James Cosmo

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James Cosmo is HOSTAGE on Netflix! Thriller Star Reckons Actors Should Run the Country

Scottish acting icon James Cosmo, known for classics like Braveheart and Game of Thrones, is back and starring in the gripping new Netflix political thriller, Hostage – and he thinks actors might be better suited for politics than actual politicians.

The 77-year-old legend is one of the top names in the drama, playing Max Dalton, the seriously ill father of the British Prime Minister, Abigail (played by the superb Suranne Jones).

A Real-Life Political Nightmare

Hostage plunges into a sinister plot where PM Abigail’s husband is kidnapped, and the visiting French President, Vivienne Toussaint (Julie Delpy), is blackmailed. Dalton cuts a forlorn figure as he battles cancer while his daughter faces an impossible dilemma: resign immediately or risk her husband’s life.

Cosmo, who played Campbell in the Mel Gibson epic Braveheart, joked that his on-screen daughter, Suranne Jones, would give real-life politicians a run for their money.

“I think that it would be a good lesson for politicians to be more of themselves and not so much a politician,” he stated.

He believes the modern political landscape rewards communicators and people with presence—skills actors possess—over “philosophers and thinkers.”

“That Could Really Happen”

While the plot is fictional, James is convinced the high-pressure twists in Hostage could easily play out in the modern world.

“It’s a real high-pressure political thriller. I think with new access to the internet, politics is becoming outrageous,” he said. “You can look at a TV show or movie and think, ‘that could really happen’. I wouldn’t be all that surprised if this situation came up.”

The series forces the British PM and the French President to set aside their differences and work together, with the world watching, as they decide whether to meet the terrorist demands or stand strong and risk lives.

Lying Down on the Job (Literally!)

Cosmo’s character, Max Dalton, spends much of his time in a hospital bed as he battles cancer—a welcome change for the action veteran.

“It’s terrific. The older I get, I have riders in my contracts now that say I’ve either got to be sitting or lying down,” he quipped.

The actor admits the drama made him glad his own sons steered clear of politics, a world he’s happy to observe from a distance. “I don’t think as an actor I should have influence. I’ve got one vote and everybody else has got one vote and I don’t wish to influence people because they know my face from the telly.”

Supporting the Arts in the Age of AI

Having featured in several big Netflix productions, James praised the streaming giant for providing a platform for “new directors, new actors and new writers.”

However, he voiced concern over the rise of AI and the challenge it poses for young performers.

“I don’t know where AI is going to take us but I don’t think it’s going to get any easier for actors,” he admitted, stressing the need for continued support for the arts. “It’s vital that we do as I believe AI can only go so far. We need content that challenges people to think.“

Don’t miss Scottish legend James Cosmo and Suranne Jones in the heart-pounding political thriller, Hostage, streaming now only on Netflix.

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James Cosmo Takes a Leap into the Sci-Fi World with ‘Voidance’

Iconic actor James Cosmo, known for his roles in Highlander, Troy, and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, is venturing into the realm of science fiction with his latest project, Voidance. The film, currently in post-production, offers a thrilling glimpse into a futuristic world where loyalties are tested and choices have far-reaching consequences.

A Stellar Ensemble:

Cosmo leads an impressive cast, including Zoe Cunningham, Neil Bishop, Mim Shaikh, Billy Price, and Chris Charles. The film, shot in London, is directed by Marianna Dean, marking her second feature.

Intriguing Plot:

Voidance follows Alana Toro (Cunningham) as she faces her final exam to join the ATIC Guard. Tasked with preventing a historical terrorist attack, Alana delves deeper into the scenario and begins to question her unwavering loyalty to ATIC. As she uncovers the motivations of both terrorists and bystanders, she grapples with a difficult choice: will she enact the solution she’s found, even if it goes against her newfound understanding?

A Director’s Vision:

Director Marianna Dean shares her excitement about working on such a “fast-paced and intriguing project,” drawn in by the script’s captivating blend of sci-fi elements and realistic characters.

Cosmo’s Enthusiasm:

Cosmo expresses his love for the science fiction genre and his enjoyment in playing this character, adding a touch of his signature charisma to the film.

With its compelling storyline, talented cast, and visionary director, Voidance is poised to become a must-watch for fans of both James Cosmo and thought-provoking science fiction. Keep an eye out for this exciting new addition to the sci-fi landscape!

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Lights, Camera, Action in Wales: ‘Salvable’ Wraps Filming!

The Welsh landscape has just set the scene for the highly-anticipated boxing crime-drama, Salvable. Featuring a star-studded cast led by Toby Kebbell, Shia LaBeouf, and James Cosmo, the film promises a captivating tale of redemption and the fight of a lifetime.

Salvable - Promotional Image. (C) Metro International

A Knockout Cast:

Salvable boasts an impressive ensemble, including Kila Lord Cassidy, Elaine Cassidy, Michael Socha, Aiysha Hart, Nell Hudson, and Barry Ward. Adding authenticity to the boxing world, former World Champion boxer Carl Froch trained the lead actors and makes a cameo appearance.

A Story of Redemption:

At the heart of Salvable is Sal “The Bull”, a washed-up boxer nearing 40, played by Kebbell. Haunted by regrets, Sal’s life takes a turn when his old friend Vince (LaBeouf) introduces him to the world of illegal boxing. This opportunity offers a chance at redemption, but it threatens his bond with his daughter, Molly (Lord Cassidy).

Behind the Scenes:

Salvable marks the directorial debut of UK-based duo Franklin & Marchetta, known for their music videos. Producers include Jamie Gamache and Connor O’Hara for Lowkey Films, and Julien Loeffler and James Kermack for Featuristic Films. Aisling Knight of CBA Casting led the casting efforts, and Simon Plunket is the Director of Photography.

