Andrew Scott says being gay is the ‘greatest joy’ of his life
Andrew Scott claims being gay is the ‘greatest joy’ of his life. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty)
Olivier Award-winning actor Andrew Scott has said there is no greater joy in his life than being gay.
Speaking to Variety about his role in Netflix series Ripley, based on Patricia Highsmithās novels, the star repeated his claim that āopenly gayā is an outdated term.
“It’s wonderful to be able to talk about sexuality in an open way,” he said, “but I do feel sometimes, other people ā I mean straight people ā donāt have to explain or talk about their sexuality every time they go to work.”
He explained that the term “openly gay” is “a little loaded”, adding: “The idea that Iām being defiant by just being exactly who I am… why wouldnāt you be open about it?”
Speaking about the media stories surrounding his most recent films, including moving gay drama All Of Us Strangers, he went on to say: “Sometimes I find it hard when youāre doing press, because I feel so joyful and so emancipated. It seems like I always want to talk about the difficulties I have with being gay, when, actually, itās the greatest joy of my life.
“What is the best thing that we could do? I donāt have the definite answer. Would it be unusual for us not to mention my sexuality at all?”
The Pride and Sherlock star also spoke about his latest role, saying he didn’t want to define Tom Ripley’s sexuality too much, adding that it doesn’t seem “truthful” to stick rigidly to creating gay content for gay audiences.
“I didnāt want to diagnose him with anything in particular. I donāt think he would be comfortable in a gay bar or a straight bar. I think his sexuality is elusive to him.ā
He added: “A lot of this stuff has really affected me growing up. I didnāt have a lot of gay content.
“We live in an identity-politics era. Weāre separating [one another] more than we need to. This hysteria about your sexuality and how that is something that is only understandable to people who belong to the same tribe as you, it just doesnāt seem truthful.”
Scott, who played the “hot priest” in Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag, said that “of course” he’d return to the role if she was to make a third season. “But sheās not going to,” he added.
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