Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Benedict Cumberbatch undergoes balding transformation to play Vote Leave campaign manager

The drama will track the 'myriad tactics employed to swing one of the most surprising referendum'

Clarisse Loughrey
Monday 25 June 2018 10:27 BST
Comments
Vote Leave campaigner Dominic Cummings claims the EU is 'dominated by France' when questioned by the Treasury select committee in April 2016
Vote Leave campaigner Dominic Cummings claims the EU is 'dominated by France' when questioned by the Treasury select committee in April 2016 (Nick Wall/PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

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.

Tory knives are said to be out for Vote Leave campaign director Dominic Cummings
Tory knives are said to be out for Vote Leave campaign director Dominic Cummings (Asadour Guzelian)


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.*​​

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in