The very talented Mr Scott
Dub Andrew plays role made famous by Matt Damon
MOVE over Matt Damon! Actor Andrew Scott will soon be coming to our screens in a new adaptation of The Talented Mr Ripley, the classic tale of murder and deceit.
The romance of Italy’s sweeping Mediterranean coastline underscores the new series based on the 1955 novel by Patricia Highsmith.
But now Dubliner Scott has stepped into the polished brogues previously worn by Matt Damon in this eight-episode drama, originally dramatised for the cinema by director Anthony Minghella in 1999.
Anyone familiar with the feature-length version will be well versed in Tom Ripley’s trail of treachery after the calculating grifter is employed to travel from New York to Italy in a last ditch bid to convince his employer’s wayward son to return home.
But while living la dolce vita, he is introduced to a life of wealth and privilege beyond his wildest dreams and endeavours to finagle his way into their comfortable lives – with inevitably murderous
‘It was a heavy part to play’
consequences. Set in the 1960s and given a black-and-white sheen, the series has been adapted and directed by Steven Zaillian, with former Holby City star Johnny Flynn playing Dickie – a role previously filled by Jude Law.
Dakota Fanning takes Gwyneth Paltrow’s place as Dickie’s shrewd, suspicious girlfriend Marge Sherwood.
Scott, who also serves as executive producer, told Vanity Fair: ‘It was a heavy part to play. I found it mentally and physically really hard. That’s just the truth of it.
‘I feel like you’re required to love and advocate for your characters, and your job is to go, “Why? What’s that?” You don’t play the opinions, the previous attitudes that people might have about Tom Ripley.
‘You have to throw all those out, try not to listen to them, and go, “Okay, well, I have to have the courage to create our own version and my own understanding of the character.”’
In a statement released after the show was confirmed in 2023, Showtime president of entertainment Gary Levine said: ‘With Andrew Scott, whose charisma knows no bounds, inhabiting the iconic lead role, we feel confident that this will be a special one.’
The casting choice is progressive, as Ripley is a gay character, and Scott has been particularly open about his sexuality. He recently explained his stance on the label to British GQ: ‘You’re never described as openly gay at a party – “This is my openly gay friend Darren,” “She’s openly Irish.” It implies a defiance I don’t feel.’
Scott made an impression as the priest in season two of Fleabag, which earned creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge three Emmy awards.
He’s also had notable roles in Black Mirror, Spectre and Sherlock, in which he starred as Professor James Moriarty alongside Benedict Cumberbatch’s Holmes.
He recently starred in All of Us Strangers with another Irish actor taking the entertainment world by storm – Paul Mescal.
In recent weeks, the BBC has defended its reporter who gave an ‘uncomfortable’ interview with Scott at the Baftas.
The red carpet interview in question quickly went viral as viewers criticised the BBC’s Colin Paterson for repeatedly asking Scott zabout Barry Keoghan’s nude scene in Emerald Fennell’s film, Saltburn.
Despite the Sherlock star appearing embarrassed, Paterson continued: ‘There was a lot of talk about prosthetics. How well do you know him?’ At this, Scott shook his head again and left the conversation, as Paterson asked: ‘Too much?’ The BBC said in a statement online after it caused a furore: ‘Our question to Andrew Scott was meant to be a lighthearted reflection of the discussion around the scene and was not intended to cause offence.
‘Saltburn writer and director, Emerald Fennell, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, whose song Murder on the Dancefloor was used in the sequence, were also asked about the scene.
‘We do, however, accept that the specific question asked to Andrew Scott was misjudged.’ Ripley is available to watch on Netflix from April 4, 2024.