Jacob Elordi Shares a Profound Weight-Loss Journey for His Latest Role

Jacob Elordi, the 27-year-old actor known for his role in Euphoria, has opened up about his unconventional and deeply transformative experience of losing weight for his latest project. Speaking at a press conference during the Berlin Film Festival, Elordi revealed that preparing for his role in the upcoming Amazon Prime series The Narrow Road to the Deep North was not just a physical challenge but also an emotionally profound one. Directed by Justin Kurzel, the series required Elordi to shed a significant amount of weight to portray a prisoner of war, a role that pushed him to his limits in more ways than one.

Elordi described the experience as one that brought a sense of peace and camaraderie among the cast. “There was a peace that sort of came over all of us,” he said, highlighting how the shared struggle of preparing for their roles created a deep bond. “You kind of reach a level of love that goes beyond what you’re used to, because everything gets stripped away, and you come down to the bare bones of, ‘Is my mate OK? Am I OK? How can I help? Do you want a jelly bean?” This sense of unity and primal connection, as Elordi put it, became a defining aspect of their time on set.

The actor also reflected on his motivation for taking on the role, despite its physically demanding nature. “I really am just a superfan who is kind of following his heart,” he admitted. Elordi emphasized that his interest in the project wasn’t driven by fame or fortune but by a desire to capture the kind of profound emotions that resonate deeply with audiences. “It’s to try and capture that impossible feeling that we all have when we see something that’s of substance to us,” he said, underscoring his commitment to meaningful storytelling.

Director Justin Kurzel echoed Elordi’s sentiments during the press conference, praising the cast for their dedication and sacrifice. “The boys made an incredible sacrifice to lose an enormous amount of weight” for their roles, he said. Kurzel also highlighted the profound impact of this transformation on the set, describing it as “incredibly powerful in terms of what it felt like on set and the connection they all had.” The physical and emotional toll of the roles brought the cast closer together, creating a palpable sense of authenticity and connection that transcended the script.

The Narrow Road to the Deep North is based on Richard Flanagan’s award-winning novel of the same name and follows the life of Dorrigo Evans, a medical officer played by Elordi, who is captured and forced to work on the Thai-Burma railway during World War II. The series explores Evans’ journey over several decades, from his time as a soldier and prisoner to his later life as a war hero, surgeon, and reluctant celebrity. Alongside his professional struggles, the character is also haunted by the memory of an affair with his uncle’s wife, Amy, played by Odessa Young. The series boasts an impressive cast, including Ciarán Hinds, Olivia DeJonge, and Simon Baker, ensuring a rich and nuanced portrayal of the novel’s complex themes.

Elordi’s journey for The Narrow Road to the Deep North serves as a testament to his dedication as an actor and his willingness to push boundaries for the sake of his craft. His experience Losing weight for the role was not just a physical transformation but a deeply human one, marked by camaraderie, introspection, and a shared commitment to storytelling. As the series prepares to premiere, audiences can expect a powerful and emotional exploration of resilience, love, and the enduring impact of war, brought to life by Elordi and the talented cast.