Dubliner and James Bond villain Andrew Scott to play a spy in children's movie

The Dundrum native has been cast as a secret agent called Lazlow in an adaptation of Arthur Ransome's adventure story, Swallows and Amazons.

The story follows four children dreaming of an escape from the tedium of a summer holiday with their mother.

When finally given permission to camp on their own on a remote island in the middle of a vast lake, they are overjoyed but they must battle for ownership of the island.

Scott (38) says this new role "is a different kettle of fish" to his role as menacing Moriarty in Sherlock.

"He's a very charismatic character, and there is humour and warmth in the character," he told Variety.

"It's a great part; it's very witty. It's a very attractive character to play, so I'm delighted to be on board.

"The chief reason I'm on board is because I love the storyline," he said.

"That's the thing that attracts me to any project - a great script and a really good story.

"I'm delighted that this is a film that my godchildren can come and watch, because some of the stuff I've done before has been a bit adult-themed.

"But standards have to be very high because children have very good instincts for what is believable and relevant."

While he is looking forward to playing a spy, he doesn't believe actors would make good spies in real life.

"There are certain similarities between acting and being a spy," he admitted.

liars

"But I think there's a great myth because actually most actors are terrible, terrible liars.

"What with doing Bond for the past six months and being in that world, I've come to realise it's a very different world, contrary to what people might think," he added.