'Joyous': Hollywood actor reveals experience filming Sunshine on Leith

A HOLLYWOOD actor has revealed his experience of starring in the hit musical Sunshine on Leith.

George Mackay – known for his starring role in Sam Mendes' World War I drama 1917 – spoke to The National while appearing on the red carpet at the Glasgow Film Festival for the Scottish premiere of The End, the post-apocalyptic musical satire also starring Tilda Swinton. 

The actor starred in the leading role in Sunshine on Leith, the romantic musical film directed by Dexter Fletcher featuring the songs of The Proclaimers.

George Mackay He described his experience working on the film as "wonderful".

Mackay told The National: "It was a really joyous summer, it was a wonderful team of people and a really beautiful project."

He added that he would love to film in Scotland again – and live here.

He told journalists: "I love Glasgow, I love this city so much. If it wasn't London it would be Glasgow."

George Mackay (left) and Tilda Swinton in The End (Image: NEON)

Tilda Swinton pictured in The End (Image: NEON) Mackay's new film, The End, is about a rich family sheltering from the end of the world in a converted salt mine.

The earth around them has apparently been destroyed, but the son (played by Mackay) has never seen the outside world. As a young girl appears at the entrance of the bunker, the balance of the family is threatened.

Compared to Sunshine on Leith, Mackay's preparation for the role was "much more rigourous" and involved more singing practice.

The actor said he wasn't typically "a musical guy", but that he was drawn to the project by the director, Josh Oppenheimer (known for The Act of Killing), and the themes which run throughout the film.