. So if they had taken me I would have ended up on some enormous liner singing to bored passengers. I’m glad that acting worked out.
So you’re musical?
I’ve played the violin since I was seven but stopped because there was a stage when it became ‘uncool’. I was listening to Nirvana and wanted to play the guitar, so I ditched the violin. I play guitar to this day – and piano. If there was a way to combine music with acting for a role it would be amazing.
Read more (and watch a Labyrinth trailer) at Daily Mail

Blythe Duff: 'Good With People'

Good With People
From New Yorker:

Business has been slow since a nuclear naval base opened in the Scottish seaside town where Helen (Blythe Duff) manages a small hotel, and so she is surprised when a stranger (Andrew Scott-Ramsay) wants to rent a room. She’s even more surprised, though, when the young man turns out to be one of the four navy brats who brutalized her son at a rally protesting nuclear weapons years before. David Harrower’s fifty-five-minute drama, directed by George Perrin (part of “Brits Off Broadway”), is a study in how two people with reason to hate each other might, after years apart, not only see each other anew but develop a particularly strong bond. But the short piece, though polished, feels more like a sketch than a fleshed-out play.

Previews begin March 27, opens April 3, closes April 21

Tony Curran: 'Defiance' and 'Labyrinth' news, videos, and interviews

The Votans are coming @DefianceWorld April 15th 9pm syfy UK 16th

Source: Tony Curran (Twitter)

Defiance Trailer: Amanda
A tough-as-nails town like Defiance requires an even tougher leader. Luckily, they have just the woman for the job.
Watch the trailer here

Defiance - Video: 'Theme From Defiance' - NEW Series Premieres Apr 15 '13 on Syfy
Premise: A war between humans and aliens has left Earth forever changed in this futuristic drama, which follows a group of survivors as they struggle to rebuild and live together in peace.
Defiance cast includes Tony Curran, Jaime Murray, Julie Benz, Mia Kirshner, Grant Bowler, Stephanie Leonidas and Graham Greene.
Read more at Antipodalarapaima

Tweet from Tony Curran: "Looking forward to inviting the world in to our home"

Source: Tony Curran (Twitter)

Jaime Murray & Tony Curran, MCM Expo Birmingham 2013
Actors from new SyFy channel show Defiance talk a little about their roles and characters.
See more at Vimeo

Actor Tony Curran reveals new sci-fi and mystical side as he plays roles in Labyrinth and film Defiance
His first taste of acting was at 14 when he was a pupil at Holyrood Secondary in Glasgow and went for auditions for STV kids’ drama Stookie.

If Tony Curran’s recent roles are the stuff of fantasy, real life isn’t far off it either.

The actor, 43, is starring alongside Downton Abbey’s Jessica Brown Findlay in Labyrinth, Channel 4’s drama based on the multi-million-selling novel by Kate Mosse.

And he will next be seen as an alien gangster in sci-fi drama Defiance.

They are the latest stops on a whirlwind career which has taken in films including Steven Spielberg’s The Adventures of Tintin, the award-winning Red Road and The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, not to mention roles in the Underworld and Blade franchises.

His TV credits include CSI, 24, Boardwalk Empire, Pillars Of The Earth, Young Herriot and Doctor Who.

Tony, who now lives in Los Angeles with his wife Mai, said: “It’s been an amazing journey. I’ve lived in London, New York and now LA.

“I have been very fortunate to be able to work and get the opportunity to play different roles.

“It’s nice to do big studio pictures and then work in Glasgow on films like Red Road and then dress up as a vampire or an alien. I think that’s why a lot of people are actors – the versatility.

“I’ve been lucky. I don’t for a minute take for granted the good fortune I have had. You don’t like to get ideas above your station, especially a boy from the south side of Glasgow.”

