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Charlie Cox in Legacy || Charlie Cox's filmography

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'Sherlock has changed my whole career': Andrew Scott interview

Moriarty made Andrew Scott's name. Now he's playing a raft of leading roles on television, film and stage

'At the start of our interview, Andrew Scott and I are squeezing into a booth in the restaurant at the British Film Institute. It is very similar to the one occupied by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan's characters in When Harry Met Sally. Quick as a flash, the actor smiles at me and says, “I'll have what she's having.”

Scott goes on to remark that he often dreads reading interviews with actors and hopes this won't be another that he recoils from. “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!”

Witty. Mischievous. Charming.

These are precisely the qualities that catapulted Scott to stardom as Moriarty in BBC1's worldwide hit drama, Sherlock. People were already talking about him as a striking new talent after his first brief, if completely scene-stealing, 10-minute appearance in Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss's compelling modern-day reworking of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic detective stories.

His performance as Holmes's dastardly foe – by turns mesmerising and menacing – won Scott the best supporting actor Bafta award last year, beating his co-star Martin Freeman (who plays John Watson in Sherlock) in the process.

It was not exactly an overnight success for Scott – the 37-year-old Irishman had for many years been turning in very creditable, if not such conspicuous performances in dramas such as Lennon Naked (in which he gave a memorable Paul McCartney opposite Christopher Ecclestone's John Lennon), The Hour, John Adams and Band of Brothers.

But Moriarty, who appeared to come to a sticky end at the end of the last series on Sherlock, transformed Scott's profile. Moriarty is the archetypal baddie who has all the best lines, and his popularity meant that the actor was soon being offered leading roles in ITV1 dramas such as The Town and The Scapegoat.

Scott, who was raised in Dublin, where his father worked in an employment agency and his mother was an art teacher, has the volume turned down in real life and has no need to turn the dial up to 11 in the way that Moriarty does. But you can see that he still possesses the same razor-sharp instincts as Sherlock's arch-enemy.

The actor is the first to acknowledge that playing the role of Moriarty has moved his career up several notches. Picking at a croissant, he reflects that: “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.”

Sherlock fans are known as some of the most passionate in the business, but Scott says they are generally delightful. “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.”

Scott thinks the character made such an impact because, “Moriarty came as a real surprise to people”. He adds: “He doesn't have to do the conventional villain thing. He is witty, and people like that. He is also a proper match for Sherlock. He's very mercurial, too. I have since been offered to play a lot of different characters, and that's because Moriarty is a lot of different characters. He changes all the time.”

The next legacy of the “Sherlock Effect” is that Scott is starring in a one-off BBC2 drama entitled Legacy. An adaptation by Paula Milne of Alan Judd's bestselling 2001 espionage novel, this is an absorbing contribution to the BBC's “Cold War” season. In this film, set at the height of the conflict between the UK and the USSR in 1974, which goes out on Thursday 28 November, Scott plays Viktor Koslov, a KGB spy.

Charles Thoroughgood (Charlie Cox), a trainee MI6 agent, tries to reconnect with Viktor, an old friend from their Oxford days, in an attempt to “turn” him. However, Victor adroitly turns the tables on Charles with a shocking revelation about the British spy's family. Deliberately shot in Stygian gloom, Legacy captures the murky world of the secret services where cynicism and duplicity are part of the job description. Its tagline could well have been: “Trust no one.”

The film convincingly conjures up the drabness of the 1970s, all three-day weeks, petrol rationing and power cuts. Scott says: “Characters in those days called from phone boxes – whoever does that now? The film fits the era. It has a melancholic tone. It's very brown and downbeat.”

Scott particularly enjoyed playing the ambiguity of Viktor's character. “I like the idea that you don't know who he is. It's important that you feel for Viktor and his predicament. You have to feel he's a human being with a family. But both he and Charles are elusive figures – it's not clear whose side they're on. It's not at all black-and-white, and that's why the film is so shadowy.”

The actor boasts a terrific Russian accent in Legacy. Where did it come from? “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!”

Scott is low-key on the subject of 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.”

Scott is very much getting on with the job at present. He has many intriguing projects in the pipeline, including starring in Jimmy's Hall, the new Ken Loach movie about a political activist expelled from Ireland during the “Red Scare” of the 1930s. He is also appearing with Tom Hardy and Ruth Wilson in Locke, a film about a man whose life is falling apart, and in The Stag, a movie about a stag weekend that goes horribly wrong. In addition, he is headlining alongside Bill Nighy, Dominic West and Imelda Staunton in Matthew Warchus's movie Pride, a true story about an alliance between the mine workers and the lesbian and gay community during the 1984 miners' strike.

