David Tennant: project news and updates

• Doctor Who

David Tennant to star in Doctor Who 50th anniversary
Doctor Who Magazine has announced that David Tennant and Billie Piper will appear in the Doctor Who 50th anniversary special episode which will air on Saturday 23rd November.
The episode will receive a limited worldwide 3D cinema release. Also starring in the episode will be John Hurt. Filming on the episode is imminent.
More information here.
Source: David Tennant on Twitter

David Tennant appears on Royal Mail Doctor Who stamp


A set of Doctor Who 50th anniversary commemorative stamps are issued on Tuesday 26th March by the Royal Mail. All 11 Doctors are shown on different stamps plus First Day Covers and different strips are available. More information here.
Source: David Tennant on Twitter
Paisley Daily Express has an article about David Tennant's name appearing on their local mail. The article also includes a quote from David's father.
Source: David Tennant on Twitter
Escapist Magazine reports that mail sent from Bathgate will will bear a Doctor Who 50th anniversary mark and David Tennant's name.
Source: David Tennant on Twitter

ShowMasters competition
ShowMasters have a competition to win a David Tennant autograph (and part of a TARDIS).
More information here.
Source: David Tennant on Twitter

• The Great Scott

David Tennant will play Walter Scott on BBC Radio Four on Sunday 14th April in a dramatisation of his book The Fair Maid Of Perth. This is the first of a three part celebration of the writer's work.
More information here.
Source: David Tennant on Twitter

• The Politician's Husband

Clips of  The Politician's Husband were shown last night (Saturday) in a BBC Two trailer of various forthcoming programmes. The trailer included a clip of David Tennant's character saying on the telephone (close-up facing the camera) "Rather you than me, love."
A video of the BBC Two Trailer (which includes the clips of The Politician's Husband) has been posted to YouTube.

Source: David Tennant on Twitter

The Telegraph lists The Politician's Husband in its 'Culture and Arts Things To See in April'. It says that it will air from Monday 22nd April. If that is correct then it means that the first episode of The Politician's Husband will broadcast on the day of the final episode of Broadchurch. If The Politician's Husband is similar to The Politician's Wife then it will have to be in a post 9pm watershed slot. Hopefully BBC Two will broadcast it at 10pm and not 9pm which is the broadcast time for Broadchurch!
Source: David Tennant on Twitter

• Broadchurch

All the latest reviews, photos, articles, etc. can be found here.

• Diary dates

Sun 31 Mar - David Tennant's episode of Shakespeare Uncovered about Hamlet premieres on ABC1 in Australia at 10.30pm.
Sun 31 Mar - The Doctors Revisited: The Third Doctor premieres on BBC America in the US at 8pm which includes David Tennant interview clips.
Mon 1 Apr - All six episodes of Earthflight will be repeated all day long on Eden.
Mon 1 Apr - Episode five of Broadchurch premieres on ITV at 9pm.
Wed 3 Apr - Episode one of Spies Of Warsaw premieres on BBC America in the US at 9pm.
Source: David Tennant on Twitter




All news items are from DavidTennantOnTwitter.com - the most frequently updated website about the actor David Tennant. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter

Dougray Scott: 'Hemlock Grove' interview

Dougray Scott Interview - 'Hemlock Grove'
Here is an interview of Famke Janssen and Dougray Scott who play respectively Olivia and Norman in the new Netflix series "Hemlock Grove". This was taken at WonderCon 2013.

Source: YouTube

Tony Roper: 'dream car' interview

Tony Roper's dream car is the Batmobile
He’s not too keen on the costume, but the playwright, actor and comedian just loves the Caped Crusader’s original bat wheels

 

Tony Roper does not even have to think twice.

His dream car? “The Batmobile. It’s got to be the Batmobile,” he declared.
“It does everything – there’s nothing it couldn’t get you. It would even make your tea and you could park it anywhere.
“I think we might look a bit silly in the outfits – Isobel and I sitting there dressed as Batman and Catwoman – but it just looks the business.
“I’d want the old one, not the new one – the one that was in the comics with the big fins at the back.”
And what about putting his underpants on over his trousers?
“I think you get an allowance in your insurance if you do that, but I’m reaching the age where I put my pants on over my trousers and I don’t realise I’ve done it.”
The delightful thing about reaching a certain age is that Tony can recall driving cars that the rest of us only dream about, the kind of classic car that you no longer find under a dust sheet in the garage of some ancient relative.
His first car, for example, was an Austin 10.
Read more at Daily Record

Siobhan Redmond: current stage and TV appearances

Siobhan Redmond reveals the Faustian pact that saw her delay getting her MBE from the Queen in order to star on stage
Scots star prepares to head home for a Citizens production of Doctor Faustus – once she finally collects her gong from Buckingham Palace.

