During the filming of his latest film, The Power of the Dog, Benedict Cumberbatch said he gave himself nicotine poisoning three times.
The actor embraced a new habit
The Power of the Dog is an adaptation of Thomas Savage’s western novel and directed by Jane Campion.
In the tense slow-burn western, Cumberbatch’s role as Phil Burbank required him to smoke copious amounts of rolled-up cigarettes. And the actor also learned to roll the cigarettes one-handed, since that is what the character in the book did.
“Filterless rollies, just take after take after take. I gave myself nicotine poisoning three times. When you have to smoke a lot, it genuinely is horrible.”
Smoking isn’t the only way Cumberbatch stayed in character
As Cumberbatch was playing a ranch owner in 1920s Montana, he wanted to learn a few skills that his character possessed. This included learning ironmongery and woodworking.
And also like his character, Cumberbatch apparently didn’t wash.
“I wanted that layer of stink on me. I wanted people in the room to know what I smelled like. It was hard, though. It wasn’t just in rehearsals. I was going out to eat and meet friends of Jane and stuff. I was a bit embarrassed by the cleaner, in the place I was living.”
Cumberbatch even stayed in character throughout the whole film shoot, which only allowed him to respond to the name of his character.
“If someone forgot, on the first day, and called me Benedict, I wouldn’t move,” he said.
Where to watch The Power of The Dog
The Power of The Dog includes actors Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst.
The film premieres in theatres today in the US and should be available on Netflix from 1 December.