Andrew Scott (Moriarty in ‘Sherlock’) comes out as gay, ‘I’m not secretive’

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I’m not expecting anyone but the Cumberbitches and Sherlock-loonies to care about this, but Andrew Scott has totally come out of the closet. Scott played/plays (?) Sherlock’s nemesis, criminal mastermind Jim Moriarty in the first two seasons of Sherlock, and SPOILER he was photographed around the set during filming of the third season too. Scott is actually the first Irish actor to ever play Moriarty, and the Sherlock writers definitely gave him a fun/scary/creepy yet campy vibe. This is a character who listens to The Bee Gees on rooftops before he assassinates people. Anyway, Andrew Scott coming out as gay is not really surprising, but it’s newsworthy. Scott was being interviewed in The Independent, and although he talks a lot about privacy, he does drop the “I am a gay person” in there. Some highlights from the interview:

He’s sassy: “Sometimes talking about acting can be reductive and a bit boring. Of course,” he adds, breaking into a wry, self-mocking grin, “I’m not like that. I’m completely fascinating. Everything I say is a bon mot. It’s epigram after epigram. It’s like sitting with Oscar Wilde… Although I have better hair!”

On being recognized as Moriarty: “Sherlock has changed all our careers, and I’m really pleased about that. It gives you the benefit of the doubt because executives like to see recognisable faces. It was overwhelming to be on a TV show that is quite so popular. That took me totally by surprise. People had an instant affection for it from the first episode. The reaction was extraordinary. People still come up to me in the street all the time, wanting to talk about it.”

On the Sherlock-loonies: “There is this impression that the fans are crazy, but they’re not – they’re very respectful. They don’t overstep the mark. I get a lot of fan mail. Of course, some of it is a bit creepy, but mostly it’s very moving and creative. People send me drawings and their own versions of Sherlock stories. It’s a source of escapism for people and that’s great. I’m an enthusiast for people, and I don’t want them to become the enemy. I’ve seen that happen to colleagues who are disturbed the whole time, but there’s a certain degree of control you can have if you keep yourself to yourself. The kind of actors I admire move through different characters and genres. That’s the kind of actor I try to be. If you want that, you have to be circumspect about your private life.”

Mastering a Russian accent for a new role: “There isn’t a huge amount of footage of Russians speaking English as a second language, so I started looking at Vladimir Putin videos on YouTube. But then Putin introduced anti-gay legislation this summer – so, being a gay person, I switched to Rudolf Nureyev videos instead. It was another Nureyev defection of sorts!”

His sexuality: “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.”

Will he be back for Season 3 of Sherlock? “People ask me that every day. It’s a small price to pay for having been in such a wonderful show,” he teases. But he is forbidden from spilling the beans about Moriarty’s fate in Sherlock even to close family members.

[From The Independent]

Just for the record, we knew you were gay as soon as you said, “Everything I say is a bon mot.” But I do enjoy how matter-of-fact he is about his sexuality, and I love this: “There’s a difference between privacy and secrecy, and I’m not a secretive person.” Amen. There’s a way for “private” actors to come out, to be honest about who they are and Andrew Scott just did it in the best way possible. Lovely.

One thing, though – he does go on and on about how he wants a “varied” career and I get the feeling that although he likes that Sherlock has opened doors for him, he’s really wary of being typecast. If he was an American, maybe that would happen, but I think if he’s just focused on working in England, on TV and on the stage, he’ll get a chance to have a varied career. But he’s never really going to “breakout” like Benedict Cumberbatch. And I don’t think he wants to.

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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30 Responses to “Andrew Scott (Moriarty in ‘Sherlock’) comes out as gay, ‘I’m not secretive’”

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  1. two_seconds_ago says:

    Hasn’t he always been ‘out’? I thought it’s well known he’s gay, at least here in the UK.

    • lenje says:

      I’m curious. I know “coming out” is sorta a big deal in Hollywood, but I thought it’s not such a case in the UK?

      • turningviolet says:

        Honestly, I don’t think anybody really cares in the UK – it’s like the article says, it’s just a fact, and has little relevance to a person’s ability or otherwise as an actor (I speak as someone who lives in England but am happy for others to dispute that view).

