Elsinore: Joe Locke and Andrew Scott are joining forces for new film about this legendary gay actor
Joe Locke and Andrew Scott have been cast in Elsinore. (Dave Benett/Dia Dipasupil/Getty)
Joe Locke and Andrew Scott have been cast in Elsinore. (Dave Benett/Dia Dipasupil/Getty)
Heartstopper’s Joe Locke and Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’s Andrew Scott have been cast in the star-studded film Elsinore, which chronicles the life of gay Chariots of Fire actor Ian Charleson.
As Deadline reported, Scott is set to star as Charleson as he prepares to perform in Hamlet at the National Theatre in London.
Scottish stage and film actor Charleson is best known for his starring role as Olympic athlete and missionary Eric Liddell in the Oscar-winning 1981 film Chariots of Fire.
Charleson was diagnosed with HIV in 1986. He died of AIDS-related causes in January 1990 at the age of 40. Also, his death came eight weeks after his incredible performance as Hamlet.
Charleson passed with the request that it would be publicly announced that he died of AIDS.
Furthermore, he was among the first celebrity deaths in the UK openly attributed to the illness.
In doing so, Charleson helped promote awareness of HIV and AIDS and acceptance of AIDS patients.
Ian Charleson played Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire
Alongside Scott, there are a number of other high-profile actors who have been cast in Elsinore.
Locke will reunite with Heartstopper co-star Olivia Colman in the film. Additionally, Doctor Who’s Billie Piper, Ripley’s Johnny Flynn and Bridgerton’s Monica Dolan will also star in the movie.
Furthermore, casting also includes Bend It Like Beckham’s Juliet Stevenson, Sherwood’s Adeel Akhtar, The Testament of Ann Lee’s Matthew Beard, The Last Kingdom’s David Dawson, Slow Horses’s Kadiff Kirwan, Bohemian Rhapsody’s Dickie Beau and Ozark’s Peter Mullan.
Elsinore is being helmed by The Dig director Simon Stone. The film is penned by BAFTA winner, Golden Globe nominee and Pride writer Stephen Beresford.
The film is currently being shot on locations across the UK.
The film’s creative team also includes DOP Mike Eley, production designer Helen Scott and costume designer Mel Page.
Jessica Ronane is responsible for the film’s impressive casting, and Valerio Bonelli will be the editor of Elsinore.
The film is currently in production and does not yet have a release date.
