Actor Andrew Scott recently discussed his latest World War II drama, "Pressure," where he takes on the role of Dr. James Stagg, a meteorologist whose pivotal weather forecast significantly influenced the timing and success of D-Day. Scott, in an interview with Collider's Steve Weintraub, highlighted the often-overlooked historical contributions of Stagg, whose expertise proved invaluable in the final 72 hours leading up to the historic invasion. The film features an impressive cast, including Oscar-winner Brendan Fraser as General Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower, Oscar nominee Kerry Condon as Lieutenant Kay Summersby, Chris Messina as Irving Krick, and Damian Lewis as Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery.

Scott reflected on how his early career experiences in World War II productions, specifically Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan" and an episode of "Band of Brothers," proved beneficial for his role in "Pressure." He recalled witnessing the harrowing D-Day landing sequence filmed on Curracloe Beach in Ireland for "Saving Private Ryan," an experience that provided a profound, physical understanding of the stakes involved, even though "Pressure" largely focuses on the strategic "think tank" aspect rather than direct battlefield action. This background helped him grasp the immense pressure and atmosphere of the period.

Addressing the challenge of making a film centered on weather forecasting cinematic, Scott explained that audiences appreciate seeing expertise portrayed on screen and enjoy learning new things. The production employed a meteorological expert to ensure accuracy while making complex weather terminology accessible without being oversimplified. Scott emphasized the fascinating and crucial role weather played in the D-Day invasion, dictating factors like visibility, wind, and landing conditions for soldiers, underscoring that weather is far more than just small talk, especially in such high-stakes scenarios. He also mused on the remarkable feat of accurate forecasting in the 1940s, especially given the difficulties of predicting weather in regions like England and France, where meteorological cultures and methods differed significantly.

Beyond "Pressure," Scott shared exciting details about his upcoming biographical film, "Elsinore," directed by Simon Stone. In this project, he portrays the renowned Scottish actor Ian Charleson, focusing on Charleson's courageous decision to perform Hamlet at the National Theatre while gravely ill with HIV. Scott described "Elsinore" as a deeply moving and humorous film with an extraordinary cast, including Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, and Johnny Flynn, and hinted at its potential as an awards contender. He acknowledged the significant pressure of playing such a demanding role, particularly one that involves performing Shakespeare as Hamlet.

Scott also mentioned his other ongoing and recently completed projects. He recently wrapped filming "Walk the Blue Fields," a romance based on a Claire Keegan novel, directed by John Crowley, starring alongside Emily Blunt. Additionally, he is set to begin filming a new project in France with director Justine Triet, featuring Allison Janney and Mia Goth. Despite the varied nature of his roles, Scott affirmed that he consistently feels pressure to deliver his best performance, always striving to avoid any missteps.