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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Kirsten McStay

My Old School: full cast list, where and when to watch

Back in 1995, one of Scotland's most notorious imposters hit the headlines as a 30-year-old man managed to enrol as a 16-year-old pupil at his old high school in Bearsden.

'Brandon Lee', real name Brian MacKinnon, decided to try and get back into education in an attempt to gain some qualifications after failing at university.

The unique story was then turned into a documentary film, which originally premiered at Sundance earlier this year but tonight it will be available for all to watch on TV screens from today (Friday, December 23).

The movie includes a real audio interview with Brian, and interviews with old classmates and teachers at Glasgow’s Bearsden Academy.

So we take a look at the story of 'Brandon Lee' and when we can watch it on our screens...

Is it based on a true story?

Yes. The film is actually directed by Jono McLeod, who attended Bearsden Academy and was a former classmate of the imposter.

The failed Glasgow Uni student pretended to be Canadian teenager Brandon Lee to get back into his old school, which he went to as a teenager 15 years before.

Brandon Lee (aka Brian MacKinnon), with two friends (PA)

And he succeeded, even getting into the University of Dundee, before he was eventually rumbled and expelled for his deception.

Jono recalled that Brian was a bit of a geek when he first joined class 5C at the academy, but that he quickly rose up the social ladder to become a popular student.

Jono said: "A lot of people in the class have their own take on what 'Brandon' did but for the most part they have a fondness for him. I know that's not across the board. The film is not a takedown of him but I don't agree with all the decisions he made back then."

Cast

Alan Cumming will lipsynch to Brandon Lee's interview in new documentary My Old School (My Old School/Alan Cumming)

X-Men star Alan Cumming plays in the lead role of Brandon Lee/BrianMacKinnon

The film even includes a title track by Lulu, who plays Mrs Holmes. Other cast members include River City's Gary Lamont, who plays Mr MacKinnon.

Gregory's Girl actress Clare Grogan plays Mrs Ogg, Wild at Heart star Dawn Steele plays Mrs Nolan whilst Balamory actress Juliet Cadzow plays Brandon's gran.

When is it on?

(Daily Record)

My Old School will air on BBC One Scotland tonight (Friday, December 23) at 9pm and will be available on BBC iPlayer from today.

Where is Brian/Brandon now?

Earlier this year, we reported that Brian claimed he was approached by Jono at a cafe, but declined the invitation to take part in an interview. "I have had nothing to do with this film and I have zero interest in ever wanting to watch any of it," Brian said earlier this year. I have never given an interview with Jono McLeod.

"I don't recall even being at school with him the second time around."

Brian MacKinnon, in Glasgow as he is now (Sunday Mail)

When the story broke in 1995, Brian reportedly turned down a six-figure book deal to tell his side of the story - but then self-published an autobiography two years later.

Now, he prefers to avoid talking about his second school time, saying: "I did what I did. That was then, this is now. I kept my head down and got on with it."

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