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Robert Carlyle has signed up to reprise his iconic Trainspotting role as Francis “Franco” Begbie in a TV sequel based on Irvine Welsh’s novel The Blade Artist.

Both Carlyle and Welsh are serving as executive producers on the six-part series, which isn’t yet attached to a network or streaming platform, Deadline reports.

Carlyle first played the psychopathic character in Danny Boyle’s era-defining 1996 film adaptation of Trainspotting. He then played Begbie again in Boyle’s 2017 sequel T2 Trainspotting. 

The Blade Artist will follow a reformed Begbie – now known as Jim Francis – as he returns to Scotland for the funeral of his estranged son. Once back in his motherland, he finds himself confronting his own sketchy past that he thought he had forgotten.

Carlyle said in a statement that the "prospect of working with Irvine and bringing Francis Begbie to life once more is an absolute gift.”

Welsh added: “Begbie is Begbie and Robert is the long-term friend and collaborator who inspirationally brought the character to life with his incendiary portrayal. To say I’m excited at us reuniting creatively on this project is obviously something of an understatement.”

Watch this space for further news on when and where The Blade Artist will make its debut.

Are you excited to see Robert Carlyle as Begbie again?