A Global Sensation:

With Metro International Entertainment handling worldwide sales, Salvable has already generated buzz across the globe, securing pre-sales in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Former Yugoslavia, CIS, and the Middle East.

Stay tuned for more updates on Salvable, a film that promises to pack a punch both in and out of the ring!

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Dram dreams come true for Scottish actor James Cosmo as he launches STORYMAN, his premium blended whisky made by Annandale Distillery

Iconic Scottish actor James Cosmo has launched his own whisky, STORYMAN, created in a unique partnership with award-winning Annandale Distillery in Dumfries & Galloway. 

James was joined by family, friends, fellow actors and celebrities, international whisky experts, investors, and members of the team who created STORYMAN, for the London launch at The Caledonian Club in Belgravia on Wednesday night. [June 14] 

They heard how James first became aware of Annandale Distillery when he was filming Outlaw King [the distillery is built on what had been King Robert the Bruce’s land, near Annan] and was so impressed with the team’s passion for creating the best single malt single cask Scotch whisky that he entrusted them with making his dream of having his own whisky – “the kind that is delicate, complex, and with a warmth that grows on you” – come true. 

It was an almost three-year journey to create the perfect whisky inspired by James, his iconic presence and personality, with a distinct flavour profile based on months of complex research by international research companies MMR (Mathematical Market Research) Research Worldwide and Huxley Global, owned by Annandale Distillery co-owners Professor David Thomson and Teresa Church.  Professor Thomson said: “We wanted to capture James’ essence in a bottle, to create a whisky that reflects his personality, his values and his stories. We used our expertise in consumer research to understand how people perceive James and what kind of whisky they would associate with him. We then translated that into a sensory profile that guided the blending process.”  

Master blender Keith Law describes the unique blend of Annandale’s award-winning Man O’ Words and Man O’ Sword (peated) whiskies, as “a tale of mellow fruitfulness, smooth honey and rich vanilla, with a spicy edge that brings real warmth to its heart.” 

And is that warmth that James was delighted with for his whisky, named STORYMAN to reflect his 60-year career as a storyteller with iconic roles in films and TV programmes including Braveheart, Highlander, Game of Thrones, Trainspotting, Jack Ryan, and Six Four. 

“STORYMAN is a lovely blend,” he says. “It’s gentle and the sort of whisky you want to sit by a fire and have a little sip of. It’s delicate and thoughtful and absolutely a whisky for telling stories with. I’d like to think that people will open a bottle and sit back and regale people with stories.” 

You can be part of James Cosmo’s story: STORYMAN is available to buy now at www.storymanwhisky.com

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Storyman James Cosmo, Has a Tale to Tell Over a Dram Of New Premium Blend Whisky.

James Cosmo, the acclaimed actor and storyteller, has teamed up with Annandale Distillery to create Storyman, a unique blended Scotch whisky that celebrates the art of storytelling. Storyman is a premium blend of Annandale’s award-winning single malts, Man O’ Words and Man O’ Swords, along with a carefully selected grain whisky.

The Game of Thrones actor launched the new premium blended Scotch whisky at Annan’s Lonsdale Cinema on April 27th in a stunning Red Carpet premier event.

(James with piper Craig Irvine at Annan Londsdale Cinema. April 27th 2023)

James Cosmo said, “It’s always been a dream of mine to create my own whisky. The kind of whisky that is delicate, complex and with a warmth that grows on you.  I always believed it would be just a dream until during filming and production of the film Outlaw King, a film about the King of Scotland Robert the Bruce. I became aware of Annandale Distillery, steeped in history and located in the heart of Bruce’s land. I met the team and was impressed by their passion for whisky the creation of a good dram, and that spoke to me, it really hit home.

Whisky has always been part of my life, since I was a boy, sitting on the knee of my maternal grandfather.  He was a miner and his treat at the end of a hard day was a dram of whisky.  I was always fascinated by the golden liquid he held in his rough hands and slowly sipped, his bantam chickens at his feet.

I love whisky. I love the tradition and the craftsmanship, mostly I love the way whisky brings people together. There’s always a point in the night when the pace slows down and the conversations get deep and meaningful. We all have stories, stories that bind us and tell tales of our experiences.  STORYMAN premium blend Scotch whisky is my story, and I want to share it with you.”

The blend was specially created for the Game of Thrones actor, by Keith Law, Annandale’s master blender, and owner, Professor David Thomson, featuring a carefully chosen selection of their award-winning Single Cask, Single Malt Whiskies. These included various vintages and spirit types from a range of Fresh and Refill Ex-Bourbon, and Ex-Burgundy STR casks.

“The blending process took a great deal of time to get right”, says Keith Law Annandale Distillery’s master blender. “It was a process that involved speaking with James, having in-depth conversations to identify the types of whisky James likes to enjoy. What we created is a smooth and complex whisky, with notes of vanilla, honey, citrus and smoke. What we wanted to do is capture the essence of James whisky memories and make it tangible and that’s what we have done with STORYMAN.”

Annandale Distillery Co-Founder David Thomson was delighted to see the project come to fruition, the project that included not just Annandale Distillery but the work of the entire MMR Research family. MMR Research, the company founded by Professor Thomson and his wife and business partner Teresa Church were involved in many aspects of the project including consumer research on audience demographics, concept design and testing the whisky with consumers, using their expertise and innovative methods. Thomson said: “This whisky is a tribute to the actor and his iconic role, as well as to the craftsmanship and quality of Annandale Distillery and MMR Research. We are very proud of this collaboration and hope that whisky lovers and fans of James Cosmo will enjoy it as much as we do.”

STORYMAN is available to pre-order now at www.storymanwhisky.com priced at just £55.00 per bottle.