The 80s-era drama “Physical” on Apple TV+ centres on Sheila Rubin, a housewife who is fed up with her life and her husband while also battling an eating issue and a toxic voice in her brain. Sheila seeks solace in the world of fitness and aerobics. She first gains a sense of power and purpose from it, which aids in her escape from the dredge she appears to be trapped in. But soon she becomes a trainer and spends her life around aerobics.
Sheila’s personal life becomes more challenging as her profession soars. Her eating disorder worsens as a result of all the ups and downs in her life, which forces her to exercise more and more. Many people believe that her sleek physique is a result of aerobics, but the reality is far more sinister. Sheila eats very little at first, but then she binges and then purges herself of everything she consumed.
Sheila regularly hears criticism from her inner voice for being overweight, which makes her more aware of her weight. An actor must adjust emotionally and physically to play a part where the character cares so much about their weight and appearance. Here is information you should be aware of if you’re wondering if Rose Byrne lost weight in order to play Sheila. Spoilers follow.
Did Rose Byrne Lose Weight to Play Sheila Rubin?
Sheila’s physical appearance becomes a factor in why people choose to follow her and purchase her workout DVDs in “Physical.” In one scene, Sheila’s friend Greta reprimands her for spreading a lie after learning that Sheila’s weight reduction was caused by her eating condition. The programme focuses on the debate surrounding diet and fitness through this and many other means. To make that appear on TV, Rose Byrne had to conform to Sheila’s mould. Byrne may have shed a few pounds to portray Sheila, based on her appearance on the show, but she has avoided mentioning it in interviews.
The piece centres on Sheila’s battle with bulimia, and Byrne spoke with others who could provide further insight into this experience in order to prepare for the part. I did extensive research. I chatted with others seeking recovery. She stated, “I spoke to a great young woman who worked in an ED recovery centre and was with individuals in recovery every day and all of the behaviours. Byrne was able to put the character in context thanks to the fact that the show is inspired in part on the experiences of creator and writer Annie Weisman with bulimia. She spoke at length with Weisman about it and how it relates to Sheila’s narrative.
Byrne needs to improve on the aerobics programme as well. She collaborated with the choreographer of the show to showcase Sheila’s progression as an aerobics instructor and how it appeared in her routine. “Sheila, the character I portray, is on a journey in this show, therefore the routines must initially appear shaky as she gradually acquires strength and confidence. That was challenging for me personally because I hadn’t been doing any cardio. Although enjoyable. I thoroughly enjoyed the training. I can understand how that could become compulsive,” Byrne continued.
It was one thing to learn the physically demanding exercises, but quite another to wear the constricting leotards. She “just fit me within an inch of my life,” said our costume designer. It was tailored to my body form down to the last millimetre, she claimed. But she cherished the entire procedure. She found the emotional side of the character more difficult than the physical. “What was more difficult was finding the teacher in Sheila because she becomes this fitness leader, and like any great fitness personal guru, they have a way to cultivate a following, and figuring that out was challenging,” she added.
Sheila’s inner voice and tribulations became so exhausting to Byrne since she was so immersed in her character that they began to think about her own life. “By the time the film was over, I was suffering nightmares and had to leave the set. It was beginning to have a negative impact on my subconscious. In the darkness. I cherish Rory. Thank God, as a stand-up comedian, he would have made everyone laugh every day and brought joy to the set. But by the time it was all through, I did feel like I had to leave that house,” she admitted. In light of everything said above, it is evident that Byrne put a lot of effort into bringing Sheila to the screen, whether it be through her outward appearance or her ongoing internal torment.
