The Power of the Dog star Jesse Plemons says he was frustrated by Benedict Cumberbatch’s method acting

Acting is not an easy craft, and there may be many times during the course of filming when tensions and emotions run high. Actor Jesse Plemons recently revealed that he had experienced something similar with his co-star Benedict Cumberbatch on the sets of their recent film, The Power of the Dog.

In conversation with Variety, Plemons revealed that Cumberbatch had strived to remain in character as much as he could throughout the course of filming, even when the camera wasn’t on. The former recalled an instance where Cumberbatch referred to Plemons as ‘big boy’, something which angered Plemons greatly. When Plemons brought it up with Cumberbatch when the cast were having a meal together, the latter had apologised profusely. Plemons said that his co-star’s method acting had really impacted how their characters interacted with each other on screen.

Cumberbatch also talked about how the film’s director, Jane Campion, had also been supportive of the actor’s attempts to remain in character for so long. He revealed that the filmmaker had introduced him as his character Phil to the cast and crew, saying that they would meet Cumberbatch only after they had finished filming. The actor talked about how this greenlight from the director had allowed him to really embrace the dark side of his character, including Phil’s distasteful behaviours.

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Plemons also revealed that Cumberbatch rarely interacted with his co-stars, which included Kirsten Dunst and Kodi Smit-McPhee, in between takes. The actor would resort to sitting by himself, rolling cigarettes or braiding, until filming resumed.

The Power of the Dog is available to stream on Netflix.