EPA
He’s best known for TV shows like the Traitors US, The Good Wife or Schmigadoon.
But it was another show entirely which brought actor Alan Cumming back to his roots in Highland Perthshire, to begin a brand new chapter in his life – running Pitlochry festival theatre.
“I was filming an episode of Channel 4’s All Aboard Scotland’s Poshest trains, and we came to the theatre and spoke to Elizabeth Newman about the work they were doing and afterwards, she asked if I’d ever thought about running a theatre,” he recalls.
In 2024, filming for the Traitors and two film projects meant even more time in Scotland so when Elizabeth Newman resigned in July, he quietly applied for the job.
Peacock
The news came as a huge surprise and Cumming insisted the announcement should be made ahead of the Emmy awards, for which he and the rest of the team involved with the Traitors won Outstanding Reality Competition Programme.
Wrapped in his trademark tartan plaid, he was able to bring the world’s attention to Pitlochry, something he hopes his appointment will continue to do.
“I know I have experience, I’m quite talented, and I know a lot of people but being well known is also important. This helps raise profile, and it’ll help with fundraising.”