Abhiroop Das
Helmed by Dennis Lehane, Apple TV+’s ‘Smoke‘ ends its first season with a unique ending that reframes the entire narrative. The story primarily follows arson investigator Dave Gudsen and his teammate Michelle Calderon on their quest to catch two equally dangerous arsonists who spread chaos in the town of Umberland. However, it quickly becomes clear that things are not as they seem. Michelle navigates through the traumas of her past and the complex relationships of her present, only to find out that Dave is keeping secrets from her. The subsequent drama takes the story on a roller coaster ride, with a deep dive into the protagonist at the center of it. As more of the plot unfolds, Dave is forced to confront himself and the life he has carefully engineered from the ground up. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Dave’s True Face is Likely a Result of Clever Make-up and Prosthetic Work
Season one ends with the jaw-dropping reveal that Dave’s true appearance is that of a balding, overweight man, and the version of him we have been following this entire time is merely his twisted self-image that takes over the screen. Although both looks have that signature sinister gaze in common, there are nonetheless very drastic differences, which could not have been achieved without significant changes to actor Taron Egerton’s look. However, given that Dave’s appearance only changes for a single sequence, it is unlikely that Egerton put on real weight or went bald to bring his character to life. Weight gain is not always required when starring in a movie or TV show, largely due to the significant advancements in makeup and prosthetic techniques. Thus, it is more probable that Egerton relied on heavy makeup work to achieve the desired effect, with a body suit potentially being used to add the element of weight. It is by no means an easy job, and it speaks to the actor’s commitment to the craft.
Given that filming for ‘Smoke’ began on March 13, 2024, and concluded around July 31, 2024, it gives us a timeframe that we can use to look out for any major differences in Egerton’s public appearances. However, many interviews and photographs substantiate the fact that the actor observed no significant changes during the production process. While he does shave his head in late 2024, it is reportedly for his role in the movie ‘She Rides Shotgun,’ and the timeline does not sync up with his work in the show. It is probable that Dave’s drastic changes in appearance were made into reality by the skillful makeup team, led by Ceilidh Dunn. Additionally, Egerton’s personal makeup head, Jacenda Burkett, posted pictures from what appears to be the final episode’s filming, making it likely that she was also a part of the team that transformed the actor’s on-screen look.
Actor Taron Egerton is No Stranger to Changing his Look for a Role
While Taron Egerton might not have put on weight for ‘Smoke,’ the character still left a lasting impact on his psyche, and the actor made sure to give his all to it. In an interview with UPI, Edgerton showed off his insight into the character of Dave, “A normal person does things and they might have the self-awareness and healthy relationship with themselves (…) Dave has none of that. He just is not able to be in any way self-analytical, self-critical,” he said. In another interview with HeyUGuys, the actor also talked about how the role felt like stepping into a bottomless pool. These experiences play a key role in informing Egerton’s performance, with Dave slowly peeling off the many layers of his own psychology to arrive at an uncomfortable truth.
Egerton has had his fair share of extreme body transformations for his performances in the past. Prior to ‘Smoke,’ he collaborated with creator Dennis Lehane on the show ‘Black Bird,’ and for his portrayal of James Keene, the actor had to put on weight and get fit. The actor famously put on a bald cap for his role as Elton John in ‘Rocketman,’ adding to the film’s realism. Egerton’s long-time trainer, Dalton Wong, spoke about the actor’s fitness regimen during the production of ‘Kingsman 2’ to Men’s Journal. He stated, “During pre-production, it was all about lifting and strength training. But during production, it was all about maintenance and recovery.” In ‘Smoke,’ Dave imagines a fit, well-built version of himself for the majority of the season, and in doing so, Egerton’s years of hard work in maintaining a stellar physique came in handy.
Read More: Smoke Finale Recap and Ending Explained: Whom Does Dave See in the Mirror?