If he can possibly find any spare time, Scott is also open to comedy offers. “Everything in life has to have an element of comedy about it. I did Design for Living at the Old Vic in 2010 – Noël Coward was a master of comedy. The audience were convulsing every night. It's such a joyous feeling to hold a pause and wait for the laughter. There is no better high. Forget about drugs!”

But despite the fact that producers are now cold-calling him like overeager mis-sold PPI salesmen, Scott won't be rushing into the first role he's offered. One positive by-product of his success is his ability to be choosy about what he does. He observes: “You have to be brave to turn things down, but there is a certain power to that. I've had offers to do more regular TV series, but I don't regret rejecting them. If money and fame are not your goals, then it becomes easier. American agents use the expression, 'this could be a game-changer'. The implication is that you want the game to change. But I don't. I don't have a plan. I like unpredictability and randomness.

“People get distracted by box-office figures and take jobs because they think it will advance their careers. Of course, it's nice to get a big cheque and be able to buy a massive house, but my view is that we're not here long, so why not do something of value?”

So Scott is very happy with where he's at. “To do all these different things is a dream for me. My idea of a successful actor is not the most recognisable or the richest – it's someone who is able to do a huge amount of different stuff. I don't want to be known for just one thing.”

It's true that Scott is now broadening his career far beyond Moriarty. But I can't resist one final question on the subject: Is there any chance that Moriarty will, like his nemesis, be making a Lazarus-like comeback in the new series of Sherlock? Scott has, after all, been photographed filming scenes for the upcoming third season.

“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.

So has Moriarty played one more dastardly trick on us by faking his own suicide? Or are the scenes the actor has been shooting merely flashbacks? Scott could tell us, but then – like some ruthless Cold War spy – he would have to kill us...'

[unsaltedsinner]

The trial of the Duke of Denver.

[loveinthetimeofwarww2]

The Exception romantic war drama film directed by David Leveaux (in his directorial debut) and written by Simon Burke, based on the 2003 novel The Kaiser's Last Kiss by Alan Judd. 

 Mieke de Jong  and Captain Stefan Brandt

[yestolerancepro]

Tolerance blog extra Have wheels will travel in time and space

Introduction

Hello there I am writing this in the run up to Christmas 2023 if you’re a Doctor who fan like me there has been a lot to enjoy this year. With it being the Doctors 60th birthday the return of David Tennant playing the 14th Doctor, and the birth of the 15th Doctor played by Ncuti Gatwa who made his full début as the Doctor last Christmas.

This blog is not about that though this blog is about the debut of UNITs 54th scientific adviser Shirley Bingham played by Ruth Madeley who featured in both the Star Beast and The Giggle

Welcome to the newest member of UNITs finest

Ruth has quite rightly been given alot of praise for her performance as Shirley Bingham but she has also been helped by a wonderful script by Russell T Davis I love the fact that her wheelchair is armed to the teeth with missiles and Tranquilliser darts what disabled child what not love that.

In the last ten minutes of the 3rd 60th Anniversary story The Giggle The Doctor David Tennant revealed something new to his TARDIS.A ramp making the time and space machine fully accessible to everybody which means we could see Shirley Bingham jet off into time and Space I for one would love to see that.

 Ruth Madeley has said the new accessible ramp on the TARDIS “for every disabled kid”.

On X, formerly Twitter, Madeley,  who has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, posted a photo of herself next to a ramp leading into the TARDIS which is shaped like a traditional blue police phone box and is usually raised slightly from the ground.

Madeley, who stars as scientific advisor Shirley Anne Bingham on the show, says to Tennant’s Doctor: “At last, you’ve finally caught up with the 21st century.”  

Having a disabled character in Doctor who appeared earlier than you think

This is not the first time that the programme has dealt with the issue of disability the series first featured a disabled character as early as 1965 in the story Dalek invasion of Earth. Where actor Alan Judd played wheelchair user Dortman its not explained in the story weather his use of a wheelchair is a result of a disability or injuries he received from the Daleks regardless he gives strong performance.

The first disabled actor to appear in Doctor who was  actor Graham Leeman who suffered with MS he appeared in 17 episodes of Doctor who playing various parts between 1967-1973.

