Alexandra Wilkie with Brian Cox, Nicole Ansari Cox (left) and cast member Alexandra Shipp (pic: family)
A young Scottish actress has made a big impression on veteran actor Brian Cox, writes JULENA DRUMI
From Blantyre to Hollywood Boulevard, it has been a whirlwind few months for young Scottish actress Alexandra Wilkie. The 11-year-old was plucked from obscurity to star alongside Brian Cox in Glenrothan, the veteran’s film directorial debut, and he has taken a shine to the Scottish starlet.
The Hamilton College pupil plays Sasha, the American granddaughter of Donal (Alan Cumming) who is returning to his family’s whisky distillery in the Highlands after 40 years in the US to reunite with his brother Sandy (Cox).
The talented youngster was initially spotted in 2023 while performing in a pantomime in Giffnock’s Eastwood Theatre and was later brought to Cox’s attention by a casting agent.
Hailing her performance in the movie, Cox, who won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Logan Roy in HBO’s smash hit Succession, said: “The wonderful Alexandra Wilkie – our little star. This girl is truly amazing. I want to do another film with Alexandra Wilkie because she is astounding. Everyone thinks she’s American but she’s actually a farmer’s daughter from Blantyre.
“She has a perfect American accent. You would absolutely never know she wasn’t a natural-born Yank. She is truly gifted and a joy to work with.”
The rising star worked with a dialect coach to perfect her Chicago accent for the film which had its world
premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival in September and has just been released in the UK and Ireland.
As well as attending the glittering red carpet ceremony in Canada, Alexandra and her mum Kimberley jetted back across the Atlantic earlier this year for a special screening at the 37 th Palm Springs International Film Festival, with Alexandra interviewed on stage in front of 600 people. She also attended the unveiling of Cumming’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Alexandra, who also appears in the remake of the BBC’s popular children’s series Balamory, said: “To be honest I hadn’t heard of Brian Cox before this. But he was so welcoming and kind and so easy to talk to which was really helpful.
“Travelling to exciting places such as the film festivals in Toronto and Palm Springs was great and being in Hollywood was a dream come true. It’s the first time I had been to Los Angeles. I love to see new places and it’s even cooler when you get to go to a movie premiere there as well!
“I could never imagine I would ever get to go on a red carpet. I thought it was going to be quite scary but I had a lady helping me through all the photos and interviews. People were so kind to me and that helped me to relax and enjoy it.”
It’s a whole new world, too, for mum Kimberley, who was full of praise for the care shown to both her and
Alexandra by the Hollywood celebrities.
“Alan and Brian have been very caring and kind to Alexandra, and very accommodating to me,” she said. “It’s a brand-new industry for me but they have been great with us.
I am so proud of how she has handled everything. She was treated like an A-list celebrity on set and had lots of people around her all the time, from make-up to sound technicians and a chaperone.
“There was also a tutor provided to make sure she didn’t fall behind with her school work and she had to do a minimum of four hours on a one-to-one basis if she was to be on set all day.
“While we were at Palm Springs, Alan Cumming happened to be getting his star on Hollywood Boulevard so we took the opportunity to go along – that was another pinch-me moment!”
School is now the priority with Alexandra completing her Transitus Year Programme at Hamilton College
before moving into the Senior School after the summer but she is hoping there are more exciting times ahead away from the classroom.
Hamilton College headteacher Richard Charman said: “Alexandra’s success is a wonderful reflection of her talent and dedication. At Hamilton College, we are proud to support pupils in pursuing their passions alongside their education, and it has been a privilege to see Alex thrive both in the classroom and on such an exciting international stage.”
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