Daniel Portman speaks up for Scottish independence, endorses Lena Headey for James Bond

Anyone who follows Daniel Portman (Podrick Payne) on Twitter knows that the Scottish actor takes a keen interest in politics. Not only is he an avid supporter of women’s rights, he’s been very vocal about his stance on the EU Referendum. In light of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union — a decision largely made by majority voters in England and Wales — Portman has joined many of his fellow Scots in calling for Scottish independence.

Ahead of the Empire magazine awards, Portman spoke to reporters about his desire for an independent Scotland.

"If I could run the British empire for a day I would give Scotland its independence. I am absolutely for it with the kind of mess we are in now."

As many readers will know, Scotland held an independence referendum in 2014 and the ‘remain’ side — whose notable supporters included author JK Rowling and the late, great David Bowie — won a victory with 55.3% of the votes. However, with an exit from the European Union looming, a new referendum may turn out differently.

Portman, for his part, is doing whatever he can to encourage another vote. “I am very vocal about it,” he said. “But everybody is entitled to their own opinion.”

On a lighter topic, Portman also has some opinions on which actor should next take up the mantle of James Bond, having previously expressed his desire to see Idris Elba in the role.

Interesting idea. Headey has certainly got a knack for playing tough cookies, as her previous roles in 300 and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles will attest. (And also, y’know, Cersei.) Would we like to see her take on the world’s most famous spy? I absolutely would.

Moving away from actual cast members, actor Daniel Kaluuya (who recently starred in the critically acclaimed Get Out and once worked alongside Joe Dempsie (Gendry) and Hannah Murray (Gilly) in the teen drama Skins) has been discussing Marvel’s Black Panther movie, where he’ll play an advisor to the titular superhero. In an interview with GQ, Kaluuya excitedly compared the movie to Game of Thrones.

"This is an African blockbuster, bruv. This is like Game of Thrones. This is crazy. And [director] Ryan Coogler is just, man dem. He’s like us! He’s a normal dude, in a Golden State hat and a Tupac T-shirt directing the whole set. It’s the most beautiful thing to see."

How Black Panther and Game of Thrones compare is yet to be seen, although Kaluuya may simply be referring to the scale of the production, or the beauty of the movie’s setting, as you can see above in some concept art available on the home video release of Doctor Strange. You can decide for yourself when the movie arrives in cinemas in February 2018.

h/t The Scotsman