Irish actor Andrew Scott is being praised for walking away from an inappropriate BBC interview on the BAFTA red carpet. Scott was speaking to press before the annual awards ceremony kicked off at The Royal Festival Hall in London on February 18.
The award show celebrates the best in cinema, and Scott was primarily answering questions related to his latest film All of Us Strangers. His mood visibly changed when he began fielding questions from interviewer Colin Paterson. The BBC reporter disregarded Scott’s film and instead asked questions that have been described as “deeply homophobic” and “absolutely disgusting” regarding fellow Irishman Barry Keoghan’s role in Saltburn.
The interviewer first asked Scott if he knew Barry well, before asking about his reaction to Barry’s naked dance scene in the film. Scott tried to politely decline to answer, shaking his head and saying, “Okay, well I won’t spoil it for anybody. It’s great,” but this didn’t stop the questions.
Despite Scott showing visible discomfort, Paterson pressed on asking about the scene’s nudity: “There is a lot of talk about prosthetics, how well do you know him?”
Scott shook his head, awkwardly laughed it off, and walked away from Paterson who was laughing at his own question, asking, “Too much? Too much!”
This is frankly disgusting. Andrew Scott is there to support his multiple nominated film and THIS is what you ask? Then when he looks visibly uncomfortable the guy carried on. Truly horrid. #BAFTAs pic.twitter.com/42VEoBXRQi
— Alex Gilston ? GFF 2024 (@PresenterAlex) February 18, 2024
A video clip of the short interview exchange has been viewed over 2 million times on X, and fans were quick to acknowledge the homophobia and disrespect that occurred since Scott almost certainly wouldn’t have been asked these questions if he was straight.
Many have pointed out that there were endless questions the interviewer could have asked regarding All of Us Strangers, in which Scott stars alongside Paul Mescal in a beautiful and heart-wrenching film that deeply resonates with LGBTQ+ audiences. Some have also suggested that the BBC owes Andrew Scott an apology.
There’s is something so deeply homophobic about asking Andrew Scott a gay man this weird ass question about Barry’s scene in Saltburn?? ask him about all of us strangers the BAFTA nominated film he is in… “how well do you know Barry” Andrew deserves an apology from the BBC pic.twitter.com/HpBliJGyHo
— Amber ☽ ?? (@wxlkover) February 18, 2024
While Scott himself was not nominated for a BAFTA, All of Us Strangers received six nominations, including Outstanding British Film, Adapted Screenplay and Casting. It was, however, a disappointing night for the gay romantic fantasy film, as it did not win in any of the categories.
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