Trainspotting (film) discussing which chapters of the book would and would not translate into film. Hodge finished the first draft by December. Macdonald secured financing from Channel 4, a British television station known for funding independent films. Pre-production began in April 1995. Ewan McGregor was cast after impressing Boyle and Macdonald with his work on their previous film, "Shallow Grave". According to Boyle, for the role of Renton, they wanted the quality of Michael Caine's character in "Alfie" and Malcolm McDowell's character in "A Clockwork Orange", "repulsive ... with charm "that makes you feel deeply ambiguous about what he's doing." McGregor shaved
Christopher Eccleston Friends in the North". In 2003 he won the RTS Best Actor award for a second time, for his performance in "Flesh and Blood". In July 2004, a poll of industry experts, conducted by "Radio Times" magazine, voted Eccleston the "19th Most Powerful Person in Television Drama." On 2 April 2004, it was announced that Eccleston was to play the ninth incarnation of the Doctor in the revival of the BBC science fiction television series "Doctor Who", which began transmission on 26 March 2005. Eccleston was the first actor to play the role who was born after the series began,