Sir Gary Oldman has expressed his gratitude after being named the recipient of the global icon award at the Edinburgh TV Festival, describing the honour as “enormously flattering” and “faintly alarming.” The 68-year-old actor, best known for his role in the Apple TV+ spy series Slow Horses, will receive the award at the festival, which runs from August 25 to 28 in Edinburgh.
Oldman's Reaction to the Award
In a statement, Sir Gary said: “My heartfelt thanks to the Edinburgh TV Festival for this generous honour. To receive an award bearing the title global icon is both enormously flattering and faintly alarming. In all seriousness, I am touched by this generosity and thankful to all those whose creativity, trust, and collaboration have shaped my journey. My warmest thanks to the festival, and I very much look forward to being with you in Edinburgh.”
Festival Appearance and Career Highlights
Alongside receiving the award, the London-born actor will take part in an on-stage conversation with radio presenter Edith Bowman. Oldman has starred in five seasons of Slow Horses and is set to appear in the sixth season, which premieres on September 16. His career spans decades, with iconic roles including Sirius Black in the Harry Potter films, Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour—for which he won an Academy Award and a Bafta in 2018—and Sid Vicious in Sid and Nancy. He was also nominated for an Oscar and a Bafta for his portrayal of George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011). Other notable films include JFK (1991), Léon: The Professional (1994), and The Fifth Element (1997).
