Andrew Scott Almost Got Replaced as Hot Priest, But Phoebe Waller-Bridge Saved Him

Andrew Scott 's performance as Hot Priest in the second season of Fleabag caused a lot of buzz in Britain and, well, all over the world five years ago.

The show's writer and creator, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, seems to have revealed to the world a previously unknown formula for success: if you want to make something undeniably good even better, just add Andrew Scott to it.

The first season of Fleabag was already brilliant in itself: the bright and witty reflections of the main character opened up the emotional abscesses of the viewers and definitely got to the heart of the audience.

However, Scott's appearance added a missing element of intrigue and, of course, sexuality to Fleabag. Watching two talented people interact is always a pleasure, but when those people are Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Mr. Andrew Scott, watching the show becomes real entertainment.

Andrew Scott Was Almost Recast Just Days Before Season 2 Began Filming

But as it turns out, we were this close to losing Scott as the now-iconic Hot Priest. Former BBC director of comedy Shane Allen revealed that when Amazon began funding the second season, its executives planned to replace Andrew:

“A whole raft of US male execs turned up to the read-through and [...] proceeded to tear the show apart and demand Andrew Scott was recast with only four days until the shoot started.”

Hot Priest is Undoubtedly One of Andrew Scott's Finest Roles

In the role of the priest, Scott brought out everything that viewers love about his characters: dark charisma and mystery, awkwardness and self-confidence. And he also showed a man who has to make a difficult choice. And now the actions of the studio execs look absurd – who could play this character better than Andrew Scott?

The first season of Fleabag dropped in 2016, but it was the release of the second season that made the series popular: rave reviews from the press, a bag of awards for the creator and constant mentions in the lists of the best series not even of the year, but of the entire decade.

Fleabag is based on Waller-Bridge's one-woman show of the same name, in which she talks openly about her sexual adventures and her strained relationship with her family. The series is faithful to the original source, but dilutes the narrative with ironic remarks the main character makes directly to the viewer, breaking the fourth wall.

Source: Radio Times