Working as an actor for three decades,Andrew Scottis one of Ireland’s premiere actors, having a variety of roles in movies and TV shows in that time. TheFleabagstar got his acting career started by appearing in the stage playBrighton Beach Memoirsbefore securing his first film role in the 1995 Irish movie,Korea. After appearing in a diverse set of movies and shows through the 90s and 2000s, Andrew Scott’s first big breakout role was inSherlock, the 2010 BBC series based on the famous character.
After that, he added shows likeFleabag,Black Mirror, andHis Dark Materialsto his name, always bringing his best with every performance. On the film side, he appeared inSpectre,1917, andAll of Us Strangers. His most recent role was in Ripley, the Netflixadaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel,The Talented Mr. Ripley. WithWake Up Dead Man, the thirdKnives Outmovie in production, and Richard Linklater’sBlue Moon, there is a lot to look forward to for Andrew Scott going forward.
His Dark Materials
Cast
Based on author Philip Pullman’s beloved novel trilogy, His Dark Materials is a fantasy/drama television series that follows Lyra, a brave young woman from another world. Lyra’s quest to find her kidnapped friend leads her to uncover a sinister plot of a secret organization, encounter extraordinary beings, and protect dangerous secrets. Lyra will find that her life is inextricably linked with another as they discover they may be the ones to change the world.
His Dark Materialsis the three-season HBO adaptation of the trilogy of novels of the same name by Philip Pullman. It’s a spectacular adaptation, telling the story of a young girl named Lyra who attempts to search for her missing friend before stumbling upon a kidnapping plot that relates to an invisible cosmic dust. It’s an incredible fantasy series that brings the stunning source material to life in thrilling fashion, making it a must-watch in Andrew Scott’s filmography.
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While he might not be a main character in the series, Scott is particularly great as Colonel John Parry, a marine and explorer, and is also known as Dr. Stanislaus Grumman or Jopari in Lyra’s world.The character is complex, and Scott navigates his story with nuancegiven the weighty themes that can be explored in the series.
Locke
Locke is a drama film featuring Tom Hardy as Ivan Locke, a dedicated family man and construction manager. Set entirely within the confines of a car, the story unfolds in real-time over the course of a two-hour drive. Directed by Steven Knight, the film explores themes of responsibility, crisis, and personal reckoning as Ivan attempts to navigate complex personal and professional challenges.
Lockefeatures one of the best performances of Tom Hardy’s career, as it revolves around a man named Ivan Locke, a construction manager who drives around conducting a series of phone interviews. What makes Locke special is that Tom Hardy is the only character to appear on-screen, and everyone else (including Andrew Scott) only utilizes their voice during the various phone calls. It’s an intimate film that feels more grand than it might let on, and its unique premise really lets it shine.
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Scott was tasked with voicing Donal, Ivan Locke’s work trainee who needs Locke to coach him through the preparation of a pour. It’s not the most substantial role of his career, but Scott is quite great in it, andhis conversation with Locke is engaging despite being a rather mundane thing to talk about. In fact, it’s aspects like their mundane conversation that makeLockeso appealing.
Ripley
Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith, Ripley is a drama-thriller written and created by Steven Zaillian. Set in the 1960s, the series follows Tom Ripley, who is hired to attempt to coax a wealthy man’s son to come home - but this job is just the first part of a lengthy and dangerous complex web of lies.
Ripleyis Netflix’s fantastic attempt to adapt Patricia Highsmith’s seminal mystery novel, making it the latest adaptation, while also being the first to be a TV series. Because of that, it works incredibly well, really using the extra time it has to flesh out the characters and explore the engaging mystery at hand to its full depth. Of course, it isn’t a one-to-one adaptation, making a number of changes to better suit the medium it is presented in. Still, it’s one of the best takes on the novel and one filled with some spectacular performances.
Both the star and a producer, Andrew Scott excels at playing the enigmatic man at the center of it all, Tom Ripley. It feels like his take on the character is the most monstrous, with him doing some truly insidious acts throughout the series.It’s Scott at his best, and perhaps the greatest interpretation from a character standpoint of Tom Ripley.
Pride
Pride is a biographical comedy directed by Matthew Warchus. Set in 1984, Pride centers on gay activists in the UK who are determined to assist miners during their strike of the National Union of Mineworkers. The film stars Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West, and Patty Considine.
Prideis an effective historical dramedy about LGBTQ+ activists that helped raise money to help families affected by the British miners' strike of 1984. The film is hilarious while still highlighting the similarities and solidarity between various groups of people plagued with different issues. It’s empathetic and touching, while being one of Andrew Scott’s most underrated films, as it feels so real and vulnerable and equally powerful.
It’s empathetic and touching, while being one of Andrew Scott’s most underrated films.
Scott is particularly amazing in the movie, playing Gethin Roberts. He is the partner of Jonathan Blake, the second person diagnosed with HIV in the UK, and was alienated from his village when he came out to them over a decade ago.It’s a powerful performance that packs a dramatic punch that is tragic and beautiful. His performance graciously handles the subject material and is that much better for it.
1917
Set against the backdrop of war-torn France during WWI, 1917 is directed by Sam Mendes and stars George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman as two young British soldiers tasked with delivering a dangerous message to stop an attack that could the lives of thousands of other soldiers at risk. The film uses long takes to make it appear that the entire narrative takes place over the course of two continuous shots. Mark Strong, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch also star.
1917is a harrowing look at two British soldiers, and their mission to carry an important message to call off a doomed attack during World War I. Utterly breathtaking throughout, what really makes1917shine is the way it employs a one-shot technique throughout the whole film, blending any cuts made seamlessly to make it feel like it was all filmed in one massive take. It’s incredibly impressive and mind-blowing from a technical standpoint, but it also can be bleak and heartbreaking at times, showing the horrors of the war at hand.
