Andrew Scott admits his recent accolades have been bittersweet as he grieves the sudden death of devoted mother Nora during awards season: ‘You manage it day by day’

By his own admission, awards season has been bittersweet for Andrew Scott.

Currently enjoying a flood of positive reviews for his starring role in a new Netflix adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley, Scott recently received the Critics’ Circle Theater award for his remarkable performance in a contemporary interpretation of Chekhov’s masterpiece Vanya.

But the occasion was tinged with sadness for the Irish star, whose devoted mother Nora died in March – shortly before Mother’s Day – from a ‘sudden illness’.

And Scott – who dedicated the award to her memory, telling audience members “she was the source of almost all the joyful things in my life” – admits he felt compelled to delve into the work after her recent death.

“Well, you know, you have to – life goes on, you take it day by day,” he told the paper Sunday Times.

Nora’s death was confirmed in a statement on March 9, with relatives adding that she died on Thursday, March 7, surrounded by her family at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin.

Scott with parents Jim and Nora (left) and his older sister Sarah (right) in an undated photo. Scott dedicated his Critics’ Circle Theater award to Nora’s memory

“It’s very recent, but I can definitely say that a lot of it is surprising and unique, and there’s so much that I’ll be able to talk about one day.”

A devoted fashion follower off screen and stage, Scott admits that his love for clothes stemmed from his mother and her passion for art.

“My mother was an art teacher, she was obsessed with all kinds of design,” he remembers. “She loved jewelry and jewelry design.

‘Anything visual, tactile, painting, drawing, is a great passion of mine, so I have enormous respect for the creativity of designers.’

Despite the tragedy, Scott has tried to maintain a positive attitude towards both his personal and professional life.

“I feel like I’m very close to my emotions as a person,” he said. “I cry easily and I laugh easily, and there’s nothing more fun for me than laughing.”

Nora’s death was confirmed in a statement on March 9, with relatives adding that she died on Thursday, March 7, surrounded by her family at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin.

An obituary read: ‘It is with our deepest sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Nora Scott (nee Boyle), beloved wife of Jim, mother of Sarah, Andrew and Hannah.

Scott recently received the Critics’ Circle Theater award for his remarkable performance in a contemporary portrayal of Chekhov’s masterpiece Vanya (pictured)

Scott dedicated the award to her memory, telling the audience: “She was the source of virtually every joyful thing in my life”

‘Scott, Sandymount, Dublin, formerly Omagh Co. Tyrone, March 7, 2024 peacefully surrounded by her loving family and best friend Anne, at St Vincent’s Hospital following a sudden illness.

‘Nora will be deeply missed by her beloved husband Jim, her loving children Sarah, Andrew and Hannah.’

In 2018, Nora revealed that Anthony Hopkins sent her “more than three dozen red roses” after finding out she was ill while speaking to Scott on the set of King Lear.

Hopkins, 86, starred as an “English Stalin” in the BBC’s Shakespeare adaptation, with Scott playing Edgar, who becomes Lear’s secret protector.

She told RTE’s Ryan Tubridy at the time: ‘There were probably more than three dozen red roses and attached to them was a card from Anthony saying ‘Be well, sending hugs’ and all kinds of things.”

‘I was very happy to receive such a gift and because of the kind thought behind it.

‘Now that I have recovered, I can enjoy these beautiful roses that adorn our hall. It was such a beautiful gift.’

The actor is currently enjoying a flood of positive reviews for his starring role in a new Netflix adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley

In January, Scott and his co-star Paul Mescal admitted they weren’t keen on their family members watching their new film, gay drama All Of Us Strangers.

In January, Scott and his co-star Paul Mescal admitted they weren’t keen on their family members watching their new film, gay drama All Of Us Strangers.

The film stars Scott as a screenwriter who is drawn back to his childhood home and begins a relationship with a mysterious neighbor, played by Mescal, 27.

The film features several intimate scenes between the actors that the couple discussed during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show.

When asked if their families had seen the film yet, Mescal said: ‘With the Irish premiere it’s a tricky thing to allocate tickets to all the uncles and aunts.

“They’ve seen my ass before, but there’s a little more going on in this movie I’d say!”

Scott added, “I don’t want to be there when my parents watch it!”