Read more at Daily Record

Defiance - Gamer Hub: Tony Curran Video Interview at Antipodalarapaima

Defiance Trailer: This Place - YouTube

Defiance Preview at SciFi Talk

Defiance Launches Today! Learn More about the Video Game/TV Show Crossover's Challenges, Languages and Cultures, Soundtrack, and Lots More!
Read all about it at Dread Central

Defiance: Game and Show Convergence
Defiance: Watch the Show, Play the Game. Discover how these two properties work together to create a transmedia experience. Learn more here.

SciFi Mafia Talks DEFIANCE With Showrunner and Game Developer - here

Defiance: Behind the Scenes - Tony Curran - Game (here)

Defiance Debuts on SF Australia on April 18
Full article at Capsule Computers

From Geeks of Doom:

Buy The ‘Defiance’ Video Game, Get $20 Towards Instant Video To Watch The TV Series

Last month, we brought you news from SXSW for the Syfy Channel’s new TV series and video game combo Defiance. The television show premieres on Syfy on April 15, 2013 at 9/8c and stars Grant Bowler, Julie Benz, Stephanie Leonidas, Tony Curran, Jaime Murray, Graham Greene and Mia Kirshner, while the video game was released today, April 2.
For the Defiance video game, if your purchase it for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, or PC by April 15, 2013, you’ll get a $20 Amazon Instant Video credit good towards the TV series premiering online on April 16 through Amazon Instant Video streaming service. See the Bonus Offer box on the product page for more details.

Alan Cumming: Shakespeare CD, 'Macbeth' ticket offer, awards ceremony hosting

Shakespeare

Alan Cumming performs Shakespeare's "Greatest Hits" on new CD, The Head That Wears a Crown
"To be or not to be" and "Now is the winter of our discontent" are included on this 22-track CD of Shakespeare's most famous speeches.

Cover art for <i>The Head That Wears a Crown</i>, courtesy of GPR Records

Cover art for The Head That Wears a Crown, courtesy of GPR Records

Combine your favorite audio book with your favorite NOW CD, add a dash of Alan Cumming, and you've got the most sophisticated thing ever to happen to long car trips. Tony and Emmy Award winner Alan Cumming (Cabaret), the Shakespearean man-of-the-hour who is currently preparing to open his one-man rendition of Macbeth at the Ethel Barrymore Theater this month, is also preparing to release a 22-track CD of Shakespeare's most famous speeches entitled The Head That Wears a Crown. Produced by GPR Records, the CD contains selections from As You Like It, Coriolanus, Hamlet, Henry V, Henry VIII, King Lear, Macbeth, Richard II, The Tempest, Titus Andronicus, and Twelfth Night, chosen by Cumming personally. The digital release is set for April 3, with a full release scheduled for April 26.
Read more at TheaterMania

Macbeth

Rush Ticket policy announced for Alan Cumming's Macbeth on Broadway

photo courtesy of Playbill

Producers have announced a "$30 Under 30" rush ticket policy for the new one-man Broadway production of Macbeth starring Tony Award winner Alan Cumming, which begins Broadway previews April 7 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.
Individuals under 30 years of age with a valid ID indicating their birth date will be able to purchase one ticket at the Barrymore box office for day-of performances to the production that will officially open April 21.
Read more at Playbill

Alan Cumming guest stars in the season finale of "The Outs"
The Outs, a critically-acclaimed and crowd-funded web series about friends, lovers and exes in Brooklyn, is wrapping up with Alan Cumming guest starring in the finale episode. Adam Goldman, the show's creator, spoke to BuzzFeed via email about the finale and how The Outs got started.
Read more at BuzzFeed

Drama League Awards

David Hyde Pierce to Host Drama League Awards; Honorary Co-Chairs Include Alan Cumming, Nathan Lane & More
Read more at Broadway

Robert Carlyle: 'Once Upon A Time' book, more 'Trainspotting' sequel rumours, 'California Solo' DVD

