It may not surprise you to learn that Orange Is the New Black skinhead Helen is not a skinhead in real life. However, the process that actress Francesca Curran goes through to transform into her character is pretty striking, and her real-life self could not be any more different.
A post shared by Francesca Curran (@francesca_curran) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
The actress says she is "so feminine" in real life, so playing violent white supremacist Helen is a big contrast to what she is used to.
Francesca's makeup process takes longer than any other character's, with the star explaining to Insider (opens in new tab): "I'd come in, in the morning, and I was always the first person in and the last person out of the make-up chair. I would see the whole cast come and go."
A post shared by Francesca Curran (@francesca_curran) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
As well as having her head shaved every day of shooting to apply tattoos, she also has makeup done to look older—Francesca herself is 24—as well as makeup on her teeth to make them look dirty.
The actress notes that they have whittled it down from three-and-a-half hours, which is how long it took to transform her when she started, continuing: "I have usually three people working on my tattoos at one given time. So, they get it done, in I'd say, about an hour."
A post shared by Francesca Curran (@francesca_curran) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
"I tried to count [how many star tattoos the character has] one day. We kept losing count. I have so many individual stars on my face. So, it's like, oh my gosh, maybe 20 to 30 stars on my face, and then I've got two to three, maybe two to three, three to four on each arm. Then I've got one on my neck, I've got three on my head."
She added of her transformation: "Even fans of the show coming up to me in real life will say, 'Are you sure it's you?' And I'm like, 'Yeah, I'm positive.'
A post shared by Francesca Curran (@francesca_curran) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
"It's kind of fun because I'll sometimes be out to lunch with the other girls on the show, and they'll be getting recognized, and then they'll [fans] say to me, 'Who are you?'"
"And you know, then it becomes a long, long wave of 'No you're not.' And, I'm like, 'Okay.'"
Orange Is the New Black season five is streaming now on Netflix.
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook (opens in new tab) for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
-
The Best Rain Boots, According to Fashion Editors
Stay dry *and* look cute!
By Julia Marzovilla
-
Mexico City, A Vibrant Cultural Hot Spot, Is the Perfect Travel Destination
This epicenter of art, history, and food should be on every culture enthusiast's bucket list.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
Can Light Therapy Get Rid of My Acne?
Blue and red light are where it’s at.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 75 Best K-Dramas You'll Be Completely Hooked On
Wait, how is it already 2 a.m.?
By Quinci LeGardye
-
Selena Gomez Revealed Meryl Streep Is Joining 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 3
Fans are losing it.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Sophia Brown on Joining the World of ‘The Witcher: Blood Origin’
The actress opens up about the “surreal process” of playing the Lark in the Netflix fantasy prequel.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
'Ginny & Georgia' Season 2: Everything We Know
Netflix owes us answers after that ending.
By Zoe Guy
-
The Cast of 'The Crown' Season 5: Your Guide
The Mountbatten-Windsors have been recast—again.
By Andrea Park
-
Who Is Hasnat Khan, Princess Diana’s Boyfriend on Season 5 of ‘The Crown’?
Di’s friends have said she referred to the doctor as “the love of her life.”
By Andrea Park
-
Who Is Penelope "Penny" Knatchbull?
She and Prince Philip strike up an unlikely friendship throughout the fifth season of 'The Crown.'
By Andrea Park
-
'The Crown' Season 5: Everything We Know
The bombshell fifth season just dropped on Netflix.
By Andrea Park