'˜Accidental' actress lands role in Outlander TV series

Cellist Seylan Baxter (48) had no idea that she was applying for a leading role as one of the three witches in the Shakespeare tragedy starring Michael Fassbender as Macbeth and Marion Cotillard as Lady Macbeth when she responded to a Facebook advert last year.

The ad simply asked for women with a Scottish accent and experience in Gaelic singing to take part in a film.

Seylan thoroughly enjoyed the experience of acting in Macbeth and decided to audition for more roles.

She’s now landed the role of a French speaking woman who is dying of diabetes in Outlander.

Her scene was filmed in the crypt of Glasgow Cathedral last June.

She said: “That was a great experience and my degree in languages came in handy for that one!”

Seylan was also delighted to get the role of a fortune teller in Tommy’s Honour directed by Jason Connery (Sean Connery’s son) which had its red carpet premiere at the opening night of the Edinburgh Film Festival on June 15.

Unfortunately her scene was cut out of the film but she will still get the credit for it.

Seylan said: “It was a small part but great fun.

“I had tarot cards to read and I was surrounded by some great props including a crystal ball and a bird in a cage.

“The filming was done in the grounds of Lennoxlove House near Haddington - a really fantastic location.”

Seylan also thought she’d try her hand at writing, producing and acting in a short film called ‘Best Man’ which is screening at Xpo North in Inverness. She also composed and performed the music for it.

She won Best Actress at the Raptor Short Film Festival for ‘Best Man’.

Seylan wrote the screenplay as she wanted additional footage for her acting showreel.

She gave herself the lead role, which she says is one of the advantages of writing and producing a film yourself.

Her co-star was a South African actor called Sean Higgs.

Seylan added: “I went to an acting workshop he ran and he really liked my script so I boldy asked him if he’d like to be my leading man and I was thrilled when he agreed.

“We filmed it in and around Dunoon last July. I never planned to do the editing myself but I decided I was probably the only person who would have the patience to do it for no fee so I taught myself how to use the software.

“Given the limitations of the film - a very low budget - I was pleased with the end results.”