Siobhan is excited to be on Citizens stage

Actress Siobhan Redmond has told how her trip to Buck House has been postponed because she’s having a devil of a time on stage.
Starring in Doctor Faustus forced the actress to delay her royal appointment to get her MBE – awarded in the New Year’s Honours list.
It is somehow fitting. The last time ­Christopher Marlowe’s 16th century classic played at Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre, in 1965, it caused a headline-grabbing rumpus over its depiction of the Queen.
Siobhan, 53, said: “I have not actually been to the Palace yet because the scheduled date was the morning after the press night of Doctor ­Faustus in Leeds and I knew I wouldn’t be able to do that. I have been pencilled in for May.
“Fortunately, they have been very helpful and accommodating. I think they realise the rogues and vagabonds who work freelance may not be able to come on the first date so they gave me a choice of subsequent dates.
“I was talking to my sister about this as we went through, yet again, what on earth we are going to wear, hats not featuring largely in her wardrobe and formal wear not ­featuring largely in mine.
“The thought that somebody other than myself might have enjoyed my work is completely delightful. I am not going to pretend to be cool about it.
"I am genuinely touched but, of course, it doesn’t make any difference as to whether or not I am ever likely to work again.”
But worrying where her next job will come from is not an immediate concern.
In the first place, there is her imminent return to her home town of Glasgow with the Citizens production of Doctor Faustus. And later this year, she will be reprising the role of Lady ­Macbeth in the National Theatre of ­Scotland’s production of ­Dunsinane, David Greig’s acclaimed sequel to ­Shakespeare’s Scottish play.
She is particularly excited about ­bringing Christopher Marlowe’s mythic tale about the dangers of making bargains with the Devil to the Citz. Partly because she is playing the role of Mephistopheles, which is highly unusual for an actress, but also because it has finally brought her into the fold at the Citizens Theatre.
Read more at Daily Record



Doctors Series 14 - 213. Tea for Three
From Radio Times:

Siobhan Redmond guest-stars as a slightly scatty woman who gets stuck in the hospital lift with Jimmi. After Carrie’s young son — also called Jimmi — died during an operation, she marks the precise anniversary with a picnic at the hospital. But while she’s used rituals and signs to help her cope with the grief, she says her husband, a once calm and quiet cellist, became a live-for-today “wild child”. But her colleague Reggie (Adrian Hood) later reveals something about her that alarms Jimmi.
Meanwhile, Emma presents her version of Sam’s last moments to the police but her colleagues at the Mill — and specifically Howard — doubt her story.
About this programme
213/221. Jimmi becomes trapped in a lift with a woman who has relied on a strong belief in fate to cope with the death of her son, but which has also prevented her moving on from her grief. Meanwhile, Emma relays her version of Sam's final moments to colleagues and DI Collier, while Daniel tries to win back Zara.

Read more at Radio Times

Greg Hemphill and Pamela Byrne: charity support

Scottish stars help vital charity to really have a ball

TV stars, sponsors and friends have rallied round to help a Lenzie-based charity take a step closer to realising its dream.
Deafblind Scotland hosted its second ‘Field of Dreams’ Gala Ball recently at the Thistle Hotel in Glasgow to raise funds for a £1.3million training and resource centre in Lenzie.
‘Chewin’ the Fat’ and ‘Still Game’ star Greg Hemphill was there, along with ‘River City’ actress Pamela Byrne, who plays Hayley in the soap.
They joined supporters, sponsors and members of the deafblind community – letting their hair down to support the building of a Scottish centre for the dual sensory impaired on the ‘Field of Dreams’ site in East Dunbartonshire.
Greg later Tweeted: “Had a really amazing time at Deafblind Scotland’s Field of Dreams Gala Ball tonight.
“Met some lovely, amazing and inspirational people.”
Read more at Kirkintilloch Herald

Ewan McGregor: more 'Star Wars' spin-off rumours

From Examiner.com:

Rumors of Obi-Wan vs. Darth Maul 'Star Wars' spin-off
Comic Book News reported on March 28 that Disney is developing a “Star Wars” spin-off that would feature Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul. This film would be set between “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith” and “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.”
Ewan McGregor, who played Obi-Wan in all three “Star Wars” prequels, has previously expressed an interest in returning to the role.

Read more at Examiner

Stephen McCole joins the 'Black Watch' cast

Stephen McCole joins the Black Watch cast

Stephen McCole as Lord Elgin, one of three roles he plays in Black Watch 

 

Debates over the Iraq war have raged now for 10 years, and don't looking like stopping any time soon.
The award-winning Black Watch, returning to Glasgow's SECC, moves beyond the politics, to look at the true story of the Scottish boys on the frontline and the history of their now disbanded regiment.
The latest production of the award-winning drama opens next Thursday, and Glasgow actor Stephen McCole, who plays three parts, including First Minister Alex Salmond, said the cast were looking forward to bringing the show home to Scotland.
He said: "It is definitely more nervous performing at home.
"A lot of the boys have done it in the SECC before and they are like, 'it is crazy, the Scottish audiences really get behind it, they are there with you every second of the way'. It also means the boys get to do it in a really strong Scottish accent.
"I don't get to do a strong Scottish accent at any point, unless you count Alex Salmond, which is not really that strong.
"I'm looking forward to doing it at home, it is nerve-racking but it should be great, it should be fun."
Read more at Evening Times 

James McAvoy: 'Trance' video review, Olivier Awards nomination for Macbeth

Trance - video review
In an excerpt from this week's Guardian Film Show Henry Barnes, Peter Bradshaw and Andrew Pulver head deep into James McAvoy's noggin with Danny Boyle's new psychological thriller. McAvoy plays am amnesiac criminal who has forgotten where he's hidden a priceless Goya and recruits a hypnotherapist (Rosario Dawson) to help him find it. Trance also stars Vincent Cassel as a ruthless gangster
Watch the video review at The Guardian

Olivier Awards 2013
Stars of the silver screen Helen Mirren, James McAvoy and Rupert Everett in competition for top theatre gongs

