James McAvoy shares awkward audition story ahead of directorial debut
The actor later laughed off the awkward moment as part of his journey
James McAvoy is looking back on one of his more awkward early-career moments, revealing he once attempted to fake a Northern English accent during an audition with less-than-successful results.
In a recent interview with the Associated Press, the Glasgow-born actor shared that he was told casting directors were only considering local talent for a role in Manchester. Determined to secure the opportunity, McAvoy improvised an accent and backstory on the spot.
“I was just making stuff up,” he admitted, recalling how he even struggled to name his supposed hometown during the audition. “It didn’t go well.”
The actor said the moment quickly unraveled under questioning, making it clear that his attempt to pass as a local was far from convincing.
Adding to the memory, McAvoy revealed he encountered Tom Hardy in the waiting room afterward, who appeared amused by the situation, offering a knowing reaction to the failed attempt.
The anecdote comes as McAvoy promotes his directorial debut, California Schemin', which coincidentally mirrors themes of identity and deception.
The film tells the real-life-inspired story of two Scottish teenagers who posed as a Californian rap duo to break into the music industry, eventually landing a record deal and gaining media attention before their scheme was exposed.
Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025, the film has now been released in the U.K., marking a new milestone in McAvoy’s career as both actor and director.