Andrew Scott was born in Dublin, the only boy in his family, with a sister, Sarah, two years older, and a sister, Hannah, several years younger. His father, Jim, worked in an employment agency, and his mother, Nora, taught art at a secondary school. Growing up, Andrew attended an exclusive, academically challenging, Jesuit boys' school on the south side of Dublin. While there he took part in youth theater, and was in two commercials for Irish television. At only seventeen he was chosen for a starring role in his first film, Korea. Andrew then matriculated into Trinity College in Dublin to begin a degree in drama, but soon elected to leave feeling the course of little value to him since he was already an established actor in some demand, and the curriculum of listening to lecturers rather than getting up and doing the work struck Andrew as a waste of his time. He went on to The Abbey Theatre, where he eventually performed in six plays. A move to London in 1999 resulted in consistently rave reviews for his frequent appearances on stage, and a solid reputation as a versatile and brilliantly talented performer. He received an Olivier award , and several other film and theater award s in the early part of the 2000's. Frequent film and television work in Britain, Ireland and America broadened his appeal even more. In 2006, Andrew made his Broadway debut in David Hare's "The Vertical Hour" starring with Bill Nighy and Julianne Moore. He was nominated for a Drama League award for this role. Scott has always followed his own path, eschewing fame and fortune for interesting work, new challenges, and time to live his life. Although always seeking a low profile in his career, his friendliness to fans is well-known. In the less than nine minutes that he was seen on the television screen as evil master criminal Jim Moriarty in the BBC 2010 production of "Sherlock," Scott created a riveting portrait of an intense, psychotically unbalanced, flirty, and cool as a male model in a designer suit, madman. His brave acting choices threw him into the international viewing consciousness, instantly upping his visibility. Add to that, the supposedly gay man he played earlier in the episode effecting a totally different British accent and acting style, and his versatility was evident. Scott continues to work in theater, film, television and other venues on both sides of the Atlantic, and wherever a challenging acting opportunity presents itself.

2004: Named as one of European films' Shooting Stars by European Film Promotion.In 2005 he won an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement or Performance in an affiliate Theatre for his performance in A Girl in a Car With a Man.In 2007 he was nominated for a Drama League award for his Broadway performance opposite Julianne Moore and Bill Nighy in 'The Vertical Hour' by David Hare, directed by Sam Mendes.He was awarded the 2010 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre, along with fellow cast members Ben Whishaw, Katherine Parkinson and Paul Jesson, director James McDonald and playwright Mike Bartlett, for the Royal Court Theatre production of 'Cock' by Mike Bartlett.