When it comes to the world of film, wigs are absolutely everywhere. Without wigs, it would be virtually impossible for actors to achieve the right look for period dramas, epic fantasies, and other-worldly sci-fi flicks. But how often do these fabulous follicular fakes make it onto the small screen?
All. The. Time.
In the past year of television, there has been a near explosion of hairpieces and wigs — from talk shows like The View to dramas like The Good Wife and Boardwalk Empire.
Here are my favorite moments in TV wiggery from 2013:
Downton Abbey
Set among the British aristocracy in the 20’s, Downton Abbey requires the actors to sport hairstyles that — while stunningly gorgeous — aren’t exactly what you’d call modern.
L: The Dowager Countess of Grantham (Downton Abbey), R: Dame Maggie Smith
Dame Maggie Smith normally rocks a chic bob, which definitely wouldn’t have been appropriate for the Dowager Countess of Grantham. Thanks to her perfectly coiffed wig, Maggie can pull off the upper-crust look for the show without sacrificing her fashionably-fierce granny appeal.
Rob James-Collier
You might be surprised to learn who else wore a wig this last season. Rob James-Collier (the dastardly Thomas Barrow) found himself in a slight predicament.
“I was in role before we started filming this Downton. They agreed that I could shave my head for it and have a wig for this series. But I think they’d have changed their minds if they found out the price, it was about £3 to £4,000! I don’t know whether I have to pay or they do!”
Game of Thrones
From Daenarys’s intricate silver plaits to Melisandre’s perfectly fiery waves, the amount of detail that goes into the gorgeous wigs of Game of Thrones is mind-boggling.
L: Cersei Lannister R:Daenerys Targaryen
For Cersei’s wig alone, the wig maker individually knotted different colored strands of hair onto a lace cap to create a bespoke golden blonde blend.
The show’s wigs are painstakingly maintained — regularly washed, styled, and stored on blocks made in the shape of the actresses’ heads.
Actresses Lena Heady and Emilia Clarke
Furthermore. the actresses love them! Besides giving the dark haired beauties a sense of anonymity, they’ve become attached to their faux tresses.
“I keep asking to go out with the wig at night, but they insist there’s no way. They won’t let me go partying with it on! I would be killed on the spot. It’s silly to say, but when I take the wig off at the end of the day, I’m rather disappointed when I look in the mirror.” — Emilia Clarke (Daenerys)
Much like Downton Abbey, the wigs in Game of Thrones are ridiculously expensive. Since my daughter can’t spend $7000 on a wig for her GoT themed dinner party, she’s planning on grabbing a synthetic wig so she can spend more money on the costume itself.
Now if only someone could tell me where we could find some dragons….
Doctor Who
It’s a bittersweet moment for all Whovians when a Doctor’s time on the show ends. But for 11th Doctor, Matt Smith, his last moments filming the series were not only tearful, they were itchy.
After having shaved off his iconic floppy hair for his role in upcoming movie, How to Catch a Monster, Smith was stuck wearing a wig — lest the Doctor be forced into a regeneration just to explain a sudden buzz cut.
Karen Gillian & Matt Smith rocking some awesome wigs.
But Matt was in good company. Former companion Amelia Pond, played by gorgeous red-head Karen Gillian, returned for a scene that left even the hardest-hearted fan in tears.
Gillian was also forced to shave her head for an upcoming movie — Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy — but her wig was extra special. Showrunner Steven Moffat explained,
“That wig is made of her own hair, it’s just detachable now. When they cut her hair they made a wig of her own hair. Doesn’t she look lovely?”
2014 is here and we’re well on our way to a wonderfully wiggy television season. Here’s hoping for a few more shaved heads and Pixie cuts!