Brian Cox Reveals Filming Secrets with Succession Star

Growing up with her family near , Alexandra Wilkie's life was just like any other nine year old. 

Until she heard about an opportunity through her dance school to audition in an upcoming film. And not just any film, none other than Brian Cox's directorial debut. 

Released last week, Glenrothan follows the story of a pair of warring Scottish brothers whose family is torn apart as they battle over their whisky distillery.

Starring Brian himself as the protagonist Sandy, the Succession star is joined by Alan Cummings, Barbie star Alexandra Shipp and star Shirley Henderson. 

Known for his role as tyrannical media mogul Logan Roy in Succession, like his character Brian isn't afraid to speak his mind, recently insisting he 'doesn't want to be careful anymore'. 

From criticising 'woke culture' to brutal digs at the acting world's biggest names, Brian, 79, is a force to be reckoned with.   

However when it came to Alex (and her mum or 'momager' Kim) the legendary star couldn't have been any nicer and has been embracing the youngster as if she was his own grandchild. 

Recalling meeting Brian and Nicole for the first time, Alex told The Daily Mail: 'It was the last stage of the auditions and I just went and in and they started talking to me.

'He is so nice and so welcoming and just so different to some of the characters he’s played.' 

After sending off a self tape, Alex, who is now 11, found herself in a complete whirlwind as she was whisked into the audition process and upon meeting Alex, Brian and his wife Nicole knew she was the one for the part. 

Brimming with pride her mum Kim added: 'As soon as she met Brian Cox and his wife Nicole they just loved her instantly.' 

While the film is set in Glasgow, Alex's character Sasha has a North American accent and Brian and Nicole were keen to find an actress who was local, but could also perfect the yank twang. 

And Alex was the perfect match: 'Nicole and Brian still talk about how good her accent is throughout it,' gushed Kim. 

She added: 'Him and his wife Nicole are just scooping her up like she was their own granddaughter. 

'I felt so safe that I really could leave her with them instantly. They were so genuine and really caring, nothing like we thought they would be.'

And after shooting for six weeks just outside of Glasgow, Brian and Nicole have made sure to keep Alex firmly in their fold. 

Travelling across the globe, Alex found herself soon swapping the school playground for red carpets. 

Glenrothan premiered during the Toronto International Film Festival last September, and Alex grinned beside Brian and Shirley as she held her own in front of the bright lights. 

Looking back at the pinch me moment, the pair described suddenly attending the most glamorous of parties, filled with frozen champagne glasses and gourmet chocolate fountains. 

Earlier this year they also attended the Palm Springs Film Festival, where they soon found themselves once again hanging out with Brian and Nicole like old friends, enjoying dinners together and even accompanying Nicole on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway when Brian didn't want to go. 

As the Palm Springs Film Festival in California happened to coincide with Alan Cumming getting his star on Hollywood Boulevard, Alex decided to surprise her co-star. 

'We literally had 45 minutes and jumped in an Uber and blagged our way in,' explained Kim: 'and when the Coxes and Alan saw her, they literally ran over to the security and scooped her up in big cuddles.'

Alex also bonded with Alexandra, with the American actress desperate to embrace the Scottish wildlife during her time up North. 

'Me and Alexandra, we went to go see some Highland cows, so we took her up to a farm and we had a day there,' explained Alex. 

Kim added: 'We're brought up on a farm and Alexandra Ship said  "Can you get me into some cows? I need to see cows." So we literally spent a day driving around farms with her.

'She came to our farms and fed the ducks and met our horse.'

And when Alex and Kim touched down in LA for the Palm Springs Festival, Alexandra made sure to repay the favour as she picked them up in her Barbie jeep and took them to a classic American diner. 

'It just showed the strength of the friendships we have secured,' added Kim. 

With opportunities at her feet, Alex is unsure what she wants to do next, but is constantly receiving scripts and is keen to use her love of dance in a musical theatre role. 

One thing is for sure, not every 11-year-old can say they are friends with Brian Cox.