The nominations for the 2013 Olivier Awards were announced at The May Fair hotel earlier today, and Mirren was instantly installed among the favourites to secure the best actress award for her latest turn as the Queen in The Audience.
She will come up against Scott Thomas, star of The English Patient, for her performance in Old Times, Billie Piper, who was in The Effect, and Hattie Morahan for A Doll's House. The Audience was also nominated for best new play, and Stephen Daldry is in the running for best director.
Another production to open in recent weeks was Macbeth at the Trafalgar Studios, and  it was nominated for best revival as well as a nod for film star McAvoy in the lead role.
He will face Everett, for his role as Oscar Wilde in The Judas Kiss, as well as Mark Rylance for Twelfth Night, Rafe Spall – recently seen in Life of Pi – for Constellations and Luke Treadaway, who starred in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
Read more (including full nominations list) at The Independent

Also reported by Hollywood Reporter and others

Daniel Kerr: two awards in one week!

Daniel Kerr with Karen Dunbar

It's been a busy week for Daniel!

On Thursday Daniel Kerr scooped the BAFTA Best New Talent Award, then on Saturday he won the Scottish Variety Award for Best New Actor!

We're awaiting press reports on the event, but in the meantime - congratulations, Daniel!

More reports on Daniel's BAFTA win:
Scotsman
Milngavie Herald
The Sun

Emun Elliott: 'Labyrinth' guide

From MSN's guide to Labyrinth:

Actor Emun Elliott's TV credits include Monarch of the Glen, BBC Three's Lip Service, Inspector George Gently, crime drama Vera, Comedy Central sitcom Threesome and BBC1's The Paradise. He also played the role of Marillion in HBO series, Game of Thrones.
Read more at MSN

Tony Curran: 'Labyrinth' and 'Defiance' updates

• Labyrinth

From MSN's guide to Labyrinth:

As Kate Mosse's official website explains, Guy d'Evreux is: "a northern lord, with lands in Evreux in Brittany. Evreux is a cruel, unscrupulous man, obsessed with discovering the secret of the Grail."
Guy is played by actor Tony Curran who has popped up in everything from movies Shallow Grave, Gladiator, Blade II, Miami Vice and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen to TV series including the likes of This Life, Numb3rs, Primeval, 24 and The Mentalist. Doctor Who fans will recognise him from his portrayal of Vincent Van Gogh and there's also CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Hunt for Tony Blair (as Robin Cook), Boardwalk Empire and Hawaii Five-0.
Source (including photo): MSN

Win Labyrinth on DVD, The Novel by Kate Mosse and an Autographed Cast Photo
From Filmoria:

Based on the best selling novel by Kate Mosse, Labyrinth is a brand new TV series coming soon to Channel 4 and soon to be released on UK DVD, April 1. The story flips between two times, Medieval and modern day, but in the same location of Carcassone, France. Jessica Brown Findlay stars as Alaïs Pelletier and Vanessa Kirby as Dr. Alice Tanner. The all star cast also includes John Hurt, Tom Felton, Sebastian Stan, Tony Curran, Kate Mosse, John Lynch and Janet Suzman.

Here’s the great news: we’ve teamed up with Universal UK to give away a copy of Labyrinth on DVD, as well as a copy of the novel by Kate Mosse and an autographed photo signed by cast members Katie McGrath, Vanessa Kirby, Kate Mosse, Chris Smith, and Emun Elliott. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is read the synopsis and answer the question that follows.

Labyrinth is out on DVD on 1st April courtesy of Universal Pictures (UK) 

Read more at Filmoria

• Defiance

The Tarrs are looking forward to getting on the Defiance bus.

 

Source: Tony Curran (Twitter)




‘Defiance’ Series Premiere: Watch the First 14 Minutes Now    
With a widespread marketing campaign and a multi-platform tie-in video game launching just shy of simultaneously for Defiance, Syfy is working hard to get the word out about their new sci-fi/western series. Now, three weeks prior to the show’s launch, the cable network is releasing the first 14 minutes and 27 seconds of the pilot episode.

From Kevin Murphy (Caprica), the show is set in a near-future earth that has been wrecked and re-shaped by invading aliens. The show stars Grant Bowler (True Blood), Stephanie Leonidas (MirrorMask), Jamie Murray (Warehouse 13), Graham Greene (Twilight: New Moon), and Julie Benz (Dexter) as the residents of a small “border town” called Defiance, which has risen from the remnants of St. Louis.

Here’s the official synopsis for the show from Syfy:

In the year 2046, it’s a new Earth – with new rules. Over thirty years after various alien races arrived on Earth, the landscape is completely altered, terraformed nearly beyond recognition. To the town of Defiance, on what used to be St. Louis, comes the mysterious Nolan (Grant Bowler) and his charge, Irisa (Stephanie Leonidas). As they settle into town – overseen by the mayor, Amanda Rosewater (Julie Benz) and filled with residents like the powerful Rafe McCawley (Graham Greene), enterprising lounge owner Kenya (Mia Kirshner) and the ambitious, alien Tarrs (Tony Curran and Jaime Murray) – events begin to unfold that threaten the fragile peace this border town has fought for.

Defiance premieres April 15th @9pm on Syfy
Read more at ScreenRant


Defiance Panel with Tony Curran and Jaime Murray at MCM Birmingham Comic Con
Defiance makes for a uniquely immersive property, in that it is both a MMO video game and also an epic sci-fi drama series. Jaime Murray and Tony Curran were at the MCM Birmingham Comic Con to talk about the upcoming TV series that they both star in.

