February 16, 2025: Actor Jacob Elordi underwent a significant weight loss for his role as a prisoner of war in the upcoming series The Narrow Road to the Deep North, directed by Justin Kurzel. While the process of losing weight for the role was challenging, Elordi revealed that it wasn’t as torturous as one might expect. Speaking at a press conference during the Berlin Film Festival, he shared that the experience was “a very calming experience” for him and his fellow cast members, who bonded through the rigorous transformation.
Elordi affectionately referred to his castmates as “the lads” and described how their shared experience of losing weight brought them closer. He said, “There was a peace that sort of came over all of us. You kind of reach a level of love that goes beyond what you’re used to because everything gets stripped away.”
He explained that the entire cast was taking care of each other, creating a “primal” sense of camaraderie. “We were watching each other and taking care of each other,” Elordi said, adding that the experience was deeply moving. “I’m just really grateful to have shared that with these lads.”
The series, based on Richard Flanagan’s Booker Prize-winning novel, follows the story of Dorrigo Evans, a Japanese prisoner of war forced to work on the Thai-Burma railway, and his struggles with the trauma of war, love, and his transformation over several decades. Elordi’s involvement in such a powerful and emotional story gave him the opportunity to experience the human connection on and off-screen, which he expressed as a unique and transformative experience.
Elordi also reflected on his approach to choosing roles, stating that he follows his heart and is driven by substance rather than the pursuit of money or entertainment. He added, “I really am just a superfan who is kind of following his heart.”
The series also stars Ciarán Hinds, Odessa Young, Olivia DeJonge, and Simon Baker, with Kurzel known for his previous works such as Macbeth and Nitram.
Elordi’s recent projects showcase his versatility as an actor, with roles in Priscilla, Saltburn, Oh, Canada, and the upcoming Frankenstein, where he plays the Monster. Fans can also look forward to his lead role in Wuthering Heights alongside Margot Robbie, slated for a 2026 release.