The Danish Girl: Eddie Redmayne felt ‘vulnerable’ playing transgender pioneer Einar Wegener

The Oscar winning actor said he felt as though people were judging him when he was in character as Lili Elbe
'Exposed': Eddie Redmayne talks playing a transgender character in his latest film
Jason Merritt/Getty
Emma Powell8 December 2015
The Weekender

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Eddie Redmayne has revealed he felt “vulnerable” while in character as a transgender pioneer in The Danish Girl.

Redmayne – who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Professor Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything – plays artist Einar Wegener who became the first person to undergo gender reassignment surgery in 1930 before renaming herself Lili Elbe.

Speaking to The Sun about tackling the character he said: “It leaves you feeling very exposed and vulnerable. The set itself felt very safe when I would be walking around as Lili but there was still this sense of people watching you and feeling judged.

“Imagine what it must be like for trans women who are constantly facing such judgment as well as discrimination and violence in many cases.”

Speaking about striping naked in front of the cameras he said: “Very few actors are comfortable appearing naked, whether it’s a scene like that or where you’re naked in bed for a sex scene with someone you may only have met a few days earlier.”

Redmayne – who is tipped for an Oscar win at next year’s awards ceremony – praised his wife Hannah Bagshawe for supporting him throughout the filming process.

“I’m very grateful to have Hannah supporting me and being able to share all these moments with me.

“We went on a skiing vacation but there was no snow! It was a good way to take long walks and enjoy leisurely lunches with plenty of red wine and fondue.”

The Danish Girl is set for UK cinema release on January 1.

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