He has transformed into Vote Leave mastermind Dominic Cummings for an new Channel 4 drama about the data-driven political campaign for Brexit.
And Benedict Cumberbatch was unrecognisable as he was seen on the set of the upcoming television series in London last week.
The Sherlock actor, 41, who is known for his heartthrob looks, was seen sporting a receding hairline as well as a noticeably slighter figure as he filmed scenes for the ‘explosive and illuminating’ political thriller, set mostly during the EU referendum.
Spitting image: Benedict Cumberbatch (L) transformed into Vote Leave mastermind Dominic Cummings (R) in the first photos from the set of an explosive Channel 4 drama
Transformation: The Sherlock actor, 41, was seen sporting a receding hairline as well as a noticeably slighter figure as he filmed scenes for the ‘explosive and illuminating’ political thriller, set mostly during the EU referendum
Clad in a fitted white shirt and black chinos, the star was every inch the method actor as he played out the drama in a park.
Adopting a serious expression, Benedict was seen pushing a child actor on a swing before passionately kissing actress Liz White, who plays Cummings wife Mary Wakefield.
Showing he was a natural on set the star was seen happily playing with his onscreen son before taking a serious moment with Liz.
Doppelganger: Clad in a fitted white shirt and black chinos, the star was every inch the method actor as he played out the drama in a park (Dominic pictured R in 2001)
Passionate: Adopting a serious expression, Benedict was seen pushing a child actor on a swing before passionately kissing actress Liz White, who plays Cummings wife Mary Wakefield
Playtime: Showing he was a natural on set the star was seen happily playing with his onscreen son
Method acting: The star showed off his receding hairline as he transformed into master strategist Dominic
Serious: The Sherlock actor was unrecognisable as he filmed scenes for the new drama, which has the working title Brexit
The one-off Channel 4 drama will explore the ‘myriad tactics employed to swing one of the most surprising referendum results in living memory’.
Benedict stars as Cummings, the leading strategist and campaign director of Vote Leave, in the production directed by Toby Haynes.
The drama was announced in May amid controversy over the political impact of data-mining, with investigations examining possible links between Vote Leave’s campaign and data companies.
Explosive: The star was seen kissing his onscreen wife in one heated scene
Change: Benedict looked completely different from his usual dapper self
Happy family: The star looked happy as he filmed the family scene
Barnet: A member of the crew tended to Benedict’s tresses as they prepared to film
Up you go: Benedict looked delighted as he held a child actor up in the family scene
Costume: The Oscar nominee looked a far cry from his usual self as he strolled to set
Smile: The star gave his newest hard-hitting role his all as he filmed scenes
With the slogan ‘Everyone knows who won. But hardly anyone knows how’ Brexit, which is its working title, will explore the ‘anatomy of a modern data-driven election campaign, and the divisive figures driving it from the shadows’.
Writer James Graham said: ‘I’m so excited – not to mention a little nervous – to have this chance to try and get under the skin of what happened during that historic vote.
‘I hope by going behind-the-scenes of the campaign, we’re able to interrogate the consequences of what happened during these 8 weeks that have changed the country forever.
Swing time: The actor looked every inch the doting dad as he pushed the children
Beth Willis, Head of Drama at Channel 4, says: ‘James’ whip smart, funny and insightful writing is a breath of fresh air. We are so thrilled that he and the genius that is Benedict Cumberbatch feel Channel 4 is the right home for it – Brexit is exactly the kind of explosive and illuminating drama we want to have on the channel.’
Juliette Howell and Tessa Ross from House Productions, say: ‘We are thrilled to have Benedict at the centre of James’ brilliant, searching response to the Brexit vote –
‘James is a writer who is unafraid to ask difficult questions and has never stopped looking for uncomfortable truths at this complicated time in our history. And we’re hugely excited that Toby Haynes will be directing this film for Channel 4.’
Cumberbatch was vocal before the referendum in his opposition to Brexit.
The Hollywood star was one of almost 300 actors, musicians, writers and artists who backed calls, in an open letter, for the UK to stay in the EU.
