Olivia Colman said fans have knocked on the cubicle door to ask for selfies while she was using the toilet, and Benedict Cumberbatch described Halloween as a rare opportunity to move about unrecognised, the actors said on the Dish from Waitrose podcast as they promoted their new film The Roses.
Colman, 51, recounted a series of unusual encounters with admirers, saying she has been approached in “rather bizarre places.” She told hosts Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett OBE that fans have asked for selfies while she was “having a wee” and had knocked on the cubicle door or spoken to her while she was washing her hands.
Cumberbatch, 49, said dressing up for Halloween allowed him to enjoy anonymity. He described attending a party as Chewbacca, wearing a mask that prevented people from recognising him and letting him “really let loose.” He recalled dancing to a Michael Jackson impersonator and becoming part of a scene that amused onlookers.
Both actors discussed aspects of their craft on the programme, including the art of portraying intoxication, getting into character and the sensation of feeling as if one was "born to act." The conversation accompanied the pair’s appearances at promotional events for Jay Roach’s dark comedy drama, which premiered last month.
Colman also spoke about a decision that she said has helped reduce unwanted attention: leaving London. She said the move allowed her to inhabit “big spaces where people don’t look at you,” and that returning to the city now feels easier. "I've managed to knock some of the fear out of myself," she said.
Cumberbatch said he makes an effort to shield his family from attention, adding that he sometimes adopts a disguise to preserve their privacy. When not prioritising privacy for family reasons, he said he accepts recognition as part of public life and tries to "own it," while acknowledging the oddness of entering a room not knowing who will recognise him.
The pair joined Grimshaw and Hartnett to discuss The Roses and to reflect on their careers. Colman is known for roles including The Lost Daughter and The Crown; Cumberbatch is known for Sherlock and his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, among other credits.
Dish from Waitrose is available on all major podcast platforms. The actors’ comments followed events tied to the film’s promotion and a public premiere held earlier this year.