Andrew Scott's Elsinore Generates Oscar Buzz with Powerful Performance

Andrew Scott, known for his role as Moriarty in Sherlock, stars as Ian Charleson in the biopic Elsinore, which has garnered critical acclaim and Oscar buzz at the Telluride Film Festival. The film follows Charleson's final months preparing for Hamlet while battling AIDS, with Scott delivering a highly praised performance alongside Olivia Colman. Sherlock alum's new drama movie is becoming an Oscar darling for the upcoming awards season. While the BBC's beloved modernized adaptation made Benedict Cumberbatch a household name, the series was also a breakthrough for Andrew Scott, who portrayed Sherlock Holmes' greatest nemesis James Moriarty. His intense yet mesmerizing performance became a highlight and ultimately won him a BAFTA Television Award for Best Supporting Actor. Since then, Scott has grown into an acclaimed actor whose resume includes Spectre, Fleabag, All of Us Strangers, and Pressure. Now, one of his upcoming movies has garnered plenty of Oscar buzz, particularly for his performance. Close Premiering at the 53rd Telluride Film Festival, Elsinore follows the final months of Ian Charleson's (Scott) life as he prepares for his Hamlet performance while battling his illness from AIDS. With ten reviews tabulated so far, the upcoming biopic has debuted to a strong 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. While the score will fluctuate as more reviews come in, it currently ties with Blue Moon as Scott's seventh-best-rated movie of his career. Critics are unanimous that Scott delivers a performance of a lifetime, showcasing a heartwarming yet courageous portrayal of Charleson. Most reviews emphasized that the biopic finds the right balance of tragedy, grief, and humor, and its deep tribute to the theater community. One main criticism is the execution, with the story being too formulaic compared to the award-level performances. Meanwhile, Oscar-winning actor Olivia Colman, who plays Dr. Margaret Johnson, provides the emotional support opposite Scott's protagonist. Long before the first reviews, the Sherlock alum was already predicted as a strong contender in the Best Actor race. Other potential frontrunners include Primetime's Robert Pattinson, The Odyssey's Matt Damon, and Digger's Tom Cruise. Although Scott has appeared in Oscar-winning movies like 1917, he has yet to be nominated in any acting category. Previously, he generated buzz for his deep performance as Adam in All of Us Strangers and earned Best Actor nominations at the Golden Globes, BAFTA, and Gotham Awards. Unfortunately, he fell short of a nomination at the Academy Awards. Academy Awards nominations won't be announced until January 21, 2027, while the ceremony will take place on March 14, 2027. However, given the strong buzz, Scott may finally get his first Academy Award nomination. Meanwhile, he has a few movies and television projects in the works. The thriller, A Place in Hell, is already in post-production and will be released in April 2027, while Walk the Blue Fields and Fonda are currently being filmed. Simon Stone directed Elsinore, while Stephen Beresford wrote the story. The cast also features Billie Piper, Sadie Soverall, Johnny Glynn, Luke Thompson, and Monica Dolan. Alongside the starring role, Scott also serves as a producer. Elsinore will be released in the United States on November 20, 2026. Elsinore Like Follow Followed Drama History Release Date November 20, 2026 Runtime 104 minutes Director Simon Stone Writers Stephen Beresford Producers Andrea Occhipinti, Andrew Scott, Carolyn Marks Blackwood, Gabrielle Tana, Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon, Stefano Massenzi Cast Powered by Expand Collaps