Andrew Scott Reflects on Painful SAG Awards Experience from 2020

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 23, 2025 — Actor Andrew Scott is at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, hoping his experience from 2020 does not repeat. Back then, as a nominee for his role in ‘Fleabag,’ Scott endured excruciating pain after passing a kidney stone during the ceremony.

Speaking to Variety’s Marc Malkin on the red carpet, Scott recounted the night in vivid detail. ‘I was beside Phoebe [Waller-Bridge] when Laura Dern won best supporting actress. As we stood up to applaud, it hit me. I don’t know if anyone has ever experienced having a kidney stone before, but the pain is so immediate,’ he said.

Scott recalled the moment Laura Dern finished her acceptance speech, he was already in the back of the auditorium, ‘ripping off my tux, writhing around in agony.’ Having previously passed a kidney stone, he recognized the symptoms immediately but kept it private from other attendees, even as Waller-Bridge fetched him water.

In an unexpected turn, Scott ended up needing an ambulance to transport him from the venue. When Malkin casually asked about the fate of the kidney stone, Scott responded with a laugh, ‘That’s too much. People don’t need to know about that. It was grisly.’

This year, Scott is nominated for outstanding performance by a male actor in a television movie or limited series for his role in Netflix‘s ‘Ripley.’ He is up against notable actors including Javier Bardem, Colin Farrell, Richard Gadd, and Kevin Kline.

Scott’s portrayal of Tom Ripley, a character originally created by Patricia Highsmith in her 1955 novel, explores the psychological complexities of manipulation and deception. Highsmith’s work has been adapted into acclaimed films such as ‘Purple Noon‘ (1960) and ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley‘ (1999).

As Scott navigates the 2025 SAG Awards, he is also among three Irish stars in attendance, joined by Farrell, who is also nominated for an award, showcasing the talent emerging from Ireland in the film industry.