Honestly, if you grew up in the early 2000s, Sunday nights probably sounded like a fiddle-heavy theme tune and looked like the misty, sweeping hills of the Scottish Highlands. I’m talking about Monarch of the Glen. It was the ultimate "comfort watch" before that was even a term. While the scenery was basically a character itself, the Monarch of the Glen cast was the real reason we all kept tuning in. They weren't just actors; they felt like that eccentric extended family you only see at weddings but actually like.
It’s been over twenty years since Archie MacDonald first got dragged back to his crumbling estate, and a lot has changed. Some of the cast went on to massive Hollywood franchises, others became the backbone of British crime drama, and sadly, we've lost a few legends along the way. Let’s get into what happened to the residents of Glenbogle and why their chemistry worked so well.
The Laird Himself: Alastair Mackenzie as Archie
Alastair Mackenzie played Archie MacDonald, the reluctant Laird who just wanted to run a restaurant in London but ended up wrestling with debt and heritage. He had that perfect "stressed but charming" energy. Archie was the anchor. When he left the show in Series 5, it felt like the air went out of the room a little bit, even though the show pushed on.
Since hanging up the tweed, Mackenzie hasn't been sitting idle. You’ve likely seen him recently without even realizing it. He’s popped up in The Crown as Richard Aylard and played Perrin Fertha in the Star Wars series Andor. Talk about a jump from the Highlands to a galaxy far, far away. He also did a stint on Unforgotten and the Danish hit Borgen. It’s cool to see him move from the "romantic lead" pigeonhole into these really meaty, complex character roles.
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The Women Who Ran the Estate
You can't talk about the Monarch of the Glen cast without mentioning the powerhouse women.
- Susan Hampshire (Molly MacDonald): She was the heart of the house. Molly was elegant but surprisingly tough. Hampshire was already a legend before the show, with three Emmys under her belt. Today, she’s mostly retired from acting but remains a huge advocate for dyslexia awareness, something she’s been open about her whole life.
- Dawn Steele (Lexie McTavish/MacDonald): Lexie was a firecracker. The "will-they-won't-they" between her and Archie was the engine of the early seasons. Dawn Steele is basically Scottish royalty now. She went from Glenbogle to Wild at Heart and then spent years as a lead in the medical drama Holby City until it ended in 2022. She’s currently a staple on the Scottish soap River City.
The Legends We Lost: Richard Briers
Richard Briers was already a household name because of The Good Life, but his portrayal of Hector MacDonald—Archie’s eccentric, stubborn, and deeply lovable father—was a masterclass in comedy. Hector’s "death by explosion" in Series 3 (while trying to get rid of a troublesome bog) was one of the most shocking moments in BBC drama history.
Briers passed away in 2013. He left a hole in the British acting world that hasn't really been filled. He brought a sense of whimsical chaos to the Monarch of the Glen cast that gave the show its soul. Whenever you see a repeat of the early episodes, it’s his timing that still stands out. He was just that good.
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The Supporting Players Who Stole Every Scene
Sometimes the side characters are the ones you remember most.
Take Hamish Clark, who played Duncan. He was the bumbling, well-meaning estate handyman. For a while, he was the face of those "Vodafone" commercials, but he’s also stayed active in theater and smaller film roles. Then there's Alexander Morton as Golly, the gruff but wise head ghillie. Morton has such a commanding presence; he’s appeared in everything from Casualty to Luther since the show wrapped.
The New Blood: Paul and Donald
When Archie left, the show needed a new lead. Enter Lloyd Owen as Paul Bowman-MacDonald, the long-lost half-brother. It was a tough transition for fans, but Owen eventually won people over. Most recently, he’s been seen as Elendil in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
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And we have to mention Tom Baker. Yes, the Doctor Who. He joined the Monarch of the Glen cast in the later seasons as Donald MacDonald, Hector's even more eccentric brother. Having Baker wandering around the Highlands with his booming voice was exactly the kind of weirdness the show needed in its twilight years.
Why We Still Care About Glenbogle
It wasn't just a soap opera in the hills. The show dealt with the death of the old world and the struggle to stay relevant in the new one. Plus, the chemistry was genuine. Most of the cast lived together in the Highlands during filming, and you can feel that camaraderie on screen.
If you’re looking to scratch that itch, the filming location, Ardverikie House, is still there. You can actually stay in cottages on the estate. It’s been used for The Crown (standing in for Balmoral) and even the Bond film No Time to Die.
What to Do Next
If you're feeling nostalgic, here is how you can dive back into the world of Glenbogle:
- Re-watch on BritBox: Most of the series is currently streaming there. Seeing the early Archie/Lexie episodes is a great way to remind yourself why you loved the show.
- Follow the Cast’s Current Projects: Check out Andor for Alastair Mackenzie or The Rings of Power for Lloyd Owen. It’s wild to see the MacDonald brothers in massive sci-fi and fantasy epics.
- Visit the Real Glenbogle: If you're ever in the Scottish Highlands, look up the Ardverikie Estate near Kinloch Laggan. Just seeing the turrets of the house against the loch is enough to bring the theme song right back into your head.
The show might be over, but the legacy of the Monarch of the Glen cast lives on in every cozy Sunday night drama that’s tried to replicate its magic since. Honestly, nobody has quite managed to capture that specific Highland feeling yet.