Once Upon A Time

Titan Books to release insider's guide to "Once Upon a Time"

promo photo for Once Upon a Time: An Insider's Guide

Credits: promotional photo from Amazon.com

Amazon.com released pre-order details yesterday for the "Once Upon a Time" insiders guide, to be published October 1, 2013.
The book will be published by Titan Books, as a companion to the tv show which is nearing the end of its second season. The show already has a tie-in magazine, by Titan publishing and Marvel Comics is working on a graphic novel based on the Fairy Tale Land relationship between Regina Mills and the Huntsman, Graham.
Read more at Examiner

Trainspotting sequel

From Examiner:

Danny Boyle considers bringing back Robert Carlyle for 'Trainspotting' sequel
British director Danny Boyle, writer of "Trainspotting", talks to Irish Independant about his 1996 hit and a possible sequel reuniting the original actors, according to a video segment, released today on the Irish newspaper's website.
As the interviewer discusses Danny's latest film release, "Trance", he mentions his other films, not the least of which is the '90s hit, "Trainspotting" a wild look at the gritty, violent heroin culture. Robert Carlyle portrayed psychotic Begbie, whose hair-trigger temper and misguided judgments for his friends' heroin addictions made for a memorable performance.

Peter Capaldi: book foreword, and interview

Peter Capaldi hails the work of legendary rock photographer Harry Papadopoulos

The snapper captured Scotland's music stars in the late 1970s and 80s. Here, Thick of It star Peter Capaldi pays tribute in the foreword to a new book.

The alternative Glasgow scene of the late 1970s and early 80s was a world of energy and bristling creativity.
Even the nihilists and anarchists had to figure out what to wear and what chords to play.
It was a time when you had to be in a band. Or make a fanzine. Or do something. And, thankfully for us, Harry chose to turn his lens on this world. It’s no surprise he himself was an example of the kind of artfulness and energy his pictures so vividly capture.
Of course, Harry soon graduated to the big bands and the proper music press but it’s his pictures of the bubbling Glasgow scene that get me most because I was there, hustling and begging for a gig like everyone else, and watching while others soared.
And I can attest to the fact that his pictures capture the excitement and punky chutzpah of the time. I was at some of the gigs pictured in this book.
The Cramps. We loved the gig so much, we even travelled to Edinburgh the following night to see them again (where singer Lux Interior had a stand-off with the venue janitor on stage in front of a seething sweaty mob of embryonic goths).

Read and see more (including photo above) at Daily Record

In The Loop - Peter Capaldi interview

Source: YouTube

Gerard Butler: 'Olympus Has Fallen' screening and review, 'Chasing Mavericks' review

FREE CINEMA TICKETS: Watch Gerard Butler in 'Olympus Has Fallen'
From Huffington Post:

To celebrate the release of Lionsgate UK’s action-thriller, 'Olympus Has Fallen', in cinemas Wednesday 17 April, HuffPost UK is happy to offer readers the chance to see the film before anyone else for free at a cinema near you on Monday 15 April.

Security officer Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) is the President (Aaron Eckhart)'s last hope in 'Olympus Has Fallen' (photo courtesy of Huffington Post)

Read more at Huffington Post for your chance to see the film at a special preview on 15 April at 6:30pm

Olympus Has Fallen review by The Stylus

Chasing Mavericks review by Inside Pulse

Ewen Bremner: 'Snowpiercer' character passports

Character Passports Introduce the Inhabitants of Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Snowpiercer’

Snowpiercer is Korean director Bong Joon-ho‘s first English-language outing, but he’s managed to assemble a cast even the most experienced Hollywood directors would kill for, including Tilda Swinton, Octavia Spencer, John Hurt, Ed Harris, Chris Evans, and Song Kangho.
We’ve seen little of those stars so far, aside from a poster here and a still image there, but today we have much better looks at all of them thanks to a series of character “passports.”
Read more at Slash Film
Also reported by Giant Freakin Robot, Big Gay Picture Show, Bloody Disgusting, and many others.

