Andrew Scott-Led Elsinore, About Ian Charleson's Final Hamlet, to Hit Cinemas in November

Andrew Scott will portray acclaimed actor Ian Charleson in Elsinore, a new film chronicling the performer’s final stage performance as Hamlet shortly before his death from AIDS.

Written by Stephen Beresford (Pride) and directed by Simon Stone (The Cherry Orchard), Elsinore features an ensemble cast led by Scott, alongside Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn, Luke Thompson, David Dawson, Monica Dolan, Matthew Beard, Joe Locke, Georgie Glen, Sadie Soverall, Adeel Akhtar, Dickie Beau, Juliet Stevenson, and Peter Mullan.

The film centers on Charleson’s celebrated 1989 performance as Hamlet at the National Theatre in London. Charleson, best known for his Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire, had first played Hamlet in 1974. Fifteen years later, director Richard Eyre cast him in the National Theatre production after Daniel Day-Lewis withdrew from the role.

Eyre initially had reservations about casting Charleson, who was seriously ill with AIDS at the time. His health had deteriorated significantly, including facial swelling caused by septicemia. Despite his condition, Charleson went on to deliver a performance that received widespread acclaim.

Charleson died just eight weeks after the production’s final performance, at the age of 40.

Focus Features will release the film in select cinemas on November 20, with a wider expansion planned throughout the holiday season.