Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Scott Ellis Watson, now 16, once gave up drama at school, never expecting he would become an actor walking the red carpet as a Scottish Bafta nominee. Initially focused on a future as a pilot, Scott thought acting was beyond his reach. However, his breakout role as the young John Davidson in the acclaimed film *I Swear* changed the course of his life, leading to another significant part in the movie adaptation of the BBC drama *Ghosts*. Reflecting on his unexpected journey, Scott said, “I just never thought that film acting was a career that I could have done, so I never really chased it. I didn’t have that faith in myself.”
*I Swear* recounts the true story of John Davidson, a teenager from Galashiels who developed severe Tourette’s Syndrome and later became a vocal campaigner for the condition, earning an MBE in 2019 for his advocacy. The film was both a critical and commercial success across Scotland and the UK in 2025, winning multiple awards and racking up eight Scottish Bafta nominations. Notably, all three contenders in the Best Actor category were from this film, including Scott himself. Speaking about his nomination, Scott admitted feeling “flabbergasted” and prepared eagerly for the Bafta ceremony in Glasgow.
Initially, Scott’s audition was meant for a minor role named “Lad One,” and it arrived just six weeks before filming began. However, the casting team invited him to audition for the lead role of young John Davidson. Scott recalled, “I was like ‘I’ve never done any acting before’ and then I went in and got the role.” Even on a holiday in Florida, he remained committed, practicing daily with voice and movement coaches to embody John’s distinct tics and mannerisms. He and John Davidson collaborated closely during filming to ensure an authentic depiction. The young actor felt a strong responsibility to portray John’s experience accurately, and John later expressed his gratitude with a card reading, “Thank you so much for being me so well in the film.”
Though Scott was only 13 when he began *I Swear*, the role came with challenges. Some of the language he had to use was awkward given his age, including an explicit phrase in a scene shared with a female co-star of the same age. Despite discomfort, Scott insisted on delivering the lines as intended, with rehearsals using a toned-down alternative while the original dialogue was reserved for filming. Following this serious drama, Scott embraced a lighter genre with his next role in *Ghosts: The Possession of Button House*, where he played Jack Marsh, a teen ghost hunter possessed by a cheeky spirit. Contrasting the two projects, Scott said, “With *I Swear*, there was a lot of getting it right but with *Ghosts* there was a lot of creative freedom… *I Swear* is a serious drama with humour in it, whereas *Ghosts* is a comedy with a little bit of drama in it.”
Looking ahead, Scott is set to star in *All in the Same Boat*, a comedy-drama based on the true story of gay cruise ship stewards serving with British forces during the 1982 Falklands War. He will share the screen with renowned actors Rupert Everett and Stephen Fry, with filming scheduled for next year. Despite a promising career unfolding, Scott remains proudest of his work on *I Swear*, noting its profound impact: “It’s touched so many people, and people still reach out to me to say how it has impacted them, and that’s all I could ever ask for.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.