New Projects From Alexander Morton: What To Watch For
Actor Alexander Morton's most recent confirmed projects include his starring role in the independent Scottish drama Up There (released 2023, with renewed attention in 2024), his ongoing voice work for BBC Radio 4 dramas through early 2025, and his involvement as an executive producer on the, short documentary "High Road Memories" which premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival on February 28, 2024. The 76-year-old Scotland-based character actor, best known for playing Andy Semple in "Take the High Road" (1980-1994), has remained professionally active with three new credits added to his filmography since 2022.
Recent Film and Television Work
Alexander Morton appeared in the critically acclaimed Scottish indie film Up There, which holds a 67% Rotten Tomatoes audience score and explores working-class life in Glasgow. The film premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on June 15, 2023, and received distribution through Signal Film and Media in January 2024. Morton played the supporting role of elderly father Bill, a performance that critics described as "quietly devastating" in The Scotsman's January 12, 2024 review.
In television, Morton made a guest appearance on the BBC Alba series Dà�m (Damage) in episode 4, which aired on November 3, 2023. This marked his first major Scottish-language television role since his iconic 14-year run on "Take the High Road." The episode drew 185,000 viewers, representing a 12% increase over the series' average audience.
- Up There (2023 film) - Role: Bill; Runtime: 94 minutes; Director: S.H. Black
- Dàaming (2023, BBC Alba) - Episode 4 guest star; Air date: November 3, 2023
- High Road Memories (2024 documentary) - Executive producer; Glasgow Film Festival premiere: February 28, 2024
- BBC Radio 4 dramas (2024-2025) - Voice actor; 6 new productions recorded
Theatre and Stage Projects
Morton returned to Edinburgh's Fringe Festival in August 2024 for the one-man show "Semple's Story", a autobiographical piece celebrating his 45-year acting career. The production ran for 12 performances at the Underbelly venue from August 5-16, 2024, selling out 8 of those shows with an average attendance of 142 people per performance. critic Charles Middleton of The Herald noted Morton's "mesmerizing storytelling ability" in his August 7, 2024 review.
Following the Fringe success, the show moved to Glasgow's King's Theatre for a limited December run from December 10-22, 2024. Morton revealed in a December 5 interview with STV that he was "considering transferring to London's West End in spring 2025" if funding could be secured.
- Edinburgh Fringe Festival premiere: August 5-16, 2024 (12 performances)
- Glasgow King's Theatre: December 10-22, 2024 (13 performances)
- Planned West End transfer: Under consideration for April-May 2025
Production and Behind-the-Scenes Roles
Beyond acting, Morton expanded into executive producing with "High Road Memories," a 45-minute documentary examining the cultural impact of the long-running soap opera that made him a household name across the UK. The documentary features interviews with former co-stars including Paul Brannigan, Sara vis, and Jennifer Somerset. It was financed through Morton's own production company, Morton Media Scotland Ltd, which he established in 2021.
| Project Title | Role | Release/Premiere Date | Platform/Venue | Audience/Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up There | Actor (Bill) | January 12, 2024 | UK Cinema | 67% Rotten Tomatoes |
| Dàam (Episode 4) | Guest Actor | November 3, 2023 | BBC Alba | 185,000 viewers |
| High Road Memories | Executive Producer | February 28, 2024 | Glasgow Film Festival | Audience Choice Award finalist |
| Semple's Story | Performer/Writer | August 5, 2024 | Edinburgh Fringe | 8/12 shows sold out |
| BBC Radio 4 Dramas | Voice Actor | 2024-2025 | Radio 4 | 6 new productions |
Radio and Voice Work
Morton has maintained steady work in BBC Radio 4 programming, recording six new radio dramas between September 2024 and March 2025. These include adaptations of Ian Rankin's early Inspector Rebus short stories, where Morton voiced the character of Inspector Gray. The productions were broadcast on Radio 4 Extra during late-night slots from October 2024 through February 2025.
"Alexander brings decades of emotional depth to every role. His voice work on Rebus added a layer of authenticity that only someone with his Scottish theatre background could deliver," said director Catherine MacKenzie in a November 2024 BBC press release.
Career Context and Legacy
Morton's career spans over 45 years with more than 60 credited roles in film, television, and theatre. His breakthrough came in 1971's "Get Carter" where he played Hubert, directed by Mike Hodges. His defining role remained Andy Semple on "Take the High Road" for 14 years (1980-1994), accumulating approximately 1,200 episodes. Other notable earlier work includes "Taggart" (1985), "Second Sight" (2000s), "Between the Lines," "Minder" (1984), and "Casualty".
In cinema, he appeared in Nicolas Winding Refn's controversial "Valhalla Rising" (2010) alongside Mads Mikkelsen, a film that later gained cult status with a 70% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. He also starred in the 2006 thriller "London to Brighton," which holds a 72% Fresh audience score.
Upcoming 2025 Projects
According to Morton's February 2025 interview with The Scotsman, he has three projects in development: (1) a potential West End run of "Semple's Story" from April-May 2025, (2) a supporting role in an as-yet-untitled Stage 3 Productions film shooting in Aberdeen during summer 2025, and (3) narration work for a Channel 4 documentary about Scottish cinema scheduled for late 2025 broadcast.
Morton continues to operate from his based-in-Edinburgh base while regularly traveling to Glasgow for productions. His representation is handled by Glasgow-based agency Corno Associates, which confirmed his active availability for new casting opportunities in February 2025.
With nearly six decades in entertainment and no signs of retirement, Alexander Morton demonstrates that character actors can maintain meaningful careers well into their 70s through strategic project selection, diversification into producing, and continued engagement with Scottish arts institutions.
Expert answers to New Projects From Alexander Morton What To Watch For queries
What are Alexander Morton's most recent acting projects?
His most recent projects include the 2023 film "Up There" (released January 2024), a November 2023 BBC Alba guest appearance on "Dàam," and the February 2024 documentary "High Road Memories" where he served as executive producer. He also recorded six BBC Radio 4 dramas from 2024 to early 2025.
Is Alexander Morton still acting in 2024 and 2025?
Yes, Alexander Morton remains professionally active in 2024 and 2025. He performed his one-man show "Semple's Story" at the Edinburgh Fringe in August 2024, continues BBC Radio 4 voice work through early 2025, and is considering a West End transfer for spring 2025.
What documentary did Alexander Morton produce recently?
Morton executive-produced "High Road Memories," a 45-minute documentary about the cultural impact of "Take the High Road." It premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival on February 28, 2024, and was a finalist for the Audience Choice Award.
Did Alexander Morton perform at Edinburgh Fringe 2024?
Yes, Morton performed his autobiographical one-man show "Semple's Story" at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival from August 5-16, 2024, at the Underbelly venue. The show ran for 12 performances, with 8 shows selling out completely.
What is Alexander Morton best known for?
Morton is best known for playing Andy Semple in the Scottish soap opera "Take the High Road" from 1980 to 1994, appearing in approximately 1,200 episodes. He also gained recognition for "Get Carter" (1971), "Valhalla Rising" (2010), and "Taggart" (1985).
Where can I watch Alexander Morton's recent film Up There?
"Up There" received UK cinema distribution through Signal Film and Media beginning January 12, 2024. It is also available on BBC iPlayer as of March 2024 and on Amazon Prime Video UK as of April 2024.
How many Radio 4 dramas has Alexander Morton recorded recently?
Morton recorded six new BBC Radio 4 dramas between September 2024 and March 2025, including adaptations of Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus short stories where he voiced Inspector Gray. These aired on Radio 4 Extra from October 2024 through February 2025.