Alan Cumming, despite his four-decade-spanning career, sees himself as an outsider in the entertainment world.
His impressive resume covers film, theater, television, and even cabaret, a diverse path he believes has fueled his enduring creativity and genuine approach rather than any grand career strategy.
“Having an outsider’s perspective is amazing,” the 61-year-old actor shared in a recent interview. “It allows you to approach things with a fresh outlook and find joy in your unique qualities, which I believe makes you a better person.”
This Sunday, Cumming adds another surprising role to his repertoire: hosting the prestigious EE BAFTA Film Awards at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
He steps into the shoes of fellow Scot David Tennant, who hosted for the previous two years. The BAFTAs, often dubbed the British equivalent of the Oscars, celebrate excellence in film.
Leading this year’s nominations is Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” with an impressive 14 nods, closely followed by “Sinners” with 13.
Discussing his hosting approach while sporting a sweatshirt emblazoned with “CULT LEADER,” Cumming stated, “You need to be funny, a bit sharp, and acknowledge current global events.”
He noted that many of the nominated films reflect the anxieties of the contemporary world.
“Watching these films often leaves you in a constant state of anxiety,” he observed.
Films like “One Battle After Another” explore the ongoing fight against injustice, while “Sinners” delves into uncovering profound evil. Other nominated works, including “Marty Supreme,” “Hamnet,” and “Sentimental Value,” tackle themes of tragedy, personal struggle, and intricate family relationships.
Despite the somber themes, Cumming intends to underscore the BAFTAs as a vibrant celebration of creative achievement. “That’s truly all it should be,” he affirmed.
While remaining tight-lipped about his opening monologue, Cumming did confirm a special cameo: his dog, Lala. Known as his “co-host” on Peacock’s murder-mystery sensation “The Traitors” and an “international canine sensation” with over 34,000 Instagram followers, Lala is now a recognized public figure. Cumming chuckled, saying, “She’s got this hilarious life.”
Cumming’s diverse talent knows no bounds, with a career featuring everything from a tech-savvy Bond villain and a blue-skinned mutant to acclaimed Shakespearean roles. His accolades include wins at the Tonys, Critics’ Choice Awards, Emmys, and Olivier Awards.
Across generations, he’s remembered for iconic characters like Sandy Frink in “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion,” Fegan Floop in the “Spy Kids” series, and Eli Gold from “The Good Wife.” Even pop music enthusiasts recall his role as the enthusiastic documentary filmmaker in “Spice World.”
His journey to stardom began during his first year at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland), where he and classmate Forbes Masson co-created the satirical duo Victor and Barry. This comedic breakthrough launched Cumming into the national spotlight at the 1984 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Cumming’s career continued to flourish, earning him critical acclaim. In 1995, he captivated audiences as the formidable, bespectacled villain Boris Grishenko in “GoldenEye,” the debut James Bond film for Pierce Brosnan.
However, it was his mesmerizing lead performance as the enigmatic Emcee in Sam Mendes’s 1998 Broadway revival of “Cabaret” that truly cemented his international stardom and earned him a Tony Award.
More recently, his role as the witty host of the American version of Peacock’s hit murder-mystery competition, “The Traitors,” has honed his skills for the BAFTA stage. Cumming famously described the show as “‘Lord of the Flies’ with Botox.”
Set against the dramatic backdrop of 19th-century Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, “The Traitors,” now in its fourth season (concluding Feb. 26), sees “faithful” contestants engaging in a series of missions and psychological games to expose covert “traitors” and win up to $250,000.
“The unpredictability of the show is incredibly exciting, truly electrifying,” he remarked, adding that it has taught him to “roll with the punches.”
His distinctive, flamboyant wardrobe on “The Traitors,” expertly styled by Sam Spector, has become a signature. Past ensembles have ranged from tartan military uniforms, capes, and berets to outfits inspired by diverse figures like a chess piece, the Statue of Liberty, Mary Queen of Scots, and even the iconic moai statues of Easter Island.
“I even dressed as a coffin,” he quipped about one Season 4 costume, “Isn’t that hilarious?”
A visit to the Liberace Museum Collection in Las Vegas recently prompted Cumming to draw parallels between himself and the legendary flamboyant American pianist. Both share an undeniable love for extravagant fashion, with Liberace’s costumes famously escalating in grandeur throughout his 1950s-1970s heyday.
“I thought, ‘Oh my God, that’s me!’” Cumming confessed.
For the BAFTAs, he plans three distinct outfits: beginning with a “ka-boom” sparkly red carpet look, and transitioning to more formal attire as the evening unfolds.
In the lead-up to the awards, Cumming described his schedule as “manic.” The latter half of 2025 saw him producing “Tip Toe,” a five-part queer thriller for Channel Four, and he’s just returned to touring his solo cabaret, “Alan Cumming: Uncut.”
Beyond that, he’s the artistic director of Scotland’s Pitlochry Festival Theater, where he’s set to direct the world premiere of Martin Sherman’s “I’ll Be Seeing You” and portray Professor Henry Higgins in a chamber production of “My Fair Lady.”
“It’s certainly busy, but honestly, it’s pretty standard for me,” he laughed. “It’s always been nuts.”
Cumming divides his time between his Scottish homeland and homes in New York’s Catskill Mountains and Manhattan. He anticipates spending the coming months in Scotland, balancing work with much-needed rest.
“I make sure to schedule in both fun and, crucially, rest,” he shared.
So, what’s next after the BAFTAs?
Immediately following the ceremony, Cumming, his husband Grant Shaffer, and Lala will embark on an overnight train back to Scotland, lulled by the rhythm of the rails. This brief respite will precede rehearsals for “The High Life,” a new musical based on his 1990s sitcom, set to open with the National Theater of Scotland this spring.
“I love the idea of simply leaving it all behind,” he mused about his London departure. “Then it’s straight back to rehearsals the very next morning.”