Andrew Scott takes on the challenging role of playing grifter Tom Ripley in Netflix’s Ripley, based on Patricia Highsmith’s iconic character. The eight-episode series follows Ripley, a con man scraping by in early 1960s New York, as he is hired to convince a wealthy man’s son to return home, leading him down a path of deceit, fraud, and murder. Scott reveals that the most challenging aspect of playing Ripley was his secretive nature and lack of reliability as a hero, forcing the actor to find the vulnerable side of the character to make him more relatable. Despite the character’s flaws, Scott finds Ripley’s fallibility to be what makes him lovable in some ways.
Highsmith first introduced the character of Tom Ripley in her 1955 novel, “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” with four subsequent books following his story. Prior to Scott’s portrayal, Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jude Law starred in the 1999 film adaptation of the novel. Scott refrains from labeling Ripley as a sociopath or serial killer, emphasizing the importance of not making lazy assumptions about the character. Speculation about Ripley’s sexuality and mental state is present, with Scott acknowledging that the speculation itself can be more insidious than any specific label.
Scott discusses the unique experience of playing a character that dominates the screen time in a television series, allowing for a deep dive into Ripley’s complex personality over the course of eight hours. The actor emphasizes that Ripley’s ability to surprise viewers with his actions and decisions is what attracted him to the role, despite the character’s darker tendencies. Scott’s portrayal showcases the inner conflict within Ripley, highlighting the human side of a character who is not a natural born killer but someone with vulnerabilities and flaws.
The actor reflects on the intense preparation and stamina required to embody a character like Tom Ripley, delving into the psychological intricacies necessary to bring the grifter to life on screen. Scott’s dedication to finding the soul of the character and portraying his vulnerabilities is evident in his performance, making Ripley a character who is both fascinating and relatable to audiences. The actor describes Ripley’s character arc as an epic journey, filled with twists and turns that keep viewers engaged and questioning the true nature of the enigmatic con man.
Andrew Scott’s portrayal of Tom Ripley in Netflix’s Ripley offers a fresh perspective on a classic character, bringing new depth and complexity to the iconic con man. The actor’s nuanced performance captures the essence of Ripley’s morally ambiguous nature, while also exploring the character’s vulnerabilities and humanity. Scott’s commitment to avoiding simplistic labels for Ripley showcases the character’s complexity and invites viewers to engage with the psychological depth of the enigmatic grifter. Overall, Scott’s transformation into Tom Ripley is a testament to his talent as an actor and his ability to breathe new life into a beloved literary figure.
