Scottish actress Gayle Rankin, accustomed to rubbing shoulders with famous actors and walking red carpets worldwide, recently took time out to work with an altogether different cast of performers. The Paisley-born star, known for her role in The Greatest Showman, helped stage a drama workshop for inmates at the notorious Huntsville Unit in Texas.
Workshop Details
Rankin, 36, collaborated with fellow actress Kerry Bishe to coach 12 inmates in a production of 12 Angry Men. The courtroom drama, which follows a 16-year-old boy facing the death penalty for allegedly murdering his father, encouraged prisoners to explore their own predicaments. Rankin reportedly immersed herself in her mentoring role, even performing alongside the inmates.
Charity Initiative
The project was part of an initiative run by the charity Cool Hand Series, which 'brings the power of theatre to prisons' through workshops, film screenings, and discussions with movie stars. The non-profit praised Rankin for 'offering her soul and humanity without hesitation'.
Inmate Reactions
Relatives of the prisoners used social media to thank the actors. One inmate's sister wrote: 'Thank you so much for doing this for my brother. He had the best experience of his life. He was so happy to tell me about it and really appreciated you guys.' Rankin replied: 'We loved meeting and working with him. We certainly haven't forgotten him.'
Previous Prison Work
The workshop came after Rankin attended a screening of King Hamlet with Star Wars actor Oscar Isaac at Fishkill Correctional Facility in New York. Cool Hand Series noted that Rankin and Isaac were 'so kind, generous, and funny' and 'gave so much love to the men in that room'.
Full Circle Moment
The prison role was a full circle moment for Rankin, who made her American acting debut in an episode of Law and Order in 2012. She also visited Fishkill Correctional Facility with filmmaker Elvira Lind.
Broader Impact
Rankin is not the first Hollywood star to take the stage in an American jail. Black Panther star Daniel Kaluuya and Hamilton actor Daveed Diggs are among a string of A-listers who have teamed up with Cool Hand Series to bring the arts to imprisoned individuals. The 'industry titans' arrange viewings of their movies for prisoners, followed by discussions about crime, trauma, and incarceration in the US.
Cool Hand Series stressed: 'Our goal, along with bringing art and entertainment to prisons, is to change not only who gets to tell what stories and why, but who stories are told for.'
