Eleven million have seen me act. But no one knows my name
Actress welcomes tourists to Scotland
Carina Birrell might be Scotland’s bestknown actress having been watched by an audience of more than 11million in just one year.
But the 26-year- old is not the star of a Hollywood blockbuster or a hit TV drama – she takes centre stage welcoming travellers to Glasgow Airport.
Carina, of Carmunnock, Gl a s gow, i s Hol l y the Hologram – the motionactivated virtual assistant who gives security advice to travellers at the airport.
Since being introduced into the departure and arrival hal ls last May, she has delivered her message to mi l l ions of passengers, making Carina the nation’s most-seen actor.
The former Mearns Castle pupil , who has starred in a host of movies and was last year named best actress at the British Horror Film Festival, finds it h i lar ious that, of all her projects, this is the one for which she is best known.
She said: “It’s ironic that one of the smallest and quirkiest jobs I’ve done is the one that everyone remembers.
“I am constantly getting photos, texts and tweets from friends and family saying they have just bumped into me at the airport. It seems to have gained cult status.”
Carina, who has been tipped by Bafta as one to watch, is in Los Angeles shooting a feature film.
She said: “I never told my mum and dad I had a starring role at the airport so, when they set off on holiday last year, they got the shock of their lives when I popped up and started talking to them.
“I only met myself for the first time a couple of weeks ago and it was quite a surreal experience. It made me laugh and I had to pose for a selfie.”
Carina, who splits her time between the US and Bath, where she lives on a converted Fife passenger ferry, has become one of the airport’s most popular installations.
Brian McClean, head of communications at Glasgow Airport, said: “She has been affectionately dubbed Holly the Hologram and she has proved popular with our passengers, particularly the younger ones.
“She gives advice before and within the security search area and in international arrivals before passport control. It is not unusual to see people posing for selfies with Holly.
“Almost 11million people have had the opportunity to see Holly since she joined the team and her voice offers a warm welcome and fond farewell to every one.”
Carina, who studied at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London, is known for her role in horror film Wandering Rose.
She has also starred in gangster movie Jack Said with Danny Dyer and BBC dramas Lip Service and Sea of Souls.
Carina, whose partner is wildlife film-maker Charlie Nash, regularly comes back to Scotland, where she is making a BBC documentary about her grandfather Harry Birrell.
She said: “In the 1950s, my grandfather built his own movie theatre in his house in Giffnock. He made more than 400 films. He was quite a guy.
“He died when I was 11 so he never got to see me become an actor and producer. I know he would be very proud.
“I love being in the f ilm business and know I wi l l look back with a smile when I think of my first virtual role as Holly.”
It’s ironic that one of the smallest jobs I’ve done is the one everyone talks about