Robert Carlyle made his debut in 1996 as Francis Begbie (a groundbreaking cult film).
The 60-year old actor from Glasgow will play his role in six television series that are based on Irvine Welsh’s book The Blade Artist.
The latest instalment in Begbie’s story will see the character return from a lavish life in California, where he’s become a celebrity in the art world, to Scotland for his murdered son’s funeral.
However the new series is ‘a way off’ at the moment, with Carlyle predicting that the project will hit small screens in around 18 months, the actor told Sky News.
Robert Carlyle revealed details about the six-part TV spin-off series that he is creating based upon Irvine Welsh’s 2016 novel, The Blade Artist. The project is currently 18 months away from its premiering. In London 2017, he is seen.
In 1996, the groundbreaking film Trainspotting featured Francis Begbie as a psychotic and hard-working actor. (Carlyle is pictured with Ewan McGregor in Trainspotting).
He said, “It’s still a ways off at the moment. I would think probably how these things proceed, 18 months maybe down the road.”
Based on the 1993 novel, Trainspotting was the first movie to make its debut. The film tells the shocking tale of four Edinburgh-based friends and their heroin addiction.
Robert will star as executive producer and the new series will be an adaptation of The Blade Artist. The original author Danny Boyle is unknown.
Teasing details of the project, Robert revealed that his character starts off the movie having just HMP Edinburgh, where he served a 25-year prison sentence for his multitude of crimes.
L-R: Author Irvine Welsh, Carlyle and Jonny Lee Miller. Ewen Bremner Trainspotting at the Film Set in 1995
While inside Begbie discovers a talent for art, particularly sculpture, and eventually marries his art therapist – something Robert says is not that unusual in the real world.
His artwork was discovered after he had children in America. The former thug becomes a star for the “glitterati” of the day.
“So, he suddenly has to be a cause célèbre, but very quickly, within the first 10 pages of his book, he receives a call back from home. His son had been killed by a gang. He must go back and it spirals out of control.’, explained Carlyle.
Carlyle has confirmed that he will make a return in the series’ October episode, however no other cast members have been added to the project.
In the original 1996 film, Begbie is a friend of the group who is not addicted to heroin but is volatile and extremely violent
On his return, Robert told Deadline that the ‘prospect of working with Irvine and bringing Francis Begbie to life once more is an absolute gift’.
Irvine, Novelist added that Begbie is Begbie while Robert was a long-standing friend and collaborator who inspired the character with his incendiary portrayal.
“It is obvious that it would be an understatement to say that I am thrilled at our creative reunification on this project.
2017 saw the premiere of Trainspotting 2, a sequel to Irvine Welsh’s 2002 novel Porno. Original cast members reprised their roles.
2017 saw the premiere of Trainspotting 2, a sequel to Irvine Welsh’s 2002 novel Porno. The original cast reacted and reprised their roles. Pictured, Carlyle in the film
Boyle directed Trainspotting 2. The film, abbreviated as T2, saw the actors attempt to break into the adult film business.
Carlyle’s character Begbie, played by Carlyle, was back in hot temper. However, this time, Begbie had to face serious responsibility for his fatherhood.
Robert Teased His New Series at the T2 World Premiere by revealing that the sequel to his original film will not be the last time he sees his character.
He commented on the possibility of a trilogy and said that ‘We have been discussing it. I’m up for it.’ “So, maybe we haven’t seen the last of Begbie yet.