Exclusive: Andrew Scott Shares Insights on the Demands of Starring in Netflix's 'Ripley'

Andrew Scott underwent a significant transformation to portray grifter Tom Ripley in Netflix's Ripley, as he discusses in his cover story for Emmy magazine. He mentions that it required a great deal of stamina to take on this role.

In an exclusive preview of Scott's Emmy profile by We, he talks about the challenges of embodying Patricia Highsmith's fictional con man, known from her 1955 novel, The Talented Mr. Ripley. Scott, who is 47 years old, highlights the unique aspect of focusing on one character for an extended period in television, unlike the usual ensemble casts often seen on TV shows.

Scott takes on the lead role in the eight-episode series, which made its debut on Netflix on Thursday, April 4. He plays a con artist struggling to get by in New York City during the early 1960s, alongside Dakota Fanning as Marge Sherwood and Johnny Flynn as Dickie Greenleaf. According to Netflix's official description, Ripley is hired by a wealthy man to go to Italy and persuade his rebellious son to come back home. This job marks the beginning of a complex life filled with lies, scams, and even murder.

In an exclusive behind-the-scenes video from his Emmy shoot, Scott revealed that the most challenging aspect of portraying Ripley was his secretive nature.

andrew scott emmy mag

Art Streiber

Scott expressed that the hero in question is not reliable, making it difficult to determine if he is truthful. Despite his questionable actions, Scott believes there is a vulnerable side to him that reveals his humanity, emphasizing that he is not inherently a killer.

Having been nominated for an Emmy in 2020 for his role in Black Mirror, Scott described Ripley's character development as an epic journey in the series. He pointed out that Ripley's flaws are what make him endearing to viewers.

andrew scott emmy mag

Art Streiber

Highsmith released her debut crime novel, The Talented Mr. Ripley, in 1955. She went on to write four more books featuring the same character. The 1999 film adaptation, starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jude Law, came before Scott's miniseries.

Scott chose not to categorize Ripley as a "sociopath" or serial killer, despite common labels.

During the interview, he emphasized the significance of avoiding hasty judgments when it comes to diagnosing the character. He mentioned that there had been a great deal of speculation surrounding Tom's sexuality and mental well-being. He pointed out that sometimes the act of speculating can be more harmful than the assumptions themselves.

Scott's emmy cover will be released on Saturday, April 13th.

Editor's P/S:

Andrew Scott's transformation into the enigmatic Tom Ripley in Netflix's "Ripley" is a testament to his exceptional acting skills. Scott's portrayal captures the complexity of Highsmith's character, revealing both his manipulative nature and his hidden vulnerability. The actor's focus on the character's secretive nature and questionable actions highlights the challenges of embodying a character who is both alluring and morally ambiguous.

Scott's decision not to label Ripley as a sociopath or serial killer underscores the importance of avoiding hasty judgments. The character's mental well-being and sexuality remain open to interpretation, inviting viewers to engage with the complexities of human nature. Scott's nuanced portrayal of Ripley forces us to confront our own preconceptions and biases, challenging us to look beyond the surface and delve into the depths of a character who is both fascinating and deeply flawed.