If You Have the Letter “M” on Your Palm, This Might Shock You

Hollywood icon Julia Roberts took a dramatic detour from her signature glamour while filming a gripping scene for the 2013 family drama August: Osage County. Dressed in a plain white shirt layered over a cream top and relaxed blue jeans, the actress fully embraced the down-to-earth look of her character, Barbara Weston — a woman caught in the emotional whirlwind of a fractured family in crisis.

With her natural brunette hair left unstyled and her makeup minimal, Roberts appeared almost unrecognizable on set as she stepped into Barbara’s troubled world. The scene in question? An emotionally heavy moment at a boat dock where her character must identify a dead body, joined by Ewan McGregor, who plays her on-screen husband, Bill Fordham.

As the pair approached the Sheriff to confirm the tragic discovery, McGregor gently held Roberts’ hand — a quiet but powerful gesture in an otherwise intense moment. Upon seeing the body, Julia's performance soared: her character collapses into tears, seeking comfort in McGregor’s arms, her grief palpable.

But in a classic behind-the-scenes twist, the mood quickly shifted between takes. The somber tone gave way to laughter, as Julia cracked up mid-shoot, joined by co-star Julianne Nicholson, who seemed to point out something that had the whole group giggling — a reminder of the camaraderie that can bloom even on emotionally taxing sets.

Roberts’ understated costume perfectly captured Barbara’s fragile mental state — far from her iconic roles like Pretty Woman. Nicholson herself was dressed in equally muted tones, sporting a tucked blue shirt and flared brown trousers, her hair pulled into a no-nonsense ponytail.

The film boasts a stellar ensemble cast including Meryl Streep as Violet Weston, Benedict Cumberbatch as Little Charles Aiken, and Juliette Lewis, who stepped in as Karen Weston after Andrea Riseborough had to exit due to scheduling conflicts.

Interesting casting tidbits include Renée Zellweger once being considered for a role and Chloë Moretz auditioning for Jean Fordham — a part that eventually went to Abigail Breslin.

Though heavy in tone, the behind-the-scenes energy was far from gloomy. Between the takes and the tears, it’s clear this cast brought not only talent but heart and humor to the screen — making August: Osage County a powerful portrayal of family, dysfunction, and resilience.