Actor Colin makes River City debut

Jan 25 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

HE was released after a 14-year stretch on cop show Taggart and Perth actor Colin McCredie is making the most of his freedom.

Tonight, the 38-year-old family man makes his debut in popular soap River City, likening the switch of channels to a Mo Johnston transfer controversy.

Colin, who plays the part of a would-be MSP, has also landed a role in ‘Between Weathers’, a summer film production planned for the Shetlands, alongside Texas vocalist Sharleen Spiteri and Dawn Steele of Monarch of the Glen fame.

It’s been a hectic spell for Colin, who learned his trade at Perth Youth Theatre alongside Hollywood headliner Ewan McGregor, as he forges a new chapter in a career dominated by Taggart for more than a decade.

His River City debut sees Colin taking on the role of Shieldinch councillor Nick Morrison and the storyline will mirror the countdown to the real Holyrood elections over the next few months.

Colin said: “We have filmed the first 10 episodes and I’ll be back on set in February. I don’t know what the future holds for my character.

“He comes in as an up and coming politician and is pressing the flesh at various events in the community, starting off with a Burns Supper. Being the BBC, he is standing as an independent and I’m sure he won’t turn out to be as squeaky clean as he presents himself.

“As things stand, the door has been left open but I don’t know if I will be elected or not. I’m relying on the voters for an extended stay!

“I had to do a Toast to the Lassies on my first day on set and that was nerve wracking. I was the new boy and everyone was standing around saying ‘show us what you can do then.’

“It’s very different from Taggart. I was there for 14 years – it’s been said I’d have got less for a murder – so this is a bit like making a move from Celtic to Rangers. I’ve crossed the great divide so it’s an exciting move.

“The River City set is unbelievable. I think it’s the biggest permanent set in Europe and something like a £10 million investment by the BBC. Everything – whether it is the underground, community hall or the surgery – is built full-scale.

“Walking through it at night can be quite spooky. You expect to see faces at the windows because the tenements look so realistic.

“They look more than a hundred years old and even the graffiti has been aged. I didn’t know much about River City and the pace has been frantic.

“Four hours of screen-time are produced in two weeks, with two crews on the go non-stop. Filming is four times as fast as Taggart so you really have to be on top of learning your lines.

“You’re straight in after one rehearsal. This type of show is new to me so now I know what is required for actors on EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street if I ever get a part.”

Colin, who has made Glasgow his home, landed the prized role in ‘Between Weathers’ after Perthshire’s executive producer Carol McGregor put his name in the frame.

He said: “I have known Carol for years, since Ewan and I were at Perth Theatre and in Shallow Grave together. She also taught me in sixth year at Perth High School.

“Carol put my name forward for the role and she has a wealth of contacts. It's a brilliant, funny, contemporary and feel-good script, in the Local Hero vein.”

Aberdeen-based director Jim Brown of B4 Films, said: “I’m so pleased that Colin has agreed to play the part of Roddy in the movie.

“His performances have shown him to be one of Scotland's best young actors and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”

There's been a mug-der  

A ST Johnstone mug was often spotted on Taggart after Colin McCredie sneaked it on set in homage to his favourite football team.

And the Saints-daft actor, who banked a few quid backing his heroes to advance in the Scottish Cup at the expense of Hearts recently, is hinting he might try to slip one under the radar in River City.

“It’s been well documented how I was dropped from Taggart after 14 years so it was nice to see Blythe Duff and Alex Norton saying how much I was missed when filming resumed.

“They even drank out of a Saints mug as a wee secret tribute. I thought that was a nice touch. As the original had been thrown in the bin they had to get another one from the club.

“I’ve been joking that I got out a year earlier than them for good behaviour! “I’ve tried to keep my mouth shut about the whole business but I felt I deserved, as an actor and a character, to get a decent exit from Taggart.”