Brian Cox

Brian Cox's latest film is Running with Scissors

In a Hardtalk Extra programme broadcast on Friday 23rd March, Gavin Esler spoke to one of Scotland's greatest acting exports, Brian Cox.

Brian Cox is one of the most sought after British character actors in Hollywood, and has starred in films like the Bourne Supremacy, Troy, Braveheart and Manhunter.

It's all a long way from his working class childhood in Scotland, where visits to the cinema were relief from poverty.

He tells Gavin Esler why all politicians are actors, and why as a lifelong Labour supporter, he regrets that Tony Blair?s era is ending as tragedy.

HARDtalk Extra can be seen on BBC World at 0330 GMT, 0830 GMT, 1430 GMT, and 1830 GMT.

It can also be seen on BBC News 24 at 04:30 and 23:30.