Ever since “Trainspotting,” “Angela’s Ashes” and “The Full Monty,” Robert Carlyle has been an actor of note. His latest is a four-part drama about the town of Corby in England that was poisoning the populace without explanation.

And the diffident Carlyle is still amazed by his success. “It’s a different thing for a young American actor to get into the business,” he says.

“As a young Scottish one, it’s a very difficult situation because we think about theater over there; we’re not really thinking about television or film. I started in 1981-82, and suddenly, I’m still doing it. And I’ve been catapulted into this kind of place now and the acceptance of that is actually quite hard because you think, ‘Is this for real? How did this happen? Why did it happen to me? Is it right that it happened to me?’

“All of these questions. You start to doubt yourself slightly, whether you belong or whether you deserve it. Maybe it’s a bit of self-flagellation — I don’t know what it is, but that’s probably the most difficult thing is just trying to accept it. ‘Yeah, it’s OK, you belong here. You deserve to be here.’ ”

“Toxic Town” premieres Feb. 27 on Netflix.

Puchner makes Oprah’s book club: Eric Puchner is a well-regarded fiction writer whose new novel, “Dream State,” tells a story about life’s unexpected and improbable twists.

Weeks before the book’s release Tuesday, Puchner received some surprising news from Oprah Winfrey, who told him that she had chosen “Dream State” for her book club.

“I got a phone call from a number I didn’t recognize,” the author, 54, said. “When the caller said she was Oprah Winfrey, I nearly dropped the phone I was so baffled. I was expecting to talk to my publicist, and at first, I didn’t believe her. But then she started to talk in that inimitable way.”

“Dream State” tells of a love triangle among two old college friends and the woman they have wished to marry. Set mostly in Montana and California, the narrative spans half a century.

Singer Paquita la del Barrio dies: Mexican music legend Paquita la del Barrio, known for her powerful voice and fierce defense of women, died Monday at her home in Veracruz, Mexico. She was 77. Her death, announced on her social media accounts, was confirmed by her representatives. The singer had faced a number of recent health problems.

A two-time Grammy and Latin Grammy nominee, Paquita la del Barrio received recognition from across the industry, including the Billboard Latin Music Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2021.

Dancer Tongolele dies: Yolanda Montez, better known as Tongolele — the iconic American dancer who transformed the nightlife scene in mid-20th century Mexico City with her hip movements to the sound of drums — has died. She was 93.

Mexico’s secretary of culture announced her death Monday on the social media platform X.

Tongolele received the Agustín Lara award in 2012 for her artistic contributions and 65 years on stage.

Feb. 19 birthdays: Singer Smokey Robinson is 85. Guitarist Tony Iommi is 77. Actor Jeff Daniels is 70. Actor Leslie David Baker is 67. Singer Seal is 62. Actor Benicio Del Toro is 58. Actor Bellamy Young is 55. Actor Haylie Duff is 40. Actor Victoria Justice is 32. Actor David Mazouz is 24. Actor Millie Bobby Brown is 21.