The show follows on from the aftermath of a great war between various races of aliens and humans. With the Earth unstable and a distinct lack of any government, both aliens and humans realise that they’ll have to cooperate if they wish to survive. The frontier town of Defiance is of the few with a sense of order, co-founded by Datak Tarr (Tony Curran), a Castithan who is happy to work alongside other races and wishes for a better future for his family. However, his wife Stahma Tarr (Jaime Murray) wishes to break from the traditional roles expected of her by her caste and at times goads her husband into gaining more control.

“They couldn’t agree how we should look,” said Jaime on her and Tony’s appearance in the show. “They wanted us to look human enough, be the closest to human so you can relate to us, but still alien.”

“Eventually once we got it, it takes about two hours to apply the wigs,” said Tony. “There are other characters there that have more prosthetics, more alien like as it were. We’re alien enough, we do have our own language.”

“I learnt loads of alien,” said Jaime of the new language she had to learn for her character, created by David Peterson who is also responsible for the Dothraki language in Game of Thrones. “Our language is spoken very, very fast. I listened to these tapes and I thought, ‘Oh my God!’ I mean I mess up the English language; I don’t need another language to mess up! I really learnt it, and I just said it for weeks.”

Tony also praised the show’s costume supervisor, Colleen Atwood. “She’s done mainly all of Tim Burton’s movies. She’s incredibly talented. [The costumes had] a nice look to it; it didn’t try too hard to have this alien exterior.”

“The costumes, they ended up being quite period, quite vintage,” said Jaime. “I wear a lot of corsets, I’m often laced into stuff. I need someone else to dress me in the mornings! Sometimes I have to have them come to the loo with me!”

Read more at MCMbuzz



Tony Curran Breaks Down the ‘Defiance’ World
Syfy is placing a big bet with the April 15th premiere of the new multi-platform show “Defiance.” The multi-player online game bows on April 2nd, followed by the TV series. This unique fusion of a gaming aspect tied in with a sci-fi television series has genre fans eager to explore this new world. The series stars Julie Benz (“Dexter“), Grant Bowler (“Lost“), Jaime Murray (“Warehoue 13“) and Tony Curran (“Doctor Who“). We recently caught up with Curran, who plays the cunning and power-hungry alien Datak Tarr, to discuss the scope of the show, the breakdown of the aliens on the series, and how much of a gamer he is.
Read the full interview at Xfinity

“Defiance” will launch as a multi-player online game on April 2, while “Defiance” the TV series will premiere Monday, April 15 at 9/8c on Syfy.


Videos -
Making of Defiance: Tarrs vs McCawleys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5m1oBO5PZs
Watch the First 14 Minutes of Defiance  
http://www.syfy.com/videos/Defiance/First%2014%20Minutes/vid:2634770
Syfy Releases The First 14 Minutes Of ‘Defiance’  
http://sciencefiction.com/2013/03/26/syfy-releases-the-first-14-minutes-of-defiance/
Defiance Tony Curran Interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8a75TYQUVc&feature=player_embedded
Defiance - Red Carpet News TV: Tony Curran Video Interview
http://antipodalarapaima.blogspot.ru/2013/03/defiance-red-carpet-news-tv-tony-curran.html?spref=tw
Defiance Trailer: Changed World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=k_MkyjVRZlw
Defiance | Feature-Length Trailer | Syfy
http://www.syfy.co.uk/defiance 
Defiance | New & Exclusive | Tuesday 9pm from 16th April
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_pQMflDA8bI#!

Photos -
We don't recommend getting into an argument with a Castithan. You won't win. Trust us
https://twitter.com/DefianceWorld/status/315840762904449026
http://ow.ly/i/1KsbO/original
The Tarr's are taking a bite of the Big Apple
https://twitter.com/TonyCurran69/status/316998075392602112/photo/1
@TonyCurran69, have you seen this?
https://twitter.com/Tara_to_a_T/status/316276741867982848/photo/1

Alan Cumming: backstage at Macbeth, and new audiobook role

The Cumming Attraction: Backstage at Macbeth with Alan Cumming, Episode 3: The Underpants Giveaway!
From Broadway.com:

We always knew Broadway.com video blogger Alan Cumming was “kind of a rock star!” The "Scottish play" headliner chats with Chris Noth (kinda), gets his first Macbeth injury, has a fabulous fashion show and gives away undies.

See more episodes at Broadway

There's a short Macbeth article at Huffington Post

Armistead Maupin audio book series features Alan Cumming

Tony Award winners Alan Cumming, Frances McDormand and Cynthia Nixon are among the actors who read the work of "Tales of the City" novelist Armistead Maupin in a new audio book series from Harper Collins.

