Julia Roberts’ fans know her for her glamour on the red carpet and for her iconic roles in romantic comedies.
But on the set of *August: Osage County*, the Oscar-winning actress showed a very different side.
Off-camera, Roberts traded in designer dresses and sleek hairdos for a much more low-key look as she took on the emotionally taxing role of Barbara Weston, a woman struggling to keep her family in one piece in the wake of a devastating personal crisis.
Photos also showed Roberts dressed in casual jeans and layered clothing with little makeup on as production took place on location.
Her long brunette hair was left natural, helping her become a character whose life had been turned upside down by unforeseen events.
One of the most powerful scenes shot that day was Roberts with Ewan McGregor, who played her husband, Bill Fordham.
The sequence shows the couple walking with a sheriff to a dock, where they are asked to identify a body following the disappearance of Barbara’s father.
Witnesses on set said it was quiet and tense while the cameras were rolling.
Roberts and McGregor were fully invested in the emotional sequence, with the actress giving a heartbreaking performance as Barbara grapples with the devastating news.
As the scene played out, one of the most emotional moments in the film, Barbara broke down in tears and fell into her husband’s arms.
The scene called for a huge emotional intensity but the mood changed almost immediately when filming stopped.
In between takes, Roberts was spotted smiling, laughing and talking with fellow cast members, a reminder to all that even the most heartbreaking scenes are the product of careful preparation and talented performers.
Actress Julianne Nicholson was one of those sharing lighter moments on set and seemed to have the cast laughing while waiting for cameras to roll again.
The chilled atmosphere backstage was a stark contrast to the intense performance, a strange quirk of filmmaking.
Actors spend hours playing through challenging moments before directors break for a moment, and then back to regular conversations.
Released in 2013, *August: Osage County* has one of the strongest ensemble casts of the decade.
Besides Roberts and McGregor, the film’s cast included Meryl Streep, Benedict Cumberbatch, Julianne Nicholson, Juliette Lewis, Abigail Breslin, Chris Cooper, Dermot Mulroney and Margo Martindale.
The story of the deeply complicated Weston family, who come together following the mysterious disappearance of the family patriarch. As the family members come together under one roof, years of pent-up conflict, hidden secrets and emotional scars begin to surface.
Roberts’ portrayal of Barbara was widely acclaimed by critics, who praised her for the emotional depth she brought to the role. Her performance was nominated for the Academy Award and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress .
The film also garnered awards attention itself, notably for Meryl Streep’s performance as Violet Weston, the acid-tongued matriarch of the family whose complex relationship with her daughters drives much of the story.
As is often the case with major Hollywood productions, the casting process shifted multiple times before filming started.
During development, early reports indicated that both Andrea Riseborough and Renée Zellweger were in the running for roles. Originally cast as Riseborough, she left the project due to scheduling conflicts and was replaced by Juliette Lewis.
At the same time, Chloë Grace Moretz auditioned for the part of Jean Fordham, but was eventually cast as Abigail Breslin.
More than a decade after its premiere, *August: Osage County* still stands out for its powerful performances and emotionally charged storytelling.
Behind-the-scenes photos from the production are an interesting reminder for many fans of the great lengths actors go for demanding roles.
While Julia Roberts looked unrecognisable during filming of some of the most emotional scenes of the movie, once the cameras stopped rolling, the smiles and laughter between cast members showed a strong sense of camaraderie throughout production.
It’s a reminder that the most heartbreaking moments audiences see on-screen are often crafted by actors working together with incredible professionalism — and sometimes sharing a laugh before the next take.