Andrew Scott has enjoyed an acting career spanning over three decades. Some of his best performances include starring as The Hot Priest in Fleabag (2019) and as Tom Ripley in the 2024 thriller series Ripley. Nonetheless, only a few of his performances can stand up to his incredible portrayal of James Moriarty in the BBC series Sherlock (2010-2017). In fact, his portrayal of that role was so good that it inspired one of Billie Eilish‘s most famous songs, ‘You Should See Me In A Crown.’
Seeing a BBC crime drama make the jump from screen into pop culture through music is not something fans get to experience often. Yet Scott’s version of Moriarty found a way to blend chaotic energy and theatrics in a way that surprised several audiences, including pop icon Billie Eilish. So how exactly did a fictional villain influence a real-world star?
Andrew Scott’s Moriarty: The Villain Who Made Chaos Cool
The character Moriarty has always felt like a unique villain with exceptional qualities, and Andrew Scott’s portrayal truly captured those traits. This character was not just a villain who leaves mayhem in his wake; no, he took it a step further and made chaos look cool. While Sherlock was the star of the series, the moment Moriarty stepped onto the scene in Season 2, Episode 3, “The Reinchenbach Fall,” it was clear to fans and audiences that he represented something different. Moriarty stole that show with his sinister charm and personality. Additionally, he flirted with danger and taunted Sherlock’s mind, all with an unsettling grin.
Moriarty’s dark energy made chaos hypnotic, and Scott delivered it with style. In Season 2, Episode 1, “A Scandal in Belgravia”, Scott’s portrayal of Moriarty turned the character into more than an antagonist. He lets his poised veneer crack as he whispers his evil intentions, giving viewers their first true look at Moriarty’s unpredictable core. Though he gave mayhem a graceful touch, when he uttered the line “In a world of locked rooms, the man with the key is king and honey, you should see me in a crown” in “The Reinchenbach Fall,” it was impossible to tell how far that quote would go. Still, it’s not hard to see why Eilish would be drawn to it. The phrase is not only built around power and chaos, it packs a punch because it’s also true.
RELATED: The Surprising Reality TV Show Cillian Murphy “Can Watch for Hours”
From Sherlock’s Rooftop to Billie Eilish’s Crown: How a TV Villain Inspired a Hit Song
Eilish didn’t just stumble upon her hit song “You Should See Me in a Crown” by a stroke of genius, it started with her binge-watching Sherlock. Back when the BBC series was making waves, Eilish and her brother Finneas were totally hooked. Then came that unforgettable moment when Scott’s Moriarty, grinning that chaotic grin, delivers the now iconic phrase, “…you should see me in a crown.” As soon as Eilish heard it, she knew she had a song on her hands.
What’s really fascinating here is how clear-cut the inspiration is. In an interview with Billboard, Eilish was quite upfront about wanting the track to unsettle people, and let’s be real, that’s exactly the vibe Moriarty gave off. The sinister swagger, the unpredictable menace, the kind of confidence that makes people uneasy — it’s all baked into the track. And honestly, it totally worked because it matches the vibe Eilish was beginning to craft in her own music.
Anyone who listens to the track feels it instantly, the gradual buildup, the playful yet menacing undertones, and that audacious flair. For instance, lyrics like “I’m gonna run this nothing town” and “Watch me make ’em bow” not only match Moriarty’s menacing energy, but they also show Eilish discovering how to transform villainy into pop music magic. What began as a nod to her Sherlock obsession blossomed into a hallmark of her early career.
Eilish being inspired by Sherlock’s Moriarty is a gentle reminder that inspiration can come from anywhere. But she didn’t just mimic his madness, she made it her own. What’s most striking is that she approached the song as a fan of the TV show, transforming that admiration into something original. When art is created from a place of genuine love, it tends to resonate more deeply, which might be why you should see me in a crown became one of her most popular tracks; and much like Sherlock’s structure of subtext and misdirection, Eilish’s song plays with tension: minimal beats, subtle shifts, and chilling lyrics. The connection between Andrew Scott’s performance and Billie Eilish’s artistry shows how one character’s energy can cut across genres and generations. It becomes more like a conversation. Between television and music. Between villainy and vulnerability. Between fan and artist. And when those lines blur, something truly original can take shape.
To watch Andrew Scott as Moriarty, you can stream the Sherlock on Hulu.