Maupin, best known for his San Francisco-set series "Tales of the City," is celebrated in the new six-part audio book series from HarperAudio, which was released March 26. Each of the works is presented in unabridged form.
"Tales of the City" and "Further Tales of the City" are read by Good People Tony Award winner McDormand; "More Tales of the City" and "Significant Others" are read by Wit and Rabbit Hole star Nixon; Cumming (Macbeth, Cabaret) reads "Babycakes"; and Emmy Award-winning "Will & Grace" and The Best Man star Eric McCormack reads "Sure of You."
Read more (and listen to an excerpt) at Playbill

James Cosmo: interviews

The Movie Cafe: James Cosmo

Janice Forsyth presents a very special conversation with one of Scotland's best loved film actors.
James Cosmo has been a larger than life presence on our big screens since his movie debut in The Battle Of Britain in 1969 alongside Michael Caine and Christopher Plummer. Since then he's played a hairy clansmen in Highlander, a drug addict's father in Trainspotting, William Wallace's right hand man in Braveheart and is currently dominating screens as part of the Game Of Thrones TV series.
In this in-depth interview he discusses how he was considered for the role of James Bond, his involvement in plans for a Scottish Film Studio and how Mel Gibson interrupted a Saturday night at home with news that would change his life.
Listen to the interview at BBC Radio Scotland

Game of Thrones
James Cosmo On Playing Mormont
James Cosmo reveals where 'Game of Thrones' Season 3 picks back up for Mormont!
MTV

Billy Connolly: art and museum exhibitions

Billy Connolly's art work at the Castle Fine Art on The Promenade in Cheltenham
Comedian Billy Connolly's art work is coming to a Cheltenham gallery.
Ink drawings from the BAFTA nominated actor, comedian, musician and presenter will be hanging his work at the Castle Fine Art on The Promenade.
His collection of six prints is his second foray into the world of contemporary art and is influenced by his filming of The Hobbit.

Read more at This is Gloucestershire 
Billy's art work will also be on show in Cambridge and Liverpool.

Billy Connolly's trike goes on display at North-east museum
A trike used by comedy legend Billy Connolly is the star attraction at a Grampian Transport Museum as it gets set to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Source: Evening Express 

Robert Carlyle nominated for Canadian science fiction award

Robert Carlyle nominated for Canadian science fiction award

Robert Carlyle has been nominated for a Canadian Constellation award for his performance in "The Crocodile", episode 4 of "Once Upon a Time" season 2.
The Constellation Awards recognize excellence in science fiction and fantasy in Canadian film and television, and allows the Canadian public to vote for their favorites. It is the only Canadian science fiction and fantasy television awards show that allows voting by the public, and has been going strong since 2007.
Voting opens in March and continues on to June 1, 2013.
The awards ceremony is held in Markham, Ontario June 22nd, 2013 at the Holiday Inn Hotel
Read more (including how to vote, and where to buy tickets) at Examiner

Peter Capaldi: interview

Peter Capaldi on life after The Thick of It

Peter Capaldi as Leonardo Da Vinci in Sky Arts' new show. Picture: Ellis O'Brien/ Contributed

He found a new level of fame as foul-mouthed Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It, but Peter Capaldi is happy to see the back of it as he focuses on a more enigmatic character - Leonardo Da Vinci.
Peter Capaldi has a solemn announcement to make: Malcolm is no more. The 54-year-old Scottish actor reveals that he will no longer be playing Malcolm Tucker in BBC2’s much garlanded politi-com The Thick of It. Whisper it, the sweary-est, angriest, most charismatic character in television comedy has uttered his final baroque curse.
The character is so widely adored he has won the actor a mantelpiece-endangering number of awards. To underline Tucker’s popularity, total strangers often stop Capaldi in the street and ask him to abuse them. However, the actor says that, after the fictional spin doctor was seen being arrested at the end of the last series, he will not re-emerge on our screens. “Of course I love Malcolm,” says the Glasgow-born actor. “He is great. And I’m very grateful that he is so popular.
“Why do people like him so much? Is it because bad guys get all the best lines? Maybe he just has really good material. You can always rely on him to come up with great gags.”
But, he adds, “You can’t go on yelling and shouting forever. It was time for me to stop because it was difficult for me to know where to go with Malcolm next. I felt I would rather end it now than see him wind up as a diminished character. It’s best to go out at the top.
“It’s always difficult. It was a wonderful experience playing Malcolm, and I was very happy on the set of The Think of It. I really liked working with everyone. But in the end, things have a natural life to them.”

Read more at Scotsman

John Barrowman: 'Doctor Who' and books updates

Doctor Who
Following John Barrowman's tweet last week, stating that he won't be involved in the 50th Anniversary special episode, many publications have been quick to spread that message, including the Radio Times, Digital Spy, TV Guide and many others.


Carole E. and John Barrowman on the Art of Word Painting and Visual Storytelling
From PopMatters:

Following the author’s axiom “Write what you know,” Carole E.  and John Barrowman can point to an ever-growing list of successful publications to prove their mastery of this concept. In a short few years, the Barrowman siblings have written best-selling non-fiction with the autobiographical Anything Goes (Michael O’Mara, 2008) and I Am What I Am (Michael O’Mara, 2009).

Then there’s the Torchwood fiction, beginning with a comic book story “Selkie”, and possibly concluding with the novel Torchwood: Exodus Code (BBC Books, 2012). Now they are working on their third young adult novel in the popular Hollow Earth series, published by Michael O’Mara Books in the UK and Simon and Schuster, under its Aladdin imprint, in the US.

