The scene being filmed was an emotionally charged one. Roberts and McGregor, playing her estranged husband Bill Fordham, walked hand-in-hand toward a dock under the guidance of a sheriff. The tense moment culminated in Barbara confronting the grim task of identifying a dead body—her missing father, the alcoholic patriarch of the Weston family. When the sheet was lifted, Roberts collapsed into tears, delivering a performance both raw and hysterical, leaning into McGregor’s arms as the camera captured her devastation.
For onlookers, the difference between Roberts the glamorous Hollywood icon and Roberts the grieving Barbara Weston was astonishing. Her ability to dissolve into a character so completely is one of the reasons she remains one of the most respected actresses of her generation.
Yet, despite the heaviness of the scene, the mood between takes was far lighter. At one point, Roberts was seen laughing heartily with co-star Julianne Nicholson, who appeared to be pointing out something amusing. It was a stark contrast: one moment consumed by grief for the camera, the next breaking into laughter with her castmates. That ability to shift seamlessly between emotional extremes seemed to highlight Roberts’ professionalism and comfort on set.
Nicholson, best known for her work on Boardwalk Empire, also embraced the understated, unglamorous costuming for the film, wearing a blue shirt and brown flared trousers with her hair pulled back into a simple ponytail. The cast, it seemed, collectively leaned into the realism demanded by the story.
The star-studded ensemble for August: Osage County included some of Hollywood’s finest. Alongside Roberts, McGregor, and Nicholson were Benedict Cumberbatch as Little Charles Aiken and the legendary Meryl Streep as Violet Weston, the domineering matriarch of the family. The film, based on Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play, was already attracting significant attention even before its release thanks to the weight of its cast.
Behind the scenes, casting for the project had seen its own share of changes. Renée Zellweger and Andrea Riseborough were at one point considered for key roles. Riseborough was initially cast but ultimately withdrew due to scheduling conflicts, with Juliette Lewis stepping in to play Karen Weston. Meanwhile, Chloë Grace Moretz auditioned for the role of Jean Fordham but lost out to Abigail Breslin, who ultimately took the part. The final ensemble combined seasoned veterans with younger talents, promising a rich dynamic onscreen.
Roberts’ decision to strip away all glamour for Barbara Weston spoke volumes about her devotion to the craft. At the time of filming, she was balancing her demanding career with life as a mother of three, raising her children with her husband, cinematographer Daniel Moder. Yet on set, she channeled all her focus into portraying a woman caught in the chaos of a dysfunctional family unraveling under the weight of tragedy.
The contrast between her “everywoman” appearance in the film and the Julia Roberts audiences were accustomed to seeing underscored the story’s emotional realism. Roberts’ Barbara was not meant to be glamorous but relatable: a woman caught between heartbreak, anger, and resilience as she navigates the fallout of her father’s disappearance and death.
For fans, the images of Roberts in unflattering jeans and layered tops, her hair left limp and ordinary, may have been surprising. But for Roberts herself, it was another chance to prove her versatility. Her career has long been defined not just by beauty or charm, but by the depth she brings to characters who demand emotional honesty. In August: Osage County, she leaned into that fully, reminding audiences why she has endured for decades as one of Hollywood’s most bankable and respected actresses.
Though the intensity of her performance brought her to tears during filming, Roberts was quick to return to warmth and camaraderie between takes. That balance of professionalism and levity helped set the tone for a cast tasked with delivering one of the most emotionally grueling stories adapted for the screen.
By the time cameras stopped rolling, it was clear that August: Osage County would be more than another line in Roberts’ already glittering filmography. It was a chance to show audiences—and perhaps herself—that after decades in the industry, she could still surprise us.
Stripped of glamour, Julia Roberts reminded the world that true beauty lies in authenticity, and true artistry lies in fearlessly embracing roles that challenge comfort and expectation.