Casting on Doctor who with Andy Pryor

Ruth Madeley’s appearance in Doctor who is still a game changer it has been coming in an interview with Entertainment website Digital spy Andy Pryor Doctor who casting director was looking to hire more disabled actors

Andy Pryor has worked with every Doctor Who showrunner since Davies initially rebooted Doctor Who in 2005, the show is gearing up for its biggest shake-up in a decade with the 60th anniversary.

Speaking to The Radio Times, Pryor mentioned that Doctor Who should be leading the way on disability representation because its stories aren't limited to one place, one planet or even one universe.

"I like to cast as inclusively as possible," he said. "It's more interesting. Also, if you can't cast diversely on Doctor Who, what show can you do it on?"

The casting director went on: "It goes everywhere, on this planet and others, and you don't want to see the same kind of people all the time. You don't want it to be exclusively middle-class white people speaking with RP accents."

Pryor acknowledged that "there's always more we can do", especially in terms of presenting disabled actors in roles where disability doesn't define their character.

"Certainly, there's absolutely no excuse to not cast a disabled actor in a disabled role nowadays," he said. "Also, we're trying to cast disabled people in roles that aren't necessarily written as disabled.

"We don't always want disabled casting to be 'issue' casting. So our horizons are widening. I want to see more disabled people on screen."

The most recent casting of a disabled actor in the series has been Nadia Albina, playing Dan Lewis's friend Diane throughout the Flux miniseries and the recent specials.

So Ruth’s casting as Shirley would seem to be the full flowering of this process to get more disabled people on television

To learn why Ruth Madeley casting is so exciting this article from the Radio times says it all .

Ruth Madeley The Actor

Madeley’s performances throughout her career reveal a simple truth: being disabled is not a shorthand for pitiable. Whether a disabled mother fighting to keep her newborn child or a pioneering disability rights campaigner, her characters all have one tie that connects them – they are ordinary, 3D disabled women.They're the sort of women seldom seen on screen who remain ever-present in our communities, our vibrant histories and our culture.We are the generation with the vision to want progress, who knew things could be better but didn’t see it in the media growing up. Now we are witnessing disabled people in the media whose voices are ringing loud and clear for change – who keep pushing on.We didn’t see disability representation as children or teenagers, but the next generation will.

They're the sort of women seldom seen on screen who remain ever-present in our communities, our vibrant histories and our culture.We are the generation with the vision to want progress, who knew things could be better but didn’t see it in the media growing up. Now we are witnessing disabled people in the media whose voices are ringing loud and clear for change – who keep pushing on.We didn’t see disability representation as children or teenagers, but the next generation will.There’s a refusal to be confined by the stereotypes that have littered our history. A refusal to accept discrimination or received wisdom about what it means to be disabled and the way they are fighting to replace limiting notions with something so much more humanly compelling, relatable, and authentic.We don’t know anything yet about Shirley Anne Bingham – but a generation of disabled viewers know how she should be handled

Ruth Madeley The Actor What Dr who fans think Ruth will bring to the show

.As Dr Kirsty Liddiard from the University of Sheffield states: “It’s brilliant to see the wonderful Ruth Madeley join Doctor Who – a disabled woman actor in a primetime role is, sadly, still a rarity.

"She brings her own lived experience to the role, which is crucial towards countering tokenism and offering audiences accurate portrayals of disability.”

It is important to channel lived experiences and the unique hopes and fears of a disabled person. Their motivations and methods are undoubtedly too nuanced and complex to learn or teach.

“Cripping up” – the term commonly used to describe actors without a disability mimicking the characteristics of specific conditions to play disabled characters – is unjust and negates the impact of the disabled experience: being ostracised, othered and maligned.

This sentiment is echoed by Rachel Charlton-Dailey, a disabled Doctor Who fan, who believes that Madeley’s passion for telling meaningful stories will be reflected in her new role as she hopes to give new generations a role model who has an insight into their reality.

“Ruth is such a fierce advocate for disability rights and the portrayal in film and TV, I think this is going to be done exceptionally well," she says. "The authenticity and importance of having people from all walks of life shines through when it’s done well."

As Shalida A Askanazi, another disabled Whovian, observes, we still want to be portrayed respectfully: “It’s so important to have a disabled character on a popular show. Because there remains so much stigma around what it is to be disabled.

She points to statements she often receives: “I don’t think of you as being disabled.” It’s a limited view of what it is to be disabled. A mainstream disabled character has the potential to dispel harmful myths which continue to linger.