Paul Brannigan: 'The Angels' Share' screenings

Indie Films Fernie wraps up season with The Angels’ Share

Indie Films Fernie (IFF) is wrapping another season of unique and independent movies with The Angels’ Share. The Scottish comedy-drama tells the story of a young Glaswegian father determined to turn over a new leaf.
IFF is proud to present the award-winning, bittersweet comedy as the final movie of the season. The Angels’ Share will play Monday, 7 p.m., at the Vogue Theatre.
IFF will return for a new season of independent film in September.
Tickets: Members – Adult $9, Youth $8, Standard – Adult, $10, Youth $9.
Read more at The Free Press

From This Is Somerset:

Film showcases tale of new dad
The Langport Community Cinema is showcasing the story of a man who tries to better himself after narrowly escaping jail.
The Angel's Share tells the tale of new dad Robbie, played by Paul Brannigan.
He vows to turn over a new leaf after a visit to a whisky distillery inspires him and his mates to seek a way out of their hopeless lives.
The cinema club is showing the film at the Great Bow Wharf, Bow Street, on Friday, April 26, at 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £5. For further details visit www.langport communitycinema.co.uk.

Source: This Is Somerset

John Barrowman: 'All Stars' clip and 'Arrow' highlight reel

All Stars

From Bleeding Cool:

John Barrowman Is The New Fred Astaire – Clip And Character Posters For All Stars
I’m off to see All Stars tomorrow morning and as soon as the embargo lifts, I’ll tell you what I think of it. It’s the first film by Ben Gregor, and he has good enough of a TV and short film comedy back catalogue to make his debut feature a pretty interesting prospect.
As a taster, here’s a rather smooth clip of John Barrowman doing his best Fred Astaire in one of the film’s stylised fantasy sequences. I was on set the day this was shot and saw it in 3D on the monitors, and there’s some good stereo stuff in the scene – maybe not so much in these shots, but elsewhere during the number.

All Stars opens aceoss the UK on May 3rd.
Read more at Bleeding Cool

Original source of the above clip: Digital Spy
Digital Spy's original article is here.

Arrow

Watch The Action-Packed ‘Arrow’ Highlight Reel From WonderCon
“Crime in the Glades is rising,” says Malcolm Merlyn (John Barrowman) in the thrilling new Arrow highlight reel that debuted at WonderCon.
Read more and watch the highlight reel at TV Equals

Edinburgh hotel names rooms after Scots celebs

A new city centre hotel has opened the doors to 30 bedrooms, but a host of Scots celebrities already have their names on them.
The Hope Street development, called Angels’ Share, has been painstakingly designed by one of Edinburgh’s leading pub tycoons, with individual rooms named after faces such as Sir Chris Hoy, Andy Murray, Kelly MacDonald, Gerard Butler and Ewan McGregor.
A New York-style speakeasy bar called the Devil’s Cut has also been installed in the basement of the former Hudson Hotel and Bar – accessed through a secret door which is only opened when drinkers whisper the  correct password.
Entrepreneur Billy Lowe, who also runs Le Monde in George Street, bought the site with his business partner Andy Pollard two years ago and has transformed it into a contemporary “cool and current” hotel and whisky bar.
He said: “I loved the idea of the Angels’ Share, the whisky that evaporates during distillation, and visited whisky bars all over the world to get a feel, but I also wanted to take the Scottish feel throughout the whole hotel. I didn’t want tartan and heather or kitsch and twee, but cool and  current.
“We also had the idea of naming rooms and theming them after Scots who were also cool and current. It’s similar to what we did at Le Monde with the worldwide cities, so we have rooms named after a number of different celebrities, local and national.”
Read more at Scotsman

Weekly schedule for The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Mo 4/8: Max Greenfield, Debbie Reynolds

Tu 4/9: Drew Carey, Jane Levy

We 4/10: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Myq Kaplan, He's My Brother She's My Sister

Th 4/11: Carl Reiner, Anna Chlumsky

Fr 4/12: Jason Biggs, Keke Palmer

Pages

Sunday, 7 April 2013