Embrace: Benedict shared an emotional scene with onscreen wife Liz
Swing: The star was unrecognisable as filming got underway on the thriller
Hug: The star lovingly embraced his onscreen wife during the family scene
Up you go: The actors looked like the perfect family as they filmed
Fun times: Liz looked as if she was enjoying the day of filming in the park
Cumberbatch has enjoyed a number of major roles throughout his career including Marvel’s Doctor Strange and Sherlock Holmes in the hit BBC series Sherlock.
The Oscar-nominated acting talent also has a stellar career in theatre to his name, but he has insisted in a recent chat with Interview magazine that while he is fully focused on any role he takes on, he makes sure to separate his work from his home life.
Asked whether he brings his work home, Benedict replied: ‘When I walk through that door, it’s about home. If I didn’t do that, I’d become consumed by one thing only and damage the people who love me… and it would damage the work.
Embrace: The actors hugged in the park during the emotional scene
Jolly: The star looked animated as he swung during filming
Transformation: The actors hugged during the poignant scene
Discussion: The group chatted before filming began on the drama
Family day: The drama tells the story of what happened behind the scenes of Brexit
Dapper: The star changed into a lavender shirt and jeans for more filming
He has been married to Sophie Hunter since 2015, with the pair sharing two sons, Christopher, three, and Hal, 16 months.
The sighting comes amid a fraught 24 hours for Theresa May, which saw both David Davis and Boris Johnson quit Cabinet.
The ailing PM hailed her new look Cabinet today as she staggers from two bombshell resignations in the space of 24 hours.
The Prime Minister praised the ‘productive’ first meeting with her reshaped team as she tries to draw a line under the shattering departures of her Brexit Secretary and Foreign Secretary in protest at her ‘weak’ Brexit trade plans.
Political thriller: Cumberbatch has enjoyed a number of major roles throughout his career including Marvel’s Doctor Strange and Sherlock Holmes in the hit BBC series Sherlock
Off you go: The acclaime actor looked focused as he threw himself into filming
Playful: The star enjoyed a brief break from filming as he enjoyed a swing ride
Casual: The star showed off his new hair as he strolled along
She scrambled to fill the holes in Cabinet with a series of radical moves – shifting Jeremy Hunt to Foreign Secretary and Dominic Raab into the key Brexit Secretary role.
Matt Hancock has been promoted from the Culture department to Health Secretary as the premier digs in for an attritional battle with Eurosceptics.
Tweeting a picture of the Cabinet meeting, Mrs May said: ‘Productive Cabinet meeting this morning – looking ahead to a busy week. And sending our best wishes to @England for tomorrow!’
In a boost for the Prime Minister, it emerged last night that the chair of the powerful Tory 1922 committee has yet to receive the 48 letters from MPs needed to trigger a no-confidence vote.
But although she has weathered the initial shock of the resignations, furious Brexiteers have warned that a challenge could come within weeks unless she changes policy and goes for a harder exit strategy.
Chat: The Imitation Game star was escorted to set by a member of the film crew
Is that you? Benedict showed off his new look as he prepared to film
Intense: Benedict showed off his acting range as he leaned in for a onscreen kiss
Coming soon: The film is written by award-winning playwright James Graham
There is also anger that politicians who campaigned for Remain in the referendum are now installed in the four Great Offices of State – with Mrs May as PM, Philip Hammond Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt Foreign Secretary, and Sajid Javid Home Secretary.
Justice Secretary David Gauke insisted the Cabinet was now fully behind Mrs May’s approach on Brexit after the departures.
‘Clearly David and Boris have reached their conclusions that they couldn’t support the policy. I think it is right the cabinet backs the prime minister and speaks with one voice and if people don’t do that then clearly the honourable thing to do is go,’ he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
The UK is scheduled to leave the European Union on Friday, March 29 at 11pm. The EU referendum took place on June 23, 2016.
Moment: Dominic was the leading strategist and Campaign Director of Vote Leave (pictured back right in 2012 with Michael Gove)