THE highly anticipated Barbie movie is set for its European premiere on Wednesday as fans eagerly await its release.
Starring the likes of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, it’s likely to be one of the biggest films of the summer.
Among many of the big names in the film are two Scottish actors – here’s everything you need to know.
Ncuti Gatwa
Originally born in Rwanda, Gatwa’s family escaped from the Rwandan genocide in 1994 before settling in Scotland.
“We were refugees, we were refugees coming to the UK and I definitely now view myself as a Rwandan Scotsman – yes there’s such a term and I’m giving it a name today”, he once told the BBC in an interview.
The family lived in both Edinburgh and Dunfermline, with Gatwa (above) going to Boroughmuir High School and Dunfermline High before heading to the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow.
He’s best known for starring in Netflix’s Sex Education as Eric Effiong and is set to take on the lead role in Doctor Who.
He will become the fourth Scot to do so, following in the footsteps of Sylvester McCoy, David Tennant and Peter Capaldi.
Gatwa has previously drawn comparisons with his family’s experiences of surviving genocide with his new role as The Doctor.
“This person survived a genocide. This person fits in everywhere and nowhere. I am The Doctor. The Doctor is me”, he told Rolling Stone UK.
In the new Barbie film, Gatwa will appear as a version of Ken. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gatwa originally auditioned for a different role which he didn’t get before director Greta Gerwig invited him back.
Sharon Rooney
Glasgow-born star Sharon Rooney is also starring in the film. She’ll play a version of Barbie in the film and, according to her character’s poster, she’s a lawyer.
She’s known for her roles in comedies My Mad Fat Diary and Two Doors Down. Rooney also appeared in the live-action adaptation of Dumbo in 2019.
Her work in My Mad Fat Diary earned her a Bafta Scotland award in the Best Actor/Actress (Television) category in 2015.
Prior to this, she’d received two nominations in the same category in 2013 and 2014.
Speaking to Rollacoaster Magazine about her new role, she said: “I think what Barbie’s taught me is that you can do anything and be everything because she’s a woman who – literally – does everything.”
She added: “Barbie’s been a brilliant job to be surrounded by people who are working so hard but are all just really good people. In summary, Barbie’s taught me a lot about just going for it and believing.”
