08 April 2024 , 11:08
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Andrew Scott has issued some blunt advice to any Fleabag still watching repeats of the hit BBC series.
The actor was asked if he had a message for those who still get emotional five years after the hit show ended. He joked that they need to take some time away from the TV and fill the hours with something more productive - like taking a walk. The 47-year-old Irish star was speaking at the premiere of the new Netflix series Ripley.
He played the Hot Priest in series two of the comedy-drama, which starred Phoebe Waller-Bridge - who plays a no-filter woman navigating life and love in London while trying to cope with tragedy. Andrew is clearly keen to move on and teased that fans still watching should too.
Asked by Entertainment Weekly if he had a message for Fleabag diehards who love binging on the show five years on, he said: “Go out and get some fresh air! Stop crying in your room with the curtains closed. Do something with your life. It’s a great show, we all love it, but come on now! Pull yourself together. Open the curtains and go outside."
The actor has told fans who still watch the show to 'do something better with your life' (BBC/Two Brothers/Luke Varley)Earlier this year Andrew urged the television and film industry to abandon using the term "openly gay" when describing out performers from the LGBTQ+ community. The actor is gay himself and thinks the term is dated. He approached the subject while sitting down to discuss his craft with fellow actors Mark Ruffalo, Colman Domingo and Robert Downey Jr, for a roundtable discussion hosted by The Hollywood Reporter.
Hamlet actor Andrew Scott stops play after audience member spotted on laptop
He was asked if his career had been impacted by the fact he is described as “openly gay” and he seized the opportunity to redefine the boundaries of the TV and film industry. Andre said: “I’m gonna make a pitch for getting rid of the expression openly gay. Hear me out.
“It’s an expression that we actually only ever hear in the media. You’re never at a party and you say ‘this is my openly gay friend’. Why do we put openly in front of that adjective? We don’t say ‘you’re openly Irish.’ You don’t say ‘you’re openly left handed.’ There’s something in it. That’s a little near (the word) shamelessly.”
He continued: “I’d nearly prefer shamelessly. Sometimes I just feel like if you’ve got to say it to understand it just say ‘out’ possibly or, you know what, sometimes don’t say anything at all.” He went on: “I think it’s just time to park it. And I think that’s the strange thing… representation is a wonderful thing. But you know, we’re talking an awful lot here about transformation. Representation and transformation. And look, I wouldn’t be here if representation hadn’t improved, but I do think transformation is very important for actors.”
Andrew previously opened up about his own sexuality during an interview with The Independent back in 2013. He had explained that he listened to speeches by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in order to hone his Russian accent for a role. However, when Putin introduced crippling anti-gay legislation in Russia at the time of his character investigating, Andrew ditched listening to the dictator in favour of listening to ballot dancer Rudolf Nureyev.
Then addressing his sexuality, Andrew explained: “Mercifully, these days people don't see being gay as a character flaw. But nor is it a virtue, like kindness. Or a talent, like playing the banjo. It's just a fact. Of course, it's part of my make-up, but I don't want to trade on it. I am a private person; I think that's important if you're an actor. But there's a difference between privacy and secrecy, and I'm not a secretive person. Really I just want to get on with my job, which is to pretend to be lots of different people. Simple as that.”