  

Read more at PopMatters

Richard Wilson: interview

Richard Wilson: I've turned down several soaps

Richard Wilson has turned down several soap opera roles because the working conditions are ''horrendous''.
The 'One Foot in the Grave' star has had a number of offers to appear in long-running serial shows such as 'Coronation Street' but declined them because he couldn't hack the tough workload and lack of rehearsal time.
Richard said: ''I did a small part in 'Emmerdale' once because I was short of cash but soap stars have a fairly horrendous schedule. My friend [Sir] Ian McKellen has appeared in 'Coronation Street'. But there is very little rehearsal and I wouldn't like that.''
The 76-year-old has had parts in several films but believes his chances of becoming a huge star on the big screen are long gone because he is ''not good enough'' to appear in movies.
Speaking to the BBC, he said: ''My film career never took off. The only big film I did was 'Passage to India'. The only reason I think is that I am not good enough, I can say with all humility - that is why I am not making film.''
Richard is known for his cantankerous character Victor Meldrew - who he played in One Foot in the Grave's 10-year run from 1990 to 2000 - and admits people get annoyed with him if he refuses to say his alter-ego's classic catchphrase, ''I don't believe it.''
He explained: ''A woman in Sheffield got very shirty with me recently because I wouldn't say it.
''She felt that as she was a licence fee payer it was my duty to say what she wanted.''
Copyright © bangshowbiz.com 2012.
Source: STV

Jonathan Watson: interview

Star Jonathan Watson says Hollywood can wait despite his links to Tinseltown

Jonathan Watson stars in 'Quiz Show'

Jonathan Watson is one half of Scotland’s hottest comedy duo double act after the success of Bob Servant Independent.
This year the Only An Excuse? funnyman teamed up with movie star Brian Cox for the BBC Four political romp based in Dundee.
But, despite Jonathan being famous for lampooning Scots stars such as Frank McAvennie and Chick Young, he won’t use the X2 and Troy star to make it in Hollywood.
Jonathan said: “We have become friends, but I don’t at this moment in time fancy a shot at Hollywood and, if I did, I wouldn’t ask him because I’m not that kind of friend.”
Brian played a disillusioned cheeseburger tycoon who entered a by-election. Jonathan played his put-upon campaign manager, Frank, who also happened to be his former director of sauces on the cheeseburger vans.
Despite being one of Scotland’s best homegrown comedy shows in years, there is still no decision on a second series – although Jonathan is hopeful.
Read more at Daily Record 

Scottish actors at Collectormania

Scottish actors Sylvester McCoy, Henry Ian Cusick and Denis Lawson are scheduled to appear at Collectormania 19 in May. More details here

Image sources:
Sylvester McCoy.tv
BBC
Facebook 

Meet the Scots stars of Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones has proved to be a huge success and has catapulted its Scots stars to the attention of audiences worldwide.
Here are the Scottish actors making it big on the fantasy TV show, and to get you back into the world of Westeros, here's the season 3 trailer.

Richard Madden (Robb Stark) 26 year old Richard Madden, from Elderslie in Renfrewshire, graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 2007. He began his career with theatre roles at the Arches and the Citizens Theatre, and in London he played Romeo at the Globe’s production of Romeo and Juliet.

He’s had parts in TV series Hope Springs and last year’s BBC adaptation of Birdsong. He’s currently dating the new Doctor Who assistant Jenna-Louise Coleman, he has been named Most Stylish Male at the Scottish Style Awards and in 2010 made the cut for Esquire’s Hottest Stars.

Rose Leslie (Ygritte) Aberdeen-born Rose Leslie has some strong ancestral blood: she is the daughter of the chieftain of Clan Leslie, Sebastian Arbuthnot-Leslie, and grew up in the 15th century Lickleyhead Castle. Rose won a Scottish BAFTA for Best New Talent for her debut role in the Scottish film New Town in 2009. The 26 year old will also be recognisable to Downton Abbey fans, playing Gwen in series 1 – the maid with ambitions to become a secretary.

Emun Elliott (Marillion) Emun Elliott was born and raised by Edinburgh’s seaside, Portobello, and has Iranian ancestry on his father’s side. The 29 year old toured the world as Squaddie Private Fraser on stage in Black Watch, and had parts in Scottish TV series’ Monarch of the Glen and Lip Service. In 2009 film magazine Screen International named him as ‘one to watch’ – a prestigious platform for an up and coming actor. He played flight engineer Chance in Ridley Scott’s Prometheus and last year he also had roles in successful shows including sitcom Threesome, and the BBC drama The Paradise.

Kate Dickie (Lady Lysa Arryn) The East Kilbride native is most known for her part in the film Red Road, winning a Scottish BAFTA and a British Independent film award. Making her TV debut playing ‘young girl’ in an episode of Rab C Nesbitt, Kate Dickie has gone on to appear in Prometheus, along with Emun Elliot, as well as having parts in Taggart, Tinseltown and Still Game. She lives in Kelvinbridge with partner Kenny and daughter Molly.

Iain Glen (Jorah Mormont) 51 year old Iain Glen, from Edinburgh, is a former Edinburgh Academy pupil and he honed his craft at RADA. He is brother to Hamish Glen, once the artistic director of the Dundee Repertory Theatre. Iain has had a wide-ranging career that has included the Resident Evil series, the BBC’s Ripper Street, Spooks and Doctor Who. He also played Sir Richard Carlisle in Downton Abbey – the newspaper tycoon who tries to woo Lady Mary.

Ron Donachie (Ser Rodrik Cassel) Ron Donachie is originally from Dundee and studied at Glasgow University. The 56 year old has had supporting roles in Titanic and The Jungle Book, as well as parts many major british TV series over the years, including Heartbeat, Doctor Who, Rebus, The Bill and Waterloo Road.