“It’ll show that disabled people aren’t just tucked away. We’re real people doing real things." Concluding thoughtfully, Shalida adds there needs to be a balance of quiet acknowledgement “without turning each episode into an ableism fest”.

These small interactions have been the danger of harmful disability representation for generations: the made-up bits passing into the public consciousness as fact.

Growing up and living within ableist cultures categorising disability as a defect can mean that disabled people internalise negative messages about disability. Much of the disability imagery society consumes is wrong or oppressive.

After the news of Madeley's casting was made public, the joy and outpouring of affection demonstrated how deeply rooted the problem has been.

It shouldn’t be so revolutionary, but it is. Disabled people have waited for this for generations. A disabled actress in a prime-time role is perhaps still a rarity, but once it was fantastical.

I have been a wheelchair user all my life, and as a child, playing make-believe was an outlet to scrub my disability. I didn’t understand what it was to be disabled. I had to unlearn a great deal as I internalised many negative messages about disability.

I was seven the first time I saw a disabled person on screen. I remember instinctively thinking that it was exceptional as a child of the '90s. There were no disabled cover girls in fashion magazines or the sci-fi or children’s programming I devoured. How do we expect disabled children of any era to accept themselves when we don’t see ourselves anywhere?

As a teen, I was obsessed with Doctor Who. Our lives became entangled. I would consume content endlessly. Inspired by Christopher Eccleston, I had my leather jacket and some iconic throwaway lines. There are images of me in my wheelchair next to an inflatable TARDIS, reminiscent of the photos of Madeley’s debut.

Fiction, like life, has historically told disabled people that their lives have less significance. Still, the next generation might not have to unlearn negative messages, might not be shaped by stereotypes and have their lived experience minimised – we can pass on better to the next generation.

We don’t know anything about Madeley's Doctor Who character – disabled people have various personalities, after all – or how she will be handled. But disabled voices insist it should be about telling human stories reflecting our experiences – undercutting the trite.

So, whoever Shirley Anne Bingham is, she should reflect us.

Spoilers as River song would say

Update Warning this bit contains spoilers you have been warned !!

Unit returns to Doctor who in the final 2 part finale of Season 14 Episode titles the Legend of Ruby Sunday and The Empire of Death Broadcast on the 15th and 22nd June.

Shirley Bingham played by Ruth Madeley. Is taking care of things in Geneva on another case, but don’t worry she will be back next season until then UNIT has a new Scientific Adviser Number 55 who name is Morris Gibbons who just so happens to be a child Genius Morris is played by 15 year old actor Lenny Rush an actor who also has a disability Rush has a medical condition called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita which affects his growth, resulting in dwarfism.

I look forward to see what Morris Gibbions brings to Doctor who and the UNIT orgarnisation I am sure with Russell T Davis in Charge it will be very good excellant even    

Pictures

1 Dortman from 1965 as played by Alan Judd in the original 6 part Doctor who serial The Dalek invasion of Earth starring William Hartnell

2  Graham Leeman Playing a Timelord in the 3 Doctors in 1973

3and 4 Ruth Madeley. Outside the TARDIS and Ruth as UNITs 54th scientific adviser Shirley Bingham

5 Lenny Rush as Morris

Notes This blog has been put together from various sources mainly a couple of articles from the Radio times and The Evening Standard so thank you to them also Thank you to Google images for the pictures

[cultivatingcultureblog]

SCAD or Scam? President's Lucrative Salary Raises Concerns

SCAD or Scam? President’s Lucrative Salary Raises Concerns

Savannah College of Art and Design’s Atlanta campus. GAPhoto credit: ESB Professional / Shutterstock A damning new report published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has caused many to do a double take on the “highly acclaimed” Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Over the years, SCAD has built a reputation for itself as being one of the nation’s leading private art institutions. But does…

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[vulturehound]

You and Me and the Kaiser - The Exception (Film Review)

You and Me and the Kaiser – The Exception (Film Review)

(more…)

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[movielovtrailers-blog]

The Exception (2017) Movie Clips

The Exception (2017) Movie Clips

The Exception – They Know Mieke de Jong (Lily James) runs to Stefan Brandt (Jai Courtney) to explain what happened. Shortly before he gets a call explaining that the Gestapo is looking for her. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5ml6au_the-exception-movie-clip-they-know-2017_shortfilms

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