‘Sherlock’ actor Andrew Scott: ‘Coming out was really lovely’
By Josh Haggis
Andrew Scott has said that his experience of “coming out” was “really lovely”.
The 37-year-old-star of Sherlock and forthcoming British film Pride has posed for the latest Attitude cover, and talks extensively inside the magazine about how it feels to be perceived as a gay role model after speaking publicly about his sexuality last year.
“It was really lovely actually,” says Scott of “coming out”. “I think I’ve been very, very, very lucky. I say this from a place of happiness and contentment now but at the time I didn’t know what way it was going to be. Of course I was scared. We are talking about years and years ago now. It’s not even in this century.”
The actor, who won a BAFTA in 2012 for his performance as Moriarty on acclaimed BBC One drama Sherlock, also says that he “would never call myself a role model”.
“The best thing I can do to represent and be a positive influence on somebody, is to be as good at my job as I can possibly be,” he explains. “People are scared that others will just see them as a gay person – but if you say ‘here I am, I’m an actor, that’s part of who I am. I can play all these parts,’ well that’s what’s freeing.”
To read the full interview with Andrew Scott, download the latest issue of Attitude now at pocketmags.com/attitude or order via post at newsstand.co.uk/attitude. You’ll be able to pick up a copy in shops from next Wednesday (August 20).
A special collectors’ edition cover featuring model Oliver Cheshire is also available to order online. Check out the cover featuring Oliver Cheshire here.