Kenneth Branagh grows into his new role as Boris: Actor’s waistline expands as he transforms into the PM for Sky’s coronavirus drama This Sceptred Isle
Sir Kenneth Branagh might be known for his weighty characters, but this could be his most substantial role yet.
As our exclusive picture shows, the theatrical knight has certainly grown into the role of Boris Johnson, sacrificing his waistline to become his startling doppelganger.
With his physical appearance, dress, mannerisms and gait all mimicked perfectly, Sir Kenneth’s transformation into the Prime Minister is all-consuming.
Sir Kenneth, 60, donned a navy quilted jacket, suit and tie and tousled blond wig to match the PM’s look as he filmed the Sky Atlantic drama This Sceptred Isle last week.
The photograph (right) shows Sir Kenneth Branagh, as PM Boris Johnson, visiting locals in the flood-hit Worcestershire town of Bewdley last March as part of the five-part series
Our photograph shows Sir Kenneth, as Boris, visiting locals in the flood-hit Worcestershire town of Bewdley last March. In reality, Boris was heckled by some who called him a ‘traitor’ while others posed with him for selfies.
The five-part series, directed by Michael Winterbottom, will tell the story of how the 56-year-old Prime Minister tackled the Covid pandemic, including his own hospitalisation with the virus, as well as charting his relationship with fiancee Carrie Symonds.
Sir Kenneth Branagh, 60, is transformed for his role in Sky Atlantic drama This Sceptred Isle
Filming for This Sceptred Isle, which has already attracted criticism for featuring fictitious storylines, has been under way for three weeks in various locations around the UK. It is due to air next year.
Sir Kenneth’s transformation into a hunched and haunted-looking Johnson is just his latest physical metamorphosis for a role.
He deployed a prosthetic nose to play William Shakespeare in All Is True and grew a dramatic moustache to portray Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s Death On The Nile.