Benedict Cumberbatch is balding and Boris Johnson eerie in new HBO film Brexit – and it hits close too close to home
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports H..
HBO and Benedict Cumberbatch have teamed up for a Brexit origin story and the feature is set to examine the build up to the referendum.
Basically, how the country got to this state.
Benedict Cumberbatch completely transforms his look and becomes balding for his character Dominic Cummings, the campaign director of Vote Leave and the man behind much of the vitriol surrounding Brexit.
We want to return to a time where we knew our place, Benedicts Cummings says in the trailer, When things made sense. Fictional or not.
It is this take on reality and fiction, on lies and truth, that the film plays with, and it explores how social media platforms were manipulated, the film suggests, by Vote Leave in order to maximise voters – at whatever cost to the truth.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The movie is an international co-production BBC Studio, Channel 4 and House production.
The trailer hints at the 2008 financial crisis and looks at Brexit from the inside out, with Cumberbatch announcing at one point that he was going to hack the political system and draw three million potential voters into Vote Leave.
In a bit of a meta moment, Benedict Cumberbatch presents the infamous red bus with the words We send the EU £350 million a week. Lets fund our NHS instead, stamped on the front, as a decidedly trim Boris Johnson, played by Richard Goulding, watches on.
Of the show, HBO said: The result of the Brexit referendum in summer 2016 caused a political earthquake that laid waste to the normally stable British establishment and sent political tremors around the world. Cumberbatch portrays Dominic Cummings, who spearheaded the Vote Leave campaign. Rory Kinnear plays Craig Oliver, Prime Minister David Camerons director of communications and head of the Remain campaign.
This provocative feature-length drama goes behind the scenes, revealing the personalities, strategies and feuds of the Leave and Remain campaigns. The tactics employed by Vote Leave during the data-driven campaign swayed a historically silent voting bloc that would ultimately decide the outcome of the referendum, as well as affecting future elections around the world.
Brexit is directed by Toby Haynes, who has also directed Sherlock, Doctor Who and Black Mirror episodes
The cast includes Paul Ryan as Nigel Farage, Oliver Maltman as Michael Gove and Rory Kinnear as Craig Oliver.
Advertisement
Advertisement
This isnt Cumberbatchs first foray into films based on real life events. Hes starred in The Fifth Estate, The Imitation Game and The Current War.
Perhaps the film will bring some much-needed clarity to the political mess were in.
Brexit premieres January 19th on HBO.
Got a showbiz story?
If you've got a story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: When is The Grinch on TV at Christmas (the Jim Carrey version NOT the new one)?
MORE: BTS and Little Mix to host their own Radio 1 shows on Christmas Day
Advertisement
Advertisement
