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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Alasdair Clark

Where are The Angels' Share cast now? Window cleaner, travel agent and actor's arrest

With it's beautiful skylines, cobbled streets and rich history, it's no wonder Edinburgh is a hotspot for film crews.

And even when they chose to film over in Glasgow, many film makers can't resist some of Edinburgh excellent locations.

Whilst The Angels' Share was primarily filmed outside the capital, including in the Scottish Highlands, some key scenes used an Edinburgh backdrop in the 2011 production.

The film saw a group hatch a madcap money-making scheme to steal four bottles of the world's most expensive whisky.

But 10 years on from the cult classic, we've taken a look at where the stars of the Ken Loach movie are today.

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Paul Brannigan - Robbie

Paul Brannigan has landed a number of TV roles since he starred as Robbie (Wishaw Press)

Scottish actor Paul Brannigan starred as Robbie in the 2012 film, and it remains one of his best known roles to date.

After growing up in Glasgow, Brannigan went on to serve time in a young offenders prison before landing his role on the big screen which landed him a Scottish Bafta for his portrayal of Robbie.

Paul Brannigan has been one of the most successful of the cast, going on to star in Sunshine on Leith and alongside Scarlett Johansson in Under the Skin.

And he also landed a role in the 2020 BBC show The Nest.

But in 2017 Paul said he was concerned his conviction for a gun offence could limit his opportunities in Hollywood after he was refused entry to America for a holiday.

Speaking about his career prospects, he said: “In terms of putting the pressure on myself to do better, I’m still not where I want to be. I should be pushing America more.

Paul Brannigan in The Nest (BBC)

“But if you look at my past CV it’s all a life of crime and no education so in order to get to America you also have to change your CV, so to speak.

“So I’ve done some work with the police and the Scottish Government and I hope when the time’s right these people will back me as much as I’ve backed them.

“Obviously being done with firearms, it’s going to affect me at some level getting to America.”

Brannigan was arrested on New Year's Eve 2020.

John Henshaw - Harry

John Henshaw was the most established actor in the film (SplashMedia)

Unlike his co-stars, John Henshaw was an established actor when he played Harry, mentor to Robbie, in the film.

Since then, he has starred in a number of TV shows and films, including in the BBC series Father Brown.

William Ruane - Rhino

William Ruane has had a number of jobs - including as a DJ (PA)

Acting hasn't been as fruitful for 35-year-old William Ruane, who has struggled for parts since his success in The Angels' Share.

He did go on to reprise his role in River City, but Ruane admitted before this he had been "pretty much done" with the business.

It was reported in 2017 that Ruane had taken on a number of jobs to support himself; including working as a DJ, selling windows and cars and stint working in a travel agency.

Jasmin Riggins - Mo

Jasmin Riggins was 19 when she starred in the movie (SUNDAY MAIL)

Starring as Mo at just 19, Jasmin Riggins had no acting credits to her name before The Angels' Share.

After the movie, she went on to learn more about acting at university, and since then has starred in a short movie, Free Period.

Speaking about her decision to go back to study in 2017, Riggins said: “I know that it may have seemed like a strange decision to go back to school after the film was so successful but I wanted to learn everything I could.

“I’d love to get a part in a TV drama series, something dark, to show that side of me.”

And the success of the movie took her by surprise: “It was madness and a bit of a blur. I couldn’t believe I was in that position."

Gary Maitland - Albert

Gary Maitland (centre) has also had limited success (Getty Images)

Like William Ruane, Gary Maitland has also struggled to pick parts up since he starred as Albert. After the film's release, he went back to his previous life as a bin man.

“Once the film was finished I auditioned for a couple of things but I wasn’t successful.

“Trying my luck in London seemed too risky and, as I had my secure job here, I probably didn’t try as much as I should have.

“I was supposed to get an agent but I suppose the success fell in my lap and afterwards I should have made the effort," he said.

But he said even if nothing else came along, he would be happy to say he'd been in Angels' Share: “You watch films when you’re younger but I never thought I would be in one that was so successful. The reaction the film got at Cannes is something I’ll never forget.

"If I never do anything else again I can always say that I’ve been there and done that.”

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