Alan Cumming praises Scotland for being ‘sane’ country that values the arts

By Lauren Del Fabbro, Press Association Entertainment Reporter

Actor and presenter Alan Cumming has praised Scotland for being “sane” and a country that “values things like the arts”.

The 61-year-old Scottish actor, writer and presenter is known for hosting the US version of The Traitors as well as for his stage and screen acting career.

The Perthshire-born star has recently returned to Scottish theatre after joining the Pitlochry Festival Theatre as artistic director and said he is looking to give something back to the place that helped shape him and his career.

Speaking to The Times, he said: “I am going back to the area of Scotland that I am from, I’m bringing with me everything I have become, but I know the success I’ve had is due to the fact that I was able to go to a drama school that was subsidised by the government.

“I was able to work in theatres subsidised by the government when I was a baby actor.

“It’s good to be back in a country that is sane and values things like the arts.

“I’m not Mary Poppins. It’s exciting for me. But I’m here to kick it up the bum a bit as well.”

Cumming won the 1991 Olivier award for best comedy performance for his role in a production of the Italian play Accidental Death Of An Anarchist and in 1998 won the best actor in a musical Tony award for his portrayal of the Emcee in Cabaret.

He has also fronted the US version of The Traitors since it first launched in 2023, making his mark on the programme with his extravagant outfits and “camply theatrical” presenting style – a stark contrast to Claudia Winkelman’s gothic look and dry humour on the UK version of the show.

Speaking about the hit reality game show, Cumming said: “I think I have a great bird’s eye view from the inside.

“Most times, around episodes five or six, they all go nuts. It’s like a psychological experiment.

“They start doing irrational things, making stupid decisions, go for herd mentality.

“They just lose it, though they kind of come out of it a bit later. I would probably be the same in there.

“They don’t have their phones, they’re in a bubble, there is nothing else to think about.”

Despite both being set in the Scottish Highlands, the US version features celebrity contestants and recently announced that it will air its first “civilian”, in other words celebrity free, series later this year.

The recent series of The Traitors US stars Love Island star Maura Higgins, Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills’ Lisa Rinna, RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Monet X Change and chef and TV host Kristen Kish.

Speaking about his persona on the show, Cumming added: “I think it’s funny that the American version is much more camply theatrical than the British version — that must be a first.

“It was such a leftfield move for me.

“I’m acting this crazy person in it, really, but it has pushed things along.”

The Scottish actor is also known for his roles starring in American drama The Good Wife and appearing in films including X2: X-Men United and GoldenEye.

In 2018, he was awarded a Bafta Scotland award for outstanding contribution to film and television.

Cumming will also host the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards later this month.