Nerdly » The Filmmaker’s Podcast #506: Brian Cox on directing ‘Glenrothan’

13th May2026

The Filmmaker’s Podcast #506: Brian Cox on directing ‘Glenrothan’

by Phil Wheat

Here’s the latest episode of The Filmmakers Podcast, part of the podcast roster here on Nerdly. If you haven’t heard the show yet, you can check out previous episodes on the official podcast site, whilst we’ll be featuring each and every new episode as it premieres.

For those unfamiliar with the series, The Filmmakers Podcast is a podcast about how to make films from micro-budget indie films to bigger-budget studio films and everything in between. Our hosts Giles Alderson, Dom Lenoir, Dan Richardson, Andrew Rodger and Cristian James talk about how to get films made, how to actually make them and how to try not to f… it up in their very humble opinion. Guests will come on and chat about their filmmaking experiences from directors, writers, producers and screenwriters, to actors, cinematographers and distributors.

The Filmmaker’s Podcast #506: Brian Cox on Directing Glenrothan, Trusting Your Collaborators, and the Magic of the Edit

Filmmakers, you are in for an absolute treat today. We are joined by a true titan of the industry, the legendary Brian Cox. After decades of delivering iconic performances on stage and screen, Brian sits down with us to discuss stepping behind the camera for his highly anticipated feature directorial debut, Glenrothan. Fresh off a phenomenal premiere at TIFF (complete with a massive standing ovation!), Brian breaks down his deeply egalitarian approach to filmmaking. He shares the brilliant story of how his producer, Neil Zegler, flat-out told him he was the only person who could direct this movie, and how he leaned heavily on his DP to bring the vision to life. We dive into the nitty-gritty of the craft: why Brian prioritizes script, story, and actors over rigid shot lists and storyboards, the delicate art of directing yourself and “staying out of your own way,” and how assembling a powerhouse cast—including Alan Cumming, Shirley Henderson, and brilliant young talent—elevated the entire production. Plus, he shares some invaluable lessons from the cutting room, including why they had to switch editors and dramatically restructure a crucial waterfall scene.