Irish talent in spotlight as London Film Festival opens
Andrew Scott stars as Ian Charleson in the opening film, a drama about his final Hamlet performances while living with AIDS.
- The 70th BFI London Film Festival opened Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Royal Festival Hall with the European premiere of 'Elsinore', starring Irish actor Andrew Scott as Scottish actor Ian Charleson.
- Director Simon Stone's film dramatizes the 1989 true story of Charleson, who performed 'Hamlet' at the National Theatre while battling HIV/AIDS during the AIDS epidemic.
- Co-Starring Olivia Colman as physician Dr. Margaret Johnson, the film has garnered critical acclaim and generated Oscar buzz, receiving standing ovations at festival screenings.
- During a special presentation, Scott introduced real-life individuals portrayed in the film, including Dr. Johnson, and paid tribute to Charleson while calling the role 'the role of a lifetime.'
- Focus Features debuts the film in select U.S. theaters on November 20, 2026, while Studiocanal releases it in U.K. cinemas on January 29, 2027, positioning 'Elsinore' for awards season.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Elsinore director reveals what Daniel Day-Lewis really thinks about Hamlet film
Daniel Day-Lewis has given his verdict on Elsinore, the film’s director has revealed. The biographical drama, starring Andrew Scott and Olivia Colman, follows the story of Ian Charleson’s (Scott) final performance in the Shakespeare play at the National Theatre in London before he died of AIDS. Speaking to The Independent as the film opened the 70th annual London Film Festival on Wednesday (7 October), director Simon Stone said he had spoken to …
Elsinore review: I wept through Andrew Scott's AIDS epic
Elsinore at London Film Festival review: astonishing, devastating AIDS drama ★★★★★ Despite the rise of stories depicting the epidemic, the horrors of AIDS are still underrepresented in film and TV. Russell T Davies’ It’s A Sin brought freshness by focusing on fleeting moments of joy, and Simon Stone’s Elsinore borrows from that playbook with this [...]
Critics Tip Andrew Scott For Oscar Glory After Elsinore's London Film Festival Debut
Andrew Scott’s new movie Elsinore had its European premiere at the London Film Festival on Wednesday night – with the movie winning over a legion of critics.The Fleabag star takes the lead as the actor Ian Charleson in director Simon Stone’s new film, set a time when the late performer is shown readying himself to play Hamlet, while privately seriously ill with AIDS and nearing the end of his life.It had already been suggested that Andrew was a …
Andrew Scott stirs Oscar buzz with ‘Elsinore’ premiere
Andrew Scott stirs Oscar buzz with ‘Elsinore’ premiere Andrew Scott has kicked off the excitement of Awards Season with the UK premiere of Elsinore at the London Film Festival.The 70th BFI London Film Festival takes place at venues across the British capital from October 7 to...
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