Get ready to see Andrew Scott like you’ve never seen him before. The man who stole our hearts in Fleabag and left us breathless in Sherlock is now stepping into one of his most ambitious roles yet. In Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon, a biographical comedy-drama, Scott portrays Richard Rodgers, the legendary composer behind the iconic musical Oklahoma!. But here’s where it gets intriguing: this isn’t just a story about success—it’s about the creative breakup that paved the way for it. Oklahoma! marked the first time Rodgers worked without Lorenz “Larry” Hart, his lyricist partner of 24 years, and the beginning of his partnership with Oscar Hammerstein II. Together, they created timeless musicals like The King and I, Carousel, and the unforgettable The Sound of Music. But what happens to the artist left in the shadows? And this is the part most people miss: the emotional toll of creative separation.
At the BFI London Film Festival’s gala screening, Scott described Blue Moon as a “break-up movie,” but not the kind you’re thinking of. “Richard [Linklater] calls it a creative break-up,” Scott explained. “These two men wrote over 1,000 songs together—their intimacy was unparalleled. Imagine being Larry Hart on the night Rodgers begins a new chapter with Hammerstein. It’s one of the biggest nights in theater history, but for Hart, it’s a moment of profound loss.”
Linklater, in conversation with HELLO!, added a layer of poignancy: “It’s heartbreaking to see an artist left behind as their partner moves on. Artists often believe their work will last forever, but time can be unkind. Careers can soar, but someone is always left in the dust.” He frames Blue Moon as part of his informal trilogy, which he calls “two beginnings and an end,” alongside Me and Orson Welles and Nouvelle Vague. Each film explores the rise of one partnership at the expense of another, a theme that’s both universal and deeply personal.
But here’s the controversial question: Can true artistic collaboration survive without sacrifice? Is it possible for one creative genius to thrive without overshadowing another? Scott’s portrayal of Rodgers invites us to ponder the cost of greatness—not just for the artist, but for those they leave behind. Blue Moon premiered in the UK at the BFI London Film Festival and will hit theaters nationwide on November 28. Don’t miss this thought-provoking exploration of ambition, partnership, and the price of legend. What do you think? Is success always built on the ruins of someone else’s dreams? Let’s discuss in the comments!
