Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Clarisse Loughrey

Benedict Cumberbatch undergoes balding transformation to play Vote Leave campaign manager

Nick Wall/PA Wire

Benedict Cumberbatch has switched up his look to play Vote Leave campaign manager Dominic Cummings for a new TV one-off drama. 

The Channel 4 TV movie, which currently has the working title Brexit, will focus on the data-driven political campaign during the EU referendum, including the "myriad tactics employed to swing one of the most surprising referendum results in living memory".

Filming has begun on what's been promised to be an "explosive and illuminating" Brexit thriller, directed by Toby Haynes, who's worked on the likes of Sherlock, Black Mirror, and Doctor Who

Cumberbatch, who's been vocal in his opposition to Brexit, has transformed himself into Cummings, the leading strategist and campaign director of Vote Leave, with the help of a receding hairline. He was one of almost 300 actors, musicians, writers, and artists who signed an open letter in support of the UK remaining within the EU. 

The TV movie was initially announced last month, as the controversy grew over the political impact of data-mining, with investigations examining possible links between Vote Leave's campaign and data companies. 


The drama promises to explore the "anatomy of a modern data-driven election campaign, and the divisive figures driving it from the shadows".

*Follow Independent Culture on Facebook for all the latest on Film, TV, Music, and more.*​​

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.