Domhnall Gleeson Reveals He Wore a Perm for Five Months for ‘The Incomer’

Character actors often go to great lengths to fully embody their roles, but few transformations linger as long after filming as a bad perm. Domhnall Gleeson has built a reputation for disappearing into a variety of characters, from ‘Star Wars’ villains to real-life historical figures, without ever settling into a single type.

This fall, the Irish actor showcases his versatility by juggling three distinct projects that are set to hit screens within weeks of each other: an eccentric Scottish comedy, the second season of a beloved workplace sitcom, and a Werner Herzog film premiering at Venice. Fans and critics have humorously dubbed this the “summer of Domhnall,” a nickname Gleeson finds more embarrassing than complimentary.

Amidst this packed release schedule lies a small but significant sacrifice Gleeson made for one particular role. In a recent interview, he revealed that preparing for his character in ‘The Incomer’ required him to get a perm, one so stubborn that it lasted for months after filming concluded.

In ‘The Incomer’, Gleeson plays Daniel, an awkward bureaucrat sent to evict two reclusive siblings, portrayed by Gayle Rankin and Grant O’Rourke, from their remote Scottish island home. To align with his character’s geeky, unassertive demeanor, Gleeson sought a distinct visual quality, describing his desired look as resembling “a big lollipop sort of thing,” according to The Guardian.

Clearly, getting into character came with a cost. Gleeson humorously noted that he lived with the perm for four to five months after production wrapped, pointing out that this kind of actor dedication rarely gets discussed.

Written and directed by Louis Paxton in his feature debut, ‘The Incomer’ was filmed at the northern tip of Scotland and combines surreal comedy with local folklore and stunning island scenery. Gleeson found mastering a Scottish accent particularly challenging, especially since he was performing in front of an entirely Scottish crew, which added a level of scrutiny he felt was different from his previous accent work.

Beyond the physical transformation, Gleeson also touched on the emotional core of the film, describing his character as just as lonely as the isolated siblings he’s tasked with relocating. This theme of isolation and acceptance runs throughout the narrative, providing the film’s quirky comedy with a more grounded emotional depth beneath its folklore-rich setting.

‘The Incomer’ is just one part of Gleeson’s current lineup. He also returns for the second season of ‘The Paper’, the mockumentary sitcom from Greg Daniels set at a struggling Ohio newspaper, where he plays an idealistic editor trying to keep a dying local news operation afloat.

Completing his fall roster is Werner Herzog’s ‘Bucking Fastard’, a film based on the true story of twin sisters who did everything together, which will premiere at the Venice Film Festival. Gleeson described the shoot as brief but impactful, revealing that he began to suspect his character was loosely inspired by Herzog himself after hearing the director recount personal stories that closely mirrored scenes in the script.

Gleeson has also unexpectedly found himself in the pop culture spotlight this year for a completely different reason: starring in Taylor Swift’s music video for “Opalite.” This opportunity arose after a lighthearted exchange on “The Graham Norton Show,” where Gleeson jokingly expressed his hope to appear in one of Swift’s videos, only to receive an official invitation two weeks later.

With the perm, the accent work, and an unexpected pop star cameo, Gleeson’s current slate of projects illustrates an actor willing to fully commit to whatever a role demands, no matter how uncomfortable the aftermath may be. ‘The Incomer’ is now showing in UK cinemas, while Season 2 of ‘The Paper’ premieres on Sky and NOW on September 10.

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