The Talented Mr Scott – Star Of Netflix’s “Ripley” Opens Up About Character Portrayal
Andrew Scott is starring in the Netflix adaption of the 1955 novel The Talented Mr Ripley. In the series, simply titled Ripley, Scott plays the titular Tom Ripley and discusses how portraying this well-known character opens up a line of questions about morality, obsession and human nature.
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Scott is renowned for his roles in Fleabag, Spectre, and All Of Us Strangers and he brings a sense of depth and nuance to his portrayal of Tom Ripley. Based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 novel, the series offers a fresh take on the complex character rather than attempting to be a sequel to the 1999 film.
In an interview with Out, Scott delves into the perception of Ripley as a morally ambiguous figure, pushing back against the label of “evil.”
He explains, “I have a real problem with the word evil. I think that he’s not evil. I think evil is an extremity.” Scott sees Ripley as a multifaceted character, navigating shades of grey rather than embodying pure malevolence.
The actor emphasises Ripley’s humanity, portraying him as flawed and opportunistic, rather than inherently malicious. Scott points out that Ripley’s actions are driven by necessity rather than a desire for bloodshed. He contrasts Ripley with characters like James Moriarty, whom he views as more traditionally villainous.
Reflecting on his approach to portraying Ripley, Scott discusses the challenge of avoiding easy categorisation. He sought to resist diagnosing Ripley’s character traits, leaving room for ambiguity and interpretation. Scott believes that maintaining this sense of mystery adds depth to Ripley’s character, allowing viewers to grapple with unanswered questions.
The series is shot in a noir-sh black and white. The gritty nature of the narrative works and Scott’s talent for subtle-yet-powerful performance punctuates the murky tale.
Joining him in the cast is Johnny Flynn, Dakota Johnson and Maurizio Lombardi.
And In Case You Missed It…
If you finish the limited series and can’t get enough, check out the original 1999 film adaption starring a young Jude Law, Matt Damon and Gwenyth Paltrow.