Rory McCann (Sandor Clegane)) Rory McCann is probably most recognised as the Porridge man in a vest and kilt in the advert for Scott’s Porage Oats. The 43 year old actor, who is 6ft 6, was a painter on the Forth Road Bridge before winning acclaim for his role in the 2002 Scottish TV series the Book Club. He made his film debut in Oliver Stone’s Alexander and has also had parts in Hot Fuzz and Clash of the Titans.

James Cosmo (Jeor Mormont) The 64 year old actor from Clydebank is son of actor James Copeland. He has been a mainstay of British TV since the 1970s, as well as a stint on Take the High Road, and is recognisable in grizzly roles in films including Highlander, Braveheart, Trainspotting and Troy, and a softer role as Father Christmas in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Source (including photos): Herald Scotland 

Season 3 trailer:

Source: YouTube

CTPost also have a 'Meet the Stars' feature here

Weekly schedule for The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Mo 4/1: Toby Keith, J.R. Martinez (R 11/13/12)
Tu 4/2: Lena Dunham, Bill Pullman (R 1/15/13)
We 4/3: Lisa Kudrow, Bonnie Raitt (R 2/20/13)
Th 4/4: Kunal Nayyar, Molly Shannon (R 2/21/13)
Fr 4/5: Trace Adkins, Naya Rivera (R 3/1/13)

David Tennant: project news and updates

 

Richard II

There's a message on the RSC website which says 'There is no availability for Richard II in Stratford-upon-Avon, with the exception of a few performances where there is limited availability for 16-25 year olds.'
Source: David Tennant on Twitter
More information here


The Politicians Husband
New photos of David Tennant (in an apron or a dress!) from The Politician's Husband have been posted to Tumblr, here and here and here
Source: David Tennant on Twitter
All the latest news, articles, photos, etc are here


The Escape Artist
More photos of David Tennant filming The Escape Artist in Scotland last week have been posted to Tumblr.
David Tennant completed filming The Escape Artist on Friday 22 March. His next project has not yet been announced.
Source: David Tennant on Twitter
All the latest news, articles, photos, etc are here


Broadchurch
ITV have posted the sixth and final interview with David Tennant about Broadchurch to YouTube:

YouTube
Source: David Tennant on Twitter
Non-UK link for episode 3 of Broadchurch. (Use Firefox DownloaderHelp to download the file.)
itvPlayer link for first 3 episodes of Broadchurch (UK only).
Source: David Tennant on Twitter
All the latest news, articles, reviews, photos, etc are here


The Spies of Warsaw
BBC America have posted a new trailer for Spies Of Warsaw to YouTube. The trailer plays worldwide.

Source: David Tennant on Twitter
BBC America have posted some new interview videos with David Tennant to promote Spies Of Warsaw which has its American premiere on 3rd and 10th April. the topics covered are:
Doctor Who versus Spies Of Warsaw
Why people love Doctor Who
How does Mercier compare to the Tenth Doctor?
David Tennant's favourite James Bond movie
David Tennant's favourite filming location
Source: David Tennant on Twitter
All the latest news, articles, reviews, photos, etc are here


Doctor Who
A new Doctor Who book called The Who's Who of Doctor Who: A Whovian's Guide to Friends, Foes, Villains, Monsters, and Companions to the Good Doctor will be published on 1st November by the person who runs the website BlogtorWho. It will include David Tennant's era as The Doctor.
Buy the book here.
Source: David Tennant on Twitter
The March issue of the U.S. magazine Entertainment Weekly features a story on the Doctor Who 50th anniversary with a look back on all 11 Doctors. It calls David Tennant 'the most beloved of the post-relaunch Doctors.' A scan of the magazine is here.
The Post Office website has sheets of Doctor Who First Day Covers including some with David Tennant for people both in the UK & non-UK. The stamps are issued on 26th March.
Source: David Tennant on Twitter


United
United is apparently now available worldwide on BBCiPlayer Global.
BBCiPlayer Global provides more than 2000 hours of some of the best in British television to audiences outside the UK via the iPad, iPhone and iPod.  It is available for download through your local Apple Apps store.  Programming varies from country to country.  


Diary dates
Mon 25 Mar - Episode four of Broadchurch premieres on ITV at 9pm.
Tues 26 Mar - Doctor Who stamps issued.
Tues 26 Mar - Shakespeare Uncovered DVD is released in the US.
Source: David Tennant on Twitter


Citizens Theatre donation
David Tennant has donated a signed Decoy Bride script with a DVD to be auctioned for the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow
More information here.
Source: David Tennant on Twitter


David's birthday
It is 4 weeks until David Tennant's birthday. This link has details about how to send him a card (or receive an autograph).
Source: David Tennant on Twitter

Kevin McKidd and Ashley Jensen: filming 'Indian Summer' in Scotland

Ashley Jensen and Kevin McKidd to film in Highlands

Ashley Jensen is to return to Scotland for a film role. Picture: Getty

A remote corner of the Highlands is hoping for an economic and tourism boost after being chosen as the atmospheric location for a new feature film.
Scots-born Hollywood stars Ashley Jensen and Kevin McKidd will be shooting love triangle drama Indian Summer on the Eriboll estate in Sutherland over the next few months.
The estate looks on to the vast ten-mile long sea loch, near Cape Wrath, where 33 German submarines surrendered in 1945.
The film, set during the “summer of love” in 1967, revolves around a new arrival in the close-knit community who is both a US Marine and a Native American and is described as being a “bittersweet romance”.
Grey’s Anatomy star McKidd and Jensen, who shot to fame in Extras and Ugly Betty, play the God-fearing husband and lonely wife whose lives are transformed by the “exotic stranger”.
The two Scots actors will be joined by Chaske Spencer, who is best known for his role as a werewolf in the Twilight vampire movies.
Read more at Scotsman

