Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles. One news app.

The Latest Breaking News from Gavin Bain

California Schemin’ review – James McAvoy’s directorial debut will make Scotland proud

4/5 This true-life tale of Dundee rappers who bluff their way into a record deal is uniquely tapped into the realities of the UK creative industry

The Independent UK

James McAvoy says he took career highs 'for granted' as he reflects on directorial debut

The 46-year-old actor speaks about his ‘personal’ new film, California Schemin’, and his pride at bringing a Scottish story to the big screen

Evening Standard

James McAvoy hailed as ‘humble’ and ‘genuine’ by subject of directorial debut

The pair worked together on California Schemin’, which is McAvoy’s directorial debut

Evening Standard

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

James McAvoy: ‘I’ve been “that Scottish person”, reduced to a noise that comes out of my mouth’

He went from a Glasgow council estate to Hollywood fame. Now, in his directorial debut, the X-Men star is challenging stereotypes about his homeland via the remarkable tale of a real-life hip-hop hoax

The Guardian - UK

James McAvoy ‘really proud’ of directorial debut California Schemin’

The actor and director was speaking on Sunday night at a red carpet event in Glasgow.

Evening Standard

James McAvoy has plans to direct more films after California Schemin'

James McAvoy has plans to keep directing after making his debut on musical biographical film California Schemin' - which is based on the book Straight Outta Compton, which tells the story of Scottish hip hop duo Silibil N' Brains who faked being American to land a record deal.

BANG Premier

James McAvoy allegedly assaulted in Toronto bar after promoting directorial debut

Actor was in city for its annual film festival when he was reportedly attacked

The Independent UK

Read news from The Economist, FT, and more,
with one subscription

James McAvoy 'punched by stranger' during Toronto Film Festival appearance

The Scottish actor had been socialising with producers of his new film at Charlotte’s Room when the incident occurred shortly before midnight on Monday

Evening Standard

James McAvoy 'punched' in Toronto bar

It has been reported that actor James McAvoy was "punched" in Charlotte's Room, Toronto, on Monday (08.09.25).

BANG Premier

California Schemin’ review – James McAvoy’s directorial debut is an unlikely rap tale

The actor makes for a hit-and-miss first time film-maker with the undeniably involving true story of Scottish rappers who pretended to be American

The Guardian - US

James McAvoy nervous on set of directorial debut

James McAvoy was nervous on the set of his directorial debut California Schemin' - which is based on the true story of two Scottish friends, Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, who pretended to be an American rap duo.

BANG Premier

Scottish rappers, deaf composers and an AI song called Zygotic Washstands: the biggest hoaxes in pop

Ex-Kraftwerk member Wolfgang Flür was conned into believing he was collaborating with a member of Daft Punk – but it’s far from the first time musicians and audiences have been fooled

The Guardian - UK

Is my Scottish accent really the problem – or is it just your English ears?

Football manager Gary Caldwell thinks he sounds too ‘aggressive’ and that spells trouble. But as a fellow Scot, I know the answer isn’t to ‘Englify’ ourselves, says Glasgow-based journalist Catriona Stewart

The Guardian - UK

James McAvoy ‘humbled’ to get outstanding contribution film award from home city

The actor was at the Glasgow Film Festival on Sunday.

Evening Standard

Get all your
news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One news app.

People

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

Organisations

Read news from The Economist, FT, and more,
with one subscription

Topics

Places

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.