Scottish actor and director Robert Carlyle recently reflected on various aspects of his career and personal experiences, touching on topics ranging from his early theatrical roots to his approach to directing and acting, as well as his views on social and cultural issues.
Carlyle, known for his diverse roles in film and television, recounted the significance of his time with the Youth Opportunities Programme touring theatre company at Glasgow Arts Centre in the early 1980s. He described the opportunity as life-changing, crediting it with launching his career despite the challenges posed by his Scottish accent, which was rarely heard on screen at the time. He acknowledged that productions like "Trainspotting" helped normalize the accent in mainstream media and noted that there are now more working-class actors on screen than in previous decades.
Discussing his directing work, Carlyle highlighted the influences of notable filmmakers such as Ken Loach, Danny Boyle, and Alan Parker. He said directing differs from acting in that a director must manage numerous responsibilities daily, which can detract from focusing solely on performance. He has both acted and directed, including his role as director on the film "The Legend of Barney Thomson." His most recent directorial project, "Three," will have its North American premiere at the Edmonton International Film Festival, scheduled from September 24 to October 3.
Reflecting on some of his memorable acting roles, Carlyle spoke about portraying Albie Kinsella, a character traumatized by the Hillsborough disaster, in the television series "Cracker." He recalled watching the event in 1989 but later understanding the full impact, especially in light of the controversial media coverage and police conduct at the time. This background informed his preparation for the role.
On a lighter note, Carlyle addressed questions related to his past performances, including the final strip scene in "The Full Monty," confirming that the cast performed the full strip only once on camera and that the scene was shot from behind to maintain some discretion. He also shared his reluctance to work with animals, preferring pigeons over dogs due to their predictable behavior on set.
Though Carlyle has a strong theatrical background and once ran his own theatre company, he explained his shift toward screen acting and directing. He pointed out the demanding nature of theatre, expressing reluctance to commit to long-running stage productions without genuine passion for the material, to avoid disappointing audiences.
Beyond his professional work, Carlyle noted his engagement with music during the COVID-19 pandemic through a weekly recommendation series on social media, aimed at supporting emerging artists who faced canceled gigs and financial difficulties. Although he paused this initiative due to changes in social media platforms, he is exploring ways to revive it.
On cultural identity, Carlyle reflected on being Scottish, acknowledging the complexities involved. He described the pride many Scots feel in their heritage, particularly during national sporting events, while also recognizing that social and economic hardships can affect one's experience of national identity.
Throughout the conversation, Carlyle demonstrated a candid and thoughtful approach to both his craft and the broader issues surrounding the arts and society.