{"id":54214,"date":"2024-07-01T22:00:53","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T20:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=2065909"},"modified":"2024-07-02T10:05:29","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T08:05:29","slug":"fleabag-execs-demanded-andrew-scott-was-recast-days-before-filming","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/fleabag-execs-demanded-andrew-scott-was-recast-days-before-filming\/","title":{"rendered":"Fleabag execs \u2018demanded Andrew Scott was recast\u2019 days before filming"},"content":{"rendered":"

The actor’s triumphant performance is still celebrated to this day. <\/p>

By David Craig\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 01 July 2024 at 20:00 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Andrew Scott almost lost his legendary Fleabag role as the so-called \u2018Hot Priest\u2019 as executives demanded that somebody else be cast in the role, the show\u2019s commissioner has revealed.<\/p>\n

The acclaimed actor played an unnamed priest who has a dalliance with Phoebe Waller-Bridge\u2019s title character, earning high praise for his performance, including nominations at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards.<\/p>\n

However, speaking as part of a wider feature on the state of UK sitcoms in this week\u2019s Radio Times magazine<\/strong>, former BBC Director of Comedy Shane Allen said that there were calls to remove Scott just days before filming.<\/p>\n

Allen explained that Fleabag\u2019s first season was BBC-funded \u201cwith the creative freedom that provides\u201d.<\/p>\n

However, after Amazon co-financed the follow-up, he claimed that \u201ca whole raft of US male execs turned up to the read-through and \u2013 bear in mind this was a piece exploring self-destructive feminism \u2013 proceeded to tear the show apart and demand Andrew Scott was recast with only four days until the shoot started\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"Fleabag\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Andrew Scott in Fleabag.<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption> BBC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Fortunately, Waller-Bridge was able to talk the dissenting voices into her first choice of casting and the rest, as they say, is history<\/p>\n

Allen continued: \u201cAnyone less effervescently charming and smart than Phoebe would have buckled.\u201d<\/p>\n

The feeling towards Scott\u2019s heartthrob clergyman remains so strong that the actor issued a wake-up call earlier this year, telling Entertainment Weekly<\/a> that anyone still watching Fleabag should \u201cget some fresh air\u201d and \u201cdo something better with your life\u201d.<\/p>\n

Scott recently earned further acclaim \u2013 and his second Golden Globe nomination \u2013 for hard-hitting drama All of Us Strangers<\/a>, which was quickly followed by Steven Zaillian\u2019s celebrated Netflix adaptation of The Talented Mr Ripley<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more on the state of British sitcoms, pick up the latest issue of Radio Times magazine<\/strong>, out on Tuesday 2nd July \u2013 \u00a0subscribe here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"An\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Radio Times<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div><\/a><\/p>\n

Fleabag is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Check out more of our Comedy<\/a> coverage or visit our TV Guide<\/a> and Streaming Guide<\/a> to find out what\u2019s on. <\/strong>For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to\u00a0The Radio Times Podcast<\/a>.<\/b><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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