1917was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won three, including Best Cinematography, which seemed like a no-brainer.
Andrew Scott doesn’t have a massive role in the film, playing Lieutenant Leslie, a worn-down soldier who explains to the two soldiers how to cross no man’s land. While it is a small part,Scott is perfect in his role, portraying a weary, exhausted soldier who embodies the bleak situationwhile giving out possibly life-saving advice in the process.
Black Mirror
Black Mirror is a dystopian anthology series that explores the unsettling and profound impact of modern technology on society. Premiering in 2011, it examines various scenarios where technological advancements intersect with human nature, creating thought-provoking narratives about contemporary and future issues.
Black Mirroris fantastic television, utilizing its anthology approach to tell horrific, sad, and sometimes hopeful stories revolving around near-future technology and humanity’s relationships to it. While some episodes are much better than others, each one feels unique in its own way, with fantastic performances across the board from the plethora of actors that come on board. Over the course of its first six seasons and counting, the tales it weaves are often poignant, effective, and often terrifying.
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Band of Brothers
Band of Brothers is a 2001 HBO miniseries chronicling Easy Company’s experiences from paratrooper training to World War II’s end. It portrays their participation in pivotal battles such as D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, based on Stephen E. Ambrose’s book and first-hand accounts from surviving members.
Created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks,Band of Brothersis one of themost popular HBO shows of all time, and for good reason, since it is also one of the best. Telling the story of Easy Company from their beginnings at boot camp, through to the frontlines of Europe, and into the end of World War II. It’s a masterpiece on every level, as it is exhilarating, gut-wrenching, and incredibly hopeful all at the same time.
Band of Brotherscould easily take the top spot on any list, but given that Andrew Scott is only in one episode of the show, it doesn’t have the same impact on his filmography as something likeSherlock. Still, Scott is magnificent as Private John D. Hall, supplying men of the Easy Company with TNT to thwart an attack, and is killed by a landmine in the process.Even though his role was brief, Scott made the most of it.
All of Us Strangers
All of Us Strangers is a dramatic fantasy romance film by writer-director Andrew Haigh. When Adam meets his neighbor, Harry, his routine is interrupted in what he feels is the best possible way as the two begin to develop a relationship. However, Adam’s mind begins to slip into the past and a journey back home where suddenly his parents are alive - and look no different than they did thirty years prior.
All of Us Strangersis a beautiful and tender fantasy romance film that explores grief through memories of the past. It follows the relationship between a screenwriter and his mysterious neighbor while he draws upon memories of his parents 30 years prior, as if nothing ever happened to them. WhileAll of Us Strangersis bold and creative in its approach, it always chooses to focus on the characters in the middle of the narrative, handling them with grace and giving them depth and complexity.
It always chooses to focus on the characters in the middle of the narrative, handling them with grace and giving them depth and complexity.
All of Us Strangersfeatures a pair of acting masterclasses with Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal. Scott in particular, is mesmerizing as the lonely screenwriter, Adam, who is drawn to Mescal’s Harry.The narrative requires Scott to draw from a variety of emotions, and he does so with ease, making Adam an incredibly complex character who must navigate some life-changing situations.
Sherlock
In this incarnation of Sherlock from creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman assume the roles of Sherlock and Watson as they establish their partnership and begin solving strange mysteries throughout the U.K. and beyond. Set in a more 2010’s modern setting, Sherlock’s eccentric and complex nature is accentuated as he solves seemingly supernatural crimes with unparalleled intellect while struggling to connect with others on a human level. Meanwhile, Watson blogs the stories summarizing their cases while building a strained but caring friendship with his new partner.
At its best,Sherlockis a masterpiece, beautifully telling the story of the iconic character and the various mysteries he attempts to solve throughout the series. Benedict Cumberbatch is a revelation as Sherlock Holmes and the series is a wonderful, modern update to its source material. The chemistry between Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman’s Watson was undeniable and one of the biggest reasons for how good the show truly is.
There is interest in a fifth season ofSherlock, but at the moment there are no immediate plans.
There is a lot to be said about Andrew Scott and his portrayal of Moriarty, the criminal mastermind and foil to Sherlock Holmes. He doesn’t have a significant role until season 2, but he shines in every scene that he is in,portraying the character as dangerous and unpredictable, the perfect antagonist for Sherlock Holmes to face off against. He is one of the show’s best characters, and Scott is a significant reason for that.
Fleabag
Created by and starring Pheobe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag follows its titular main character through her life in modern-day London. After the death of her best friend and the imminent demise of their joint business venture, the show deals with Fleabag’s grief over the loss, her struggle to maintain the business, and her complicated relationships with her immediate family. The show is known for its use of the fourth-wall break and is based on Waller-Bridge’s award-winning one-woman show which debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2013.
It’s hard to overstate just how amazingFleabagis, and it is easy to see that it is the best Andrew Scott role that he has ever had. Starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge as “Fleabag”, the series focuses on the free-spirited woman as she navigates life and love in London while trying her best to cope with a tragedy. What makesFleabagso special is how witty and insightful it is, with fourth wall-breaking humor that provides running commentary to the audience while never overstaying its welcome.
Andrew Scott’s 5-Year-Old Amazon Show With 100% On Rotten Tomatoes Is Magnificent To Watch After Ripley
Andrew Scott shines in the titular role of Netflix’s Ripley show, which is a reminder to watch his 2019 series with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Not appearing until season 2, Andrew Scott plays the priest, whom Fleabag ends up falling in love with.Scott is genuinely hilarious in the role, with a performance full of sarcasm, wit, and a lot of charm.It is easy to see why Fleabag fell for the character, and his performance is a big reason for that. Andrew Scott’s priest is a special character in a very special show.