Ewan McGregor: 'Hebrides – Islands on the Edge' preview

Islanders to get preview of Hebrides narrated by Ewan McGregor

Island residents are to get a preview peek of the forthcoming BBC series, Hebrides – Islands on the Edge.
The series, which has already been acclaimed by narrator Ewan McGregor as “one of the most beautiful films I’ve seen”, is due to be broadcast on BBC One Scotland in May.
But BBC Scotland has arranged a special Screen Machine tour of an episode to be screened in Barra, South Uist, North Uist, Benbecula, Harris and Skye during April.
There will also be a further cinema screening in Oban on April 18 along with a Q & A session with acclaimed filmmakers Nigel Pope (Big Cat Diary) and Doug Anderson (Frozen Planet) who are part of the production team on Hebrides.
Read more at Stornoway Gazette

Angus Macfadyen: new role in 'Turn'

AMC’s Revolutionary War-era drama pilot Turn has added two more to the cast today. On board for the project are Pirates of the Caribbean’s Kevin McNally and Chuck’s Angus Macfadyen. They’ll join previously cast Jamie Bell who is in the lead role. Turn was ordered to pilot back in November along with another drama pilot, Halt & Catch Fire. The show takes place in 1776 and surrounds a New York farmer named Abe Woodhull (Jamie Bell) whose life is changed when he and his childhood friends band together into a spy network known as The Culper Ring, and directly affect the outcome of the fight for independence in America. Deadline says Kevin McNally will be joining the pilot as Abe’s father Richard Woodhull, a respected local magistrate. He is loyal to the King on the surface, but it’s hinted that he may merely be throwing his lot in with the side he believes will win rather than the side he hopes will win. Angus Macfadyen (Braveheart) comes on board the project as war hero Robert Rogers, who fought alongside George Washington in past battles but has descended into alcoholism and lost everything gambling in England, returning in disgrace.
Read more at Cinema Blend

Photo source: Google 

Daniel Kerr: BAFTA win for 'The Wee Man' role

12-year-old Daniel Kerr gets Bafta nod for Paul Ferris role in The Wee Man
Glaswegian is youngest recipient of Bafta New Talent Award

A 12-year-old boy who played a Scottish gangster in The Wee Man has become the youngest person to scoop a Bafta New Talent Award.

Daniel Kerr, who played a young Paul Ferris, drew raves for his mature performance in a movie that otherwise earned mixed reviews from critics.
“It just felt fantastic to even be nominated, it was a night to remember. I must be doing something right to win a Bafta,” he said, after picking up his gong for Best Acting Performance. “I could relate to Paul Ferris as a young boy, getting up to mischief.”
Read more at The Independent

Also reported by 
BBC News
STV
Scotsman
and many others






BAFTA winner Daniel Kerr talks about Wee Man award
Daniel Kerr, who played a young Paul Ferris in gritty drama The Wee Man, chats to STV about winning the BAFTA for best acting performance at the BAFTA in Scotland New Talent Award - watch the interview here
Source: STV 



Congratulations, Daniel!

Ashley Jensen: 'All Stars' Official Trailer

All Stars Official Trailer #1 (2013)

Published on Mar 21, 2013 by movieclipsTRAILERS

Two kids look to throw an ambitious dance show in order to save their struggling youth center.

Source: YouTube

Douglas Henshall: masterclass at Mountview academy

Mountview graduate Douglas Henshall gave a masterclass to second and third year acting students on 14 March.
He talked honestly and amusingly about the realities of life after training at Mountview, including the countless letters he wrote until he got his first acting job at Citizens Theatre in Glasgow.
He went on to reveal that he missed out on a role in Trainspotting because he’d just signed a contract to work at the RSC and that even after 25 years it’s still frustrating to get turned down for a role.
Questions from students revealed his favourite and worst acting experience and advice on whether to use a native accent for a part (unless the script demonstrates the character is from a particular region, he suggests you stay true to your natural accent).
Source: Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts

Scottish actresses present radio show Girl on Girl - East Dunbartonshire's answer to Loose Women

Scottish actresses Elizabeth Baillie and Claire McKenna now present a weekly radio show on EDRadio, the new community radio show for the East Dunbartonshire area.  This week the girls talked to Kim Macleod who came from receiving her Hero of Happiness Medal at the House of Lords to the Bishopbriggs Media Centre for the girls' most recent podcast.  To join the fan page visit Facebook where you can also find the link to their shows.

Elizabeth Baillie has recently appeared in Archie a Wee Ghost Story and is presently working on projects with East Dunbartonshire Radio and Cue and Review Print Speaking to the Blind, to encourage the acting and radio production skills of disabled and local young people.

Claire McKenna is the Co founder of Calm Media Productions, and generously organised a calendar shoot for the charity Cue and Review Print Speaking to the Blind.  She is presently working on a short film Whispers.

Girl on Girl – East Dunbartonshire’s Answer to Loose Women. Listen here.

Source: Cue and Review (by email)

Twitter @cueandreview Facebook.com/cueandreview

Video source: YouTube