California Schemin’ (2026)
Get rich or try lying.
Director: James McAvoy · Writer: Archie Thomson
After being ridiculed for their Scottish accents, two ambitious musicians reinvent themselves as American rappers and fool the British music industry into a lucrative record deal, only for their elaborate lie to unravel under the weight of instant fame.
Where to watch
Fandango At Home
Trailer
Director
Cast
Séamus McLean Ross
Gavin Bain 
Samuel Bottomley
Billy Boyd 
Lucy Halliday
Mary Boyd 
Rebekah Murrell
Tessa 
James McAvoy
Anthony 
Jennifer Winn
Hayley 
David Witts
Jez Barton 
Sonny Poon Tip
Simon 
Amber Anderson
Amy 
Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong
Bouncer
Nick Preston
Craig 
James Harkness
Graham User Reviews (1)
Based very loosely on a true story (or lie!), this tells the story of two Dundonian rappers - Gavin (Séamus McLean Ross) and Billy (Samuel Bottomley) - as they strive to escape the mundanity of their call-centre jobs and take their own earthy brand of street-poetry to an unreceptive music industry. They have tried all of the traditional methods of getting noticed, but it is now at the point where even record company receptionists are hanging up on them. That is when they hit on a idea. Why not pretend they are from California? How hard can it be? Well their first go doesn't get them very far, but when they read an ad in the paper they determine to get their backstories straight and try again. Before they know it, 'Silibil 'n Brains' have blagged their way onto a London stage where the are spotted by scout 'Tessa' (Rebekah Murrell). She gets them an interview with her big boss (James McA…
