Irvine Welsh, the writer behind the iconic film Trainspotting, has expressed his willingness to recast some of the beloved characters in a potential new TV adaptation.
In a recent interview with Radio Times Magazine, Welsh humorously claimed that he could portray all the characters himself. “I could probably play them all quite well,” he joked, adding, “I think I could do a decent hard man as Begbie; I could embody the cynical outsider, Renton; take a shot at the lover, Sick Boy; and definitely pull off the hapless fool, Spud. Every character you write reflects a part of you, even the more eccentric ones.”
Welsh mentioned that he has been collaborating with Bobby Carlyle on ideas for the series. He expressed a desire to bring in brilliant young actors to reimagine the roles, starting from the prequel novel Skagboys.
His upcoming sequel novel, Men In Love, set to be released this week, continues the story of Renton, Spud, Sick Boy, and Begbie as they navigate life beyond heroin and explore romance. The narrative unfolds in the late 1980s, a period Welsh described as a transitional time between punk and acid house, marked by the stagnation of Thatcherism.
Reflecting on this phase of life, he shared, “At that time, I thought I had my fun with punk and drugs, and just wanted to settle down. But then acid house came along and completely changed that perspective.”
In conjunction with the release of the novel, Welsh announced a disco album also titled Men In Love, collaborating with the Sci-Fi Soul orchestra. The album features a blend of classic Motown, disco influences, and contemporary electronic dance production.
Welsh emphasized the importance of love in challenging times, stating, “Despite the rise of soul-dead oligarchs and destructive technologies, our capacity for love remains boundless.”
In other news, Welsh has recently criticized the UK government’s response to the band Kneecap, calling it a “total embarrassment.” Kneecap had previously cited Trainspotting as a significant influence in crafting their own biopic.
This comment came amid a wave of controversy following the band’s performance at Coachella 2025, where their livestream was unexpectedly cut after they initiated an anti-Thatcher chant, leaving organizers “blindsided” by their political message.
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