Alan Cumming and Claudia Winkleman "never meet" at Ardross Castle, where they film the American and British versions of the film. «Traitors» , but they leave surprises for each other, he said in an exclusive interview with the magazine HELLO!
Alan, 61, who is now spending more time in his native Scotland after an unexpected career move to direct the Pitlochry Festival Theatre in the Highlands, is set to begin filming the next season. American TV series "Traitors"« in the castle. When asked if he and Claudia share advice on the series, he replies that their filming doesn't overlap and that they only met at the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards.
«"But we leave each other little notes to say hello," he says.
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He says he wouldn't hesitate to take part in the show as a contestant, not only because of the "psychological torture" the guests are subjected to, but also because he would miss the comfort of the castle, which is only available to him.
«"I think I [as a participant] might have some special skills, given my access to this, but I'm not sure. At certain points, it just gets crazy. Plus, it would be really weird if I couldn't go to my room in the castle... and lie down in my big bed.".
Alan Cumming and Claudia Winkleman at the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards.
The highest award?
Alan has played the Devil, God, and the Pope, won Tony and Olivier Awards, had his face on a US postage stamp, and earned a star on Hollywood Boulevard.
But perhaps the greatest praise he received came shortly before his exclusive interview with the magazine. HELLO!, when I visited the office The Beano to Dundee to see himself featured in a comic strip alongside Dennis the Bully.
«I just can’t believe this is my life,» he says excitedly.« Magazine Beano , "It's definitely on par with getting my star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I think it's good that I still have this sense of admiration for things like that.".
Alan's current job is co-starring in Russell T. Davies' upcoming drama series «Tip Toe» and program management «The Traitors» – brought him back to his roots in Scotland.
Alan Cumming with his dog Lala in the Scottish Highlands, where he renovated his home.
Career change
He is presenting his first season as artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, a small complex of venues in a highland town with a population of less than 3,000. The theatre has always exceeded expectations, but thanks to Alan's stellar popularity, it is attracting world-class directors and actors, including Maria Friedman (who will direct Alan as Henry Higgins in «To my fair lady ») and Simon Russell Beale (who will play Liberace in the world premiere of « I will see you »).
Alan, 61, whose career includes roles as Nightcrawler in Marvel films and as a compere in the musical «"Cabaret"» on Broadway, says he applied for the job online. "I've only applied for two jobs in my entire life, but I got both," he says. The other job was writing horoscopes for a newspaper. «Dundee Evening Telegraph» . The idea came to him when he met the previous artistic director, Elizabeth Newman, while filming a documentary about the Royal Scotsman train. "I was like, 'What?' But she really planted the seed.".
Alan Cumming and his mother, Mary Darling (Alan Cumming)
He, he says, does not intend to follow in the king's footsteps and spend only the summer in the highlands.
«"I don't look like royalty! I spend more time here now than in New York. I live between the Scottish Highlands and Manhattan's East Village, and I think it's a really great combination.".
«"It's especially nice to be outside of America right now. Even though I live in New York, and New York isn't exactly America, it's hard to think about what's going on there. I'm very lucky to have a different passport, a different life, and a different home.".
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