# Andrew Scott's shot at history

> At TIFF, Andrew Scott talks about playing a dying actor chasing one last great role, and calls out the bias against gay actors in straight parts.
- Title: Andrew Scott's shot at history · Variety | Shortify
- Summary: At TIFF, Andrew Scott talks about playing a dying actor chasing one last great role, and calls out the bias against gay actors in straight parts. Scott's…
- Keywords: andrew scott, tiff, elsinore, casting, film, entertainment, culture, Andrew, Scott's, shot, history, Variety
- Source: Variety — https://variety.com/2026/film/news/andrew-scott-tiff-elsinore-gay-actors-prejudice-fleabag-1236859840
- Author: Marlow Stern
- Published: 2026-09-12T19:49:51+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: andrew scott, tiff, elsinore, casting, film, entertainment, culture
## Could he make history
Andrew Scott's performance in 'Elsinore' has critics asking whether the Irish actor is about to pull off something no one has before.

> Could Andrew Scott make history?
## Telluride, then Toronto
The film, directed by Simon Stone, premiered at Telluride before heading to the Toronto International Film Festival.
## The man he plays
Scott plays Ian Charleson, a Scottish actor whose career had stalled since 'Chariots of Fire' made his name.
## London, 1989
Daniel Day-Lewis walks offstage mid-run from 'Hamlet' at London's National Theater. Charleson sees the opening and takes it.
## One last great role
AIDS is destroying his body, but Charleson wants the stage anyway, to finally show what he can do as an actor.

> even as his body is being ravaged by AIDS
## The doctor says no
His doctor, played by Olivia Colman, warns him the stress of the role could make his health worse. He goes on anyway.
## Key takeaway

Scott's case is simple: acting is pretending, so judging an actor by who they are off stage is prejudice, not craft.