Trainspotting Star Kelly Macdonald Remembers ‘Huge Pressure’ Making It

As a cinephile with a penchant for Scottish talent and a soft spot for Kelly Macdonald, I must say her career trajectory is nothing short of captivating. From her early days in Trainspotting to her recent role in The Radleys, she has managed to maintain an air of mystery and intrigue that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.


I had a chat with Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald around the debut of her latest project, “The Radleys”, a dark comedy where she portrays a stressed mom of two who happens to be a vampire. This is an entertaining role for this accomplished actress, known for her work in numerous critically-acclaimed films such as both “Trainspotting” movies by director Danny Boyle. Macdonald also pointed out that it’s almost three decades since the first “Trainspotting” film hit the screens, and she mused about the contrast between making the original groundbreaking film and the sequel.

McDonald shared with MovieWeb that there was immense stress associated with doing the first one. In contrast, there was no pressure on me for the second one. I had a pleasant time at the premiere… I wasn’t the main point of attention. However, it was thrilling to see almost everyone return for the sequel, which made the experience enjoyable for me.

Macdonald continued regarding her memorable experiences with the pair of movies:

As a cinephile, it was truly delightful to have the opportunity to spend time with Ewan during the making of T2, unlike our previous collaboration where I was so young and inexperienced. It was refreshing to interact with him more casually, sharing moments between takes and engaging in conversation. There was no performance pressure on me, as I was merely a cameo, which allowed me to enjoy the experience without any concerns about the film’s success or failure.

10 Years Since Boardwalk Empire‘s End

McDonald has appeared on several well-regarded TV programs, including the Emmy-winning HBO series “Boardwalk Empire” starring Steve Buscemi. This show wrapped up its remarkable journey on a premium cable network in 2024, marking a decade since its end. “It was amazing,” McDonald shared with us. “Being part of such a show was an exceptional opportunity for me. I spent several years living in New York during filming, and it’s always great to revisit.

Currently, McDonald’s most prominent character is Helen in “The Radleys“, a story revolving around a family of seemingly ordinary vampires residing peacefully in suburban life. In this family, Helen is wed to a doctor named Peter (played by Damian Lewis), who has an identical twin brother named Will. Interestingly, Helen shares a past with the twin. According to McDonald:

It was quite enjoyable to portray a character who had such contrasting dynamics with someone who physically resembled the same individual. So, I rather enjoyed playing the role of Peter’s wife, and there was a certain chill in our interactions – something was off between us, creating a bit of distance. Then enters Will, and she can hardly be in the same room as him. Watching this internal conflict unfold was intriguing to me.

From Lionsgate, The Radleys is now available in theaters, on demand and on digital.

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2024-10-06 02:03