        If it wasn’t for all the gossip blogs that I read I would never have realised that homosexuality was quite such the enormous deal that it appears to be in Hollywood – I am forever amazed at the amount of alleged bearding that seems to go on.

      • springingforward says:

        I may get flamed here, but I don’t think people care in the UK because the actors there are so talented, gay or not. You are drawn into their depiction of their character and noone watching thinks of it.
        In Hollywood, the talent level, while there are a few with talent, is so dismal; physical appearance is weighted more heavily.
        Sadly….

    • Myrto says:

      He probably was out to people in his life and in his job. But since he’s not a huge star, nobody knew about it because he had never said the words “I’m gay” publically. I do find that whole concept of “out” a bit silly because it’s not like he was hiding it/was in the closet. Anyway, good for him.

    • Moiselle says:

      Agreed. This didn’t come as any surprise. Why is it even newsworthy? You are gay, you aren’t gay. Who cares? It’s none of my business. I must be living under a rock these days because I did not think it was a big deal anymore to be gay.

  2. Jessiebes says:

    Love him as Moriarty, so deliciously sinister.

    • judyjudy says:

      Moriarty makes me feel physically nervous when he’s on screen. Stellar acting!

      • kri says:

        Ah, today was geat day for beauties of the male type!! Hi sscnes with The Batch were stunning. Honestly, I felt like the actors and their characters were dueling-fabulous! Here in the states some (in Hollywood) seem to think that being gay can be bad for an actor, which is so asinine it makes my eyes roll to the point of temp. blindness. He is so talented and sexy. Love to see more of him.

  3. T.fanty says:

    Fair enough, good for him. He’s back on stage this year, I believe in a new Simon Stephenson play at the Royal Court. He was already an established actor, but it must be nice to be in a show that raises his profile in this way.

    • j.eyre says:

      Jimminey Crickets, I just saw this post (stupid time difference.) I adore him and I very much like his Moriarty (and that is saying a lot since you know Moriarty and TM’s Lady DeWinter are my favorite villains)

      I would love to see him on stage.

  4. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    It’s always nice when someone you find cute and talented also turns out to be intelligent and self aware. Good on him.

  5. Beth says:

    I like him. His birthday video was so funny, look it up if you haven’t seen it.

    I didn’t realize he hadn’t come out. I assumed he was gay all along. I probably shouldn’t speculate or assume about people’s sexuality anyway, but it wasn’t a conscious assumption, at least.

  6. Dorothy#1 says:

    Love him!! I really hope he as a big presence in the new season of Sherlock.

  7. feebee says:

    I wish we could rephrase all this “out” business. This guy doesn’t appear to have been trying to mask anything, so the coming out seems a bit redundant.

    I also wish everyone could see the gay issue as he put it… it’s not a flaw or a virtue or a talent, it’s just a fact. That’s it.

  8. aang says:

    That was just pleasant to read. Smart, funny and real.

  9. malina says:

    Oh. There go my fantasies. 😉

    • LadySlippers says:

      Mine too. *sniff sniff* 😉

      I hate it when cute, smart boys turn out to be gay. *shakes fist at God*

      Oh well.

  10. Evi says:

    He can be whatever he likes. I don’t really like him as Moriarty. Too youngish for the role/character and too OTT in its portrayal. But he is great in many other roles before Sherlock.
    There is no humour in Sherlock. I’ve stopped watching it and prefer Johnny Lee Miller in Elementary. Cumberbatch’s Sherlock is dry in personality, like watching an automaton. Moffat’s scriptwriting is always riddled with convoluted and ridiculous twists [like in Dr Who as well].

  11. Side-Eye says:

    I don’t know how I already knew this, but I did. Either way, whatevs.

  12. June says:

    Sherlock knew.

  13. Gia says:

    Errrr…no clue who this dude is but you could project an IMAX on that forehead. But good for him for coming out. 🙂

  14. Virgilia Coriolanus says:

    Whatevs, he’s still hot.

  15. Gin Princess says:

    Good for him but like others who have posted, I already knew this. I’m sure it’s been mentioned in an article before?