By Joanna Orland at TIFF 2026
With the standout performance of the year in Elsinore, Andrew Scott has already made quite an impression at this year’s TIFF, as well as throughout his entire career. From Moriarty in Sherlock to the “hot priest” in Fleabag, he never fails to give a charismatic and memorable performance. In Conversation With… Andrew Scott brought the actor to the stage to discuss his work, his methodology, and his most challenging work to date with Elsinore.
Andrew Scott Made Quite an Impression on ‘Sherlock’ and ‘Fleabag’
When Andrew Scott first took on the role of Moriarty on the BBC’s Sherlock series starring Benedict Cumberbatch, he wasn’t worried about canon or previous iterations of the character. What he did worry about was the less than positive feedback he received for his portrayal, which spread across the Internet like a hateful storm. He worried he would be fired for how negative the reception was to his Moriarty, but he weathered the storm, and it became one of the most iconic portrayals to date of Sherlock’s nemesis.
After his villainous role on Sherlock, Andrew didn’t want to be typecast, and was drawn to his role on Fleabag because he loved the idea that it was a romantic love interest. He had an immediate affinity with Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and their chemistry played into the character’s appeal. Unlike with his initial run as Moriarty, the Internet became obsessed with his priest character, dubbing him the “hot priest” forever more. Andrew seems slightly coy about the moniker, but embraces it in good spirits, as the role is one of his best and most beloved.
‘All of Us Strangers’ and ‘Ripley’ Were More Intimate Roles
Andrew has had a number of standout roles over the years, but recently he broke through with Andrew Haigh’s film All of Us Strangers and the television series Ripley. He delved into the production of All of Us Strangers and how Haigh made it from a very personal place – he even filmed the family scenes at his childhood home, laying bare his soul for the cast and crew. Andrew wanted to open up and bring himself into the work as well, opting to dress in his own clothes for his scenes, to bring a personal touch where he could.
With Ripley, Andrew also tried to add personal flourishes to bring the character to life. As it was a very cinematography-focused work, he found a technique to help break through the pretty pictures. He decided that his character of Tom Ripley would fall in love with things, such as a ring he stole or whatever object he was enamoured with in the moment. These small details and little touches are felt when one watches Ripley, but to hear the actor put them into context is fascinating.
Andrew Scott Does Not Underestimate the Audience
Throughout the discussion about his career and the type of work he takes on, the actor kept coming back to the same point — we should not be underestimating the audience’s intelligence. As he’s moved on from queer typecasting, he feels the audience has as well, as he takes on roles regardless of sexuality.
Andrew still manages a number of interesting queer roles, without pigeonholing himself into certain types of casting. One of the overlooked but wonderful roles he’s had in his career is in the film Pride. According to him, it was a particularly good role because with a large gay ensemble, there wasn’t a token gay character in the film – he could play the more human elements of the character rather than be a generalized stereotype. The film is also a beautiful story of how everyone can get along because we’re actually not all so different.
‘Hamlet’ and ‘Elsinore’
With Elsinore, Andrew Scott delivers his most powerful performance to date with the true story of Ian Charleson. Andrew plays Ian in his final years as he’s dying of AIDS, overcoming immense physical challenges to perform Hamlet at London’s National Theatre. As Andrew plays Ian playing Hamlet, he delves into layers upon layers of the performance.
Having played Hamlet on stage 150 times himself, Andrew had to unlearn the soliloquies he knew so well only to relearn them as Ian Charleson, getting into his mindset to understand how he would interpret the text. It radiates through his performance, in an electrifying climax as Ian Charleson’s final days unfold.
For Andrew, Elsinore was a very personal project, and not just because he’s the producer and star. As mentioned, he himself has played Hamlet 150 times on stage, and had a personal interest in the story of a gay actor getting a high-profile role before it was acceptable in the mainstream. Theatre has always been a more accepting environment, and Andrew himself has done much work in the medium.
Andrew Scott has a huge passion for acting and for working actors. To bring the story of Elsinore to life, Andrew enlisted some of his most trusted friends and fellow actors, primarily those he’s worked with before, including Olivia Colman and Johnny Flynn. They support his vulnerable performance beautifully, uplifting him to new heights as an actor.
While In Conversation With… Andrew Scott was a reminder of all the great work he’s done in his career, it was also a telling indication that there will be much more to come from this wonderful talent.
–
PHOTO GALLERY:
