Scottish actor James McAvoy has credited his early filming experiences in Wales for inspiring his lasting passion for the outdoors. One of his earliest roles was in the 2000 BBC costume drama Lorna Doone, much of which was filmed around Bannau Brycheiniog, also known as the Brecon Beacons.
James McAvoy’s Early Career and Outdoor Interests
During the production of Lorna Doone, McAvoy took every opportunity to explore the natural surroundings, often climbing Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in south Wales. He told BBC Radio Wales that being in the Brecon Beacons sparked his interest in camping and hiking, activities he pursued extensively until he was 30 years old.
The drama Lorna Doone tells the story of a young man’s quest for revenge after his father’s murder and his encounter with the title character. Although the original novel is set in Exmoor, Devon, the producers chose to film in Wales, a decision that reportedly upset some fans of the book at the time.
Return to Wales and Recent Work
McAvoy later returned to Wales to star in the fantasy drama His Dark Materials, which was filmed in various locations across the country between 2018 and 2021. He described his time filming in Cardiff as “a really good time” and said he gained a “real good taste” of the city.
Directorial Debut and Representation in Film
In addition to acting, James McAvoy recently made his directorial debut with the film California Schemin’, released in UK cinemas last month. The comedy-drama tells the true story of two Scottish rappers, Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, known as Silibil N’ Brains, who pretended to be from California to secure a record deal.
McAvoy described the project as “extremely exciting” because it allowed him to showcase underrepresented groups and people from lower income backgrounds on screen. He expressed enthusiasm about making a film set in places familiar from his childhood, noting that such locations are rarely represented in cinema, especially in Scotland.
He also aimed to create a short and fast-paced film, contrasting with many contemporary movies that tend to be lengthy. McAvoy said, “I wanted to make a film finish before the audience wanted the film to finish.”