Laura Benanti Joins Mayor of Kingstown, But Finding Fake Blood on Set Leaves Her in Distress
Mayor of Kingstown
We often see our favorite actors facing serious dangers on screen. Their bravery makes us think they’re the same in real life. However, news from the set of Mayor of Kingstown will shock you.
Laura Benanti, who played the role of Cindy Stephens, a tough police officer, in Season 4 of the show, turned out to be quite different in real life.
Fake Blood and Alcohol Swabs
The show’s co-creator, Hugh Dillon, made a surprising revelation. He explained that Laura can’t bear the sight of blood, let alone the smell of it.
Interestingly, the show is a crime thriller where bloodshed is commonplace. During filming, when fake blood was used, Laura’s health would deteriorate.
Dillon explained that alcohol swabs had to be placed under her nose several times to keep her sane and prevent her from fainting. Imagine, a tough woman in a warden’s uniform, yet so delicate inside!
Leave the glamour, get into acting
Not just the blood, but changing her look was also a major challenge for Laura. She explained that she had to completely put aside her vanity for this role.
She wasn’t allowed to wear makeup on set, and her hair was always sticky. The lighting was also such that it didn’t hide her facial flaws.
Laura jokingly said that she looked like a “hag,” but she found it quite “freeing.” Often, actors feel pressured to look good, but here they simply had to focus on their acting.
Gun Training and the Fear of Action
In addition to makeup and blood, Laura also had to perform some heavy action sequences. She explained that these stunts were quite terrifying for her.
She had previously handled a gun in the show Nashville, but her role there was unaccustomed. She had to undergo proper training for Mayor of Kingstown, as she plays an expert cop.
However, the crew took utmost care with safety, and during filming, she was always shown that the gun was unloaded.
Intense Show, Fun Environment
Despite the dark and serious nature of the show, the atmosphere on set was quite different.
Laura, who is new to the show, says that Jeremy Renner and the rest of the cast welcomed her with great warmth.
She said that if people weren’t so funny and supportive off-screen, shooting such a depressing show would be impossible. It was the humor that made shooting easier.
Mayor of Kingstown is now streaming on Paramount+.
Breaking celebrity news and hot gossip. We deliver the juiciest stories and trending star updates fast.