Andrew Scott Poised for Historic Oscar Duel with Himself
A rule change allows the Irish actor to potentially vie for Best Actor with two different performances.
Andrew Scott is positioned to become the first actor in nearly a century to compete against himself for an Oscar, a feat made possible by a recent rule change in the Academy Awards.
Scott is widely expected to receive a Best Actor nomination for his role in the upcoming film "Elsinore." He has also garnered critical acclaim for his performance in the World War II drama "Pressure," currently in theaters.
The updated rules for the 2027 Academy Awards now permit actors to be nominated in the same category for multiple films, a provision not seen since 1930. This change offers the 49-year-old Irish actor a dual opportunity for Oscar recognition.
In "Pressure," Scott portrays James Stagg, a Scottish meteorologist whose crucial advice to General Eisenhower was instrumental in the success of the D-Day landings. His performance in the film has been described as 'award-worthy' by The Hollywood Reporter and contributes significantly to the film's appeal, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
"Elsinore," scheduled for release in January, features Scott as the late actor Ian Charleson. Charleson notably took on the role of Hamlet at the National Theatre in his final months, stepping in for Daniel Day-Lewis in 1989. Charleson's performances were highly praised before his death in January 1990.
Critics have lauded Scott's work in "Elsinore," with The Guardian calling his performance a 'dead cert' for a Best Actor nod following its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. Entertainment journalist Olivia Fahy noted the strong Oscar buzz for "Elsinore" but emphasized that "Pressure" also features a powerful performance that should not be overlooked.
Scott, who gained widespread recognition as the "hot priest" in "Fleabag," could follow in the footsteps of Cillian Murphy and Jessie Buckley, both Irish actors who won top Oscar awards in recent years. The rule change, which allows for double nominations in lead and supporting categories, harkens back to the 3rd Academy Awards in 1930, when George Arliss was nominated for Best Actor for two separate films, winning for "Disraeli." Norma Shearer also received two Best Actress nominations that year.