Andrew Scott’s new film Elsinore has put the spotlight back on Scottish actor Ian Charleson, whose final months included one of the most acclaimed performances of his career. The biographical drama opened the 70th BFI London Film Festival on 7 October, with Scott playing Charleson and also serving as a producer. Directed by Simon Stone and written by Stephen Beresford, the film follows Charleson as he prepares to play Hamlet at London’s National Theatre in 1989 after Daniel Day-Lewis leaves the production, all while his health is deteriorating following an AIDS diagnosis.

Scott’s performance has already attracted major awards attention, but Elsinore is also introducing a new audience to the actor at the centre of the story. So, who was Ian Charleson, and what happened during the final months of his life?

Who Was Ian Charleson?

Ian Charleson was a Scottish stage and screen actor, perhaps best known to film audiences for playing Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire. He also appeared in Gandhi, but theatre was a major part of his career, with his final performance as Hamlet becoming one of the roles for which he is most remembered.

In 1989, after Daniel Day-Lewis left the National Theatre production of Hamlet, Charleson stepped into the title role. At the time, he was seriously ill with AIDS, but continued with the demanding performance despite his declining health and advice from doctors. His portrayal of Hamlet went on to receive huge acclaim. Charleson died in 1990, shortly after that final stage performance, and his story has remained closely connected to both his work and the wider history of the AIDS crisis.

How Does Elsinore Tell Ian Charleson’s Story?

Elsinore focuses on the final months of Charleson’s life, following his decision to take on Hamlet and his determination to continue performing despite his illness. Scott has spoken about wanting the film to remember Charleson for the way he lived, rather than allowing his death to define the whole story.

Speaking at the London Film Festival, Scott described him as someone with “a great zest for life” who was funny, charming and deeply loved. He also said playing Charleson was an unusually special role and described the screenplay and cast as extraordinary.

Olivia Colman stars as pioneering doctor Margaret Johnson, whose work treating people during the AIDS crisis is also part of the film. Colman has spoken about Johnson and the families, nurses, doctors and friends who continued supporting patients during a period of enormous stigma and fear.

The wider cast includes Billie Piper, Luke Thompson, Johnny Flynn and Peter Mullan, with Stone describing the film as a celebration of both Charleson and the importance of the arts community around him.

When Is Elsinore Released in the UK?

Following its festival run, Elsinore is due to arrive in UK cinemas on 29 January 2027. The film received its European premiere as the opening film of the BFI London Film Festival, where Scott was given a standing ovation following the screening. With his performance already generating awards attention, Elsinore is likely to keep Charleson’s story in the conversation as it moves towards its wider release.

For CultureCues, we’re really glad to see Ian Charleson’s story being introduced to a new audience and getting the attention it deserves, especially with so much focus on his work and legacy. We’re really looking forward to seeing Elsinore, and we’ll be catching it at the London Film Festival. Charleson’s final performance as Hamlet is an extraordinary part of his career, but the film also looks at the person behind it and the life he lived before those final months. We love Andrew Scott, the early praise for his performance has been huge, and we’re very excited to watch this one for ourselves.

Elsinore is released in UK cinemas on 29 January 2027.

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