Scottish actor and producer known for Bond and decades of film work
Obituary confirms Michael Byrne has died on 20 June 2026. A veteran British actor with a long film and stage career, Byrne played Ernst Vogel in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Ted Page in Coronation Street, among other roles. His career spanned theatre work with the National Theatre and major screen performances.
Historic Furka and Glenfinnan steam trains are revived as tourist icons, linking Uri and Valais in Switzerland and drawing thousands to Glenfinnan’s viaduct. Enthusiasts describe a living machine as celebrations mark a century of journeys.
Actor Sam Neill has died at 78. His career spanned five decades, from early NZ breakthroughs to Hollywood fame in Jurassic Park and acclaimed arthouse films such as The Piano. He will be remembered for his warmth, versatility and enduring presence across cinema and television.
Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre has reopened after a near-four-year closure following a £41 million refurbishment. The Edwardian venue now features enhanced accessibility, a level stage, extended fly tower, upgraded technical infrastructure and doubled hospitality capacity. Test events have taken place and tours are selling quickly ahead of fringe season.
Edinburgh’s Princes Street remains partly closed after a blaze, but authorities are pushing ahead with stabilisation work, public funding, and a plan to restore the 150-year-old Debenhams facade. Council leaders emphasise safety and momentum, while a public consultation is promised within six months.
The James Bond casting search has intensified, with frontrunners narrowing and new bets shifting as producers pace the process amid a flurry of interviews and public speculation.
The next James Bond casting is narrowing to a select group of contenders as Denis Villeneuve shapes the project and Amazon MGM Studios signals a careful, secretive approach. Rumors swirl around front-runners like Jack Barton, Callum Turner, Tom Francis and Harris Dickinson, while Saoirse Ronan hints at a future villain role. Official announcements are still expected later this year.