Irish actor Andrew Scott had a cheeky message for fans still obsessed with his former "Hot Priest" character from the British comedy series Fleabag.
Get over it.
The 47-year-old BAFTA winner currently stars in the Netflix series Ripley, based on Patricia Highsmith's 1955 crime novel The Talented Mr. Ripley, which also inspired the 1999 movie of the same name starring Matt Damon as the titular character.
Scott first turned heads after his TV breakthrough as Jim Moriarty in the drama series Sherlock starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
He received critical acclaim for an Emmy-nominated performance in a season 5 episode of the anthology series Black Mirror, and for his Golden Globe-nominated performance starring opposite Paul Mescal in the heartbreakingly devastating LGBTQ drama film All of Us Strangers.
But the character fans were hung up on most was the object of Phoebe Waller-Bridge's desire in her comedy-drama TV series, Fleabag.
The show was adapted from Waller-Bridge's 2013 Edinburgh Festival Fringe one-woman play of the same name.
In the second season of Fleabag, which aired in 2019, Scott played a fictional clergyman credited as "The Priest." But after fans became transfixed by his affable charm and sexy energy, he became known as "Hot Priest."
Here's a taste of what made the hearts of Fleabag fans flutter.
Hot Priest Moments That Had Us On Our Knees | Fleabagyoutu.be
During a premiere for Ripley, Scott addressed the "Hot Priest" obsession that fans can't seem to shake off after five years after the character's debut.
He told Entertainment Weekly while laughing:
“Go out and get some fresh air. Stop watching. Stop crying.”
“Stop crying in your room with your curtains closed. Do something better with your life.”
You can watch a clip here.
He acknowledged having a good run with his six-episode appearance in Fleabag but encouraged fans to move on.
“It’s a great show, we all love it, but come on now," he said, adding:
"Pull yourself together. Open the curtains and go outside.”
Fans got the message loud and clear.
Of course, there was some resistance.
A real fan here spoke the truth.
Previously at a premiere appearance of All of Us Strangers, Scott commented on still being identified as his Fleabag character.
He told People magazine:
"I think it's great. It hasn't prevented me from spreading my wings and it was such a wonderful character and there's much worse things to be called in life."
Ripley, which began streaming on Netflix last week, is already being hailed as the next must-binge series.
The film-noir-inspired homoerotic thriller co-stars Dakota Fanning, Johnny Flynn, and John Malkovich, who also happened to star as the titular anti-hero in 2002's Ripley's Game.
Critics have praised Scott's portrayal of the literary con artist and serial killer. One reviewer called his take on the character "mesmerizing," while another described Scott as "reptilian" for "holding the screen hostage."
You can watch a trailer for Ripley, here.
Ripley | Official Trailer | Netflixyoutu.be
Move over, Hot Priest.
It looks like ultimate sinner Tom Ripley is here to stay.
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