Actors Who Were Forced to Hide Their Pregnancies During Filming Using Clever Tricks

Filming a movie or television show requires months of commitment and sometimes life happens in the middle of production. Directors and costume designers often have to get creative when a lead actor becomes pregnant during a shoot. Productions utilize everything from strategically placed props to careful camera angles to conceal a growing baby bump from the audience. The following actors managed to deliver memorable performances while secretly navigating the challenges of pregnancy on set.

Gal Gadot

The Israeli actor famously filmed reshoots for the superhero blockbuster ‘Wonder Woman’ while she was five months pregnant. The costume department cut a large section out of the front of her suit and replaced it with bright green cloth. This allowed the visual effects team to digitally remove her baby bump in post-production. She performed rigorous action sequences while the crew carefully monitored her safety and comfort. Her commitment ensured the film met its release date without compromising the visual quality of the character.

Scarlett Johansson

Filming for ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ became complicated when this star announced she was expecting her first child. The production team fast-tracked her scenes to capture as much footage as possible before she began to show significantly. They eventually hired three stunt doubles who looked similar to the actor to handle wide shots and action sequences. Director Joss Whedon utilized close-up shots and strategically placed obstacles to hide her midsection during dialogue scenes. The final cut seamlessly blends the actor and her doubles to maintain the illusion of the Black Widow character.

Kerry Washington

The hit political thriller ‘Scandal’ faced a challenge when its lead actor became pregnant during the third season. The production team decided against writing the pregnancy into the show and instead chose to hide it. Viewers can spot her character Olivia Pope constantly standing behind lamps and high-backed chairs or holding large folders. The camera crew also relied heavily on tight shots that focused solely on her face to avoid showing her changing figure. The season was eventually shortened to accommodate her maternity leave.

Courteney Cox

The writers of ‘Friends’ had already established that the character Monica Geller was unable to conceive a child. This plot point made it impossible to write the actor’s real-life pregnancy into the final season of the show. Costume designers dressed her in baggy shirts and oversized jackets to conceal her growing belly. She was frequently filmed sitting down at the coffee house or standing behind the kitchen island in her apartment. The production relied on these practical tricks to maintain the emotional continuity of the series finale.

Julie Bowen

The pilot episode for ‘Modern Family’ was filmed when the actor playing Claire Dunphy was heavily pregnant with twins. She used a variety of comical props including laundry baskets and cereal boxes to block her stomach from the camera. The script also had her character folding clothes or standing behind kitchen counters for the majority of her scenes. The energetic nature of the pilot helped mask the fact that she was expecting. Her performance secured her the role and the show went on to become a massive success.

Sarah Jessica Parker

The fifth season of ‘Sex and the City’ was cut short to eight episodes to accommodate the pregnancy of its main star. The costume department dressed her character Carrie Bradshaw in babydoll dresses and flowing tops that were fashionable yet concealing. Filming angles were adjusted to avoid profile shots that would reveal her silhouette. The writers chose to embrace the loose clothing trend of the early 2000s rather than writing the pregnancy into the script. This allowed the show to maintain its focus on the dating life of the protagonist.

Cobie Smulders

During the fourth season of ‘How I Met Your Mother’ the actor playing Robin Scherbatsky became pregnant at the same time as her co-star Alyson Hannigan. The writers chose not to include her pregnancy in the storyline because her character was adamant about not wanting children. She was often seen holding large purses or sitting behind desks to hide her condition. The production team used nearly every classic television trope to obscure her midsection from the audience. She managed to continue filming right up until she gave birth.

Ellen Pompeo

The star of the medical drama ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ grew pregnant during the sixth season of the long-running show. The writers created a storyline where her character Meredith Grey donates part of her liver to her estranged father. This plot device allowed the actor to spend most of her scenes lying in a hospital bed covered by thick blankets. The showrunners were able to give her character a reason for reduced physical activity while hiding her bump. This clever narrative shift allowed production to continue without a hiatus.

January Jones

The writers of ‘Mad Men’ decided to incorporate the physical changes of this actor into the storyline without acknowledging a pregnancy. They wrote a plot arc where her character Betty Draper gains a significant amount of weight due to stress and a thyroid condition. The makeup department used prosthetics on her face and neck to match her changing body shape. This approach allowed the actor to perform naturally without hiding behind furniture or props. The storyline added a new layer of depth to the character’s emotional struggles.

Claire Danes

Filming the second season of the intense drama ‘Homeland’ required this actor to hide her pregnancy while playing a CIA officer. The production team used digital editing to remove her belly from certain shots when practical effects were insufficient. She filmed physically demanding scenes and emotional breakdowns while seven months pregnant. The director relied on shadowy lighting and carefully constructed camera angles to maintain the suspenseful tone of the show. Her performance remained sharp and intense despite the physical challenges of the shoot.

Lena Headey

The production of ‘Game of Thrones’ had to navigate the pregnancy of the actor playing Cersei Lannister during the first season. The costume department used the heavy fabrics and wide sleeves of the medieval-style gowns to their advantage. She was often filmed sitting at tables or standing with her hands clasped in front of her waist. A body double was used for a crucial scene where her character had to walk naked through the streets in a later season. The intricate wardrobe helped conceal her condition without breaking the immersion of the fantasy world.

Penélope Cruz

The Spanish actor was pregnant while filming the action-heavy sequel ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’. The costume designer created a corset that was adjustable to accommodate her growing belly while maintaining the period silhouette. Her sister was brought in as a body double for wide shots and sword-fighting sequences. The director used close-ups of her face for dialogue scenes and switched to her sister for physically demanding moments. This family collaboration allowed the film to complete production on schedule.

Kate Winslet

The filming of the dystopian sci-fi movie ‘Divergent’ took place while the actor playing the villainous Jeanine was five months pregnant. She was constantly filmed holding an iPad or a clipboard to cover her stomach during her scenes. The costume department designed her futuristic suits with dark colors and structured lines to minimize the appearance of her bump. She insisted on doing many of her own stunts despite her condition. The strategic blocking and camera work successfully hid her pregnancy from the audience.

Halle Berry

The actor discovered she was pregnant just before filming began for ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’. Her role as Storm required a skintight leather suit that left no room for hiding a baby bump. The director fast-tracked her scenes to the first two weeks of production to capture her before she started showing. Production used storm effects and fog to obscure her midsection in later shots. Her screen time was limited compared to previous installments but her presence remained integral to the film.

Emily Blunt

The musical fantasy ‘Into the Woods’ featured this actor as the Baker’s Wife while she was expecting her first child. The costume designer raised the waistline of her period costumes and added layers of texture to distract the eye. She was frequently positioned behind trees or the cow character during musical numbers. The irony of her character desperately wishing for a child while the actor was actually pregnant was not lost on the cast. The clever blocking ensured her condition was never apparent on screen.

Reese Witherspoon

The period drama ‘Vanity Fair’ required the lead actor to wear elaborate 19th-century empire waist gowns. The high waistline of the Regency era fashion was perfectly suited to hide her five-month pregnancy. The director used dark lighting and lush set pieces to provide additional cover when necessary. She was often filmed standing behind large pieces of furniture or seated in carriages. The period-accurate clothing made concealing the pregnancy much easier than in a modern setting.

Isla Fisher

The comedy film ‘Burke and Hare’ is a period piece where the lead actor had to wear tight corsets. The production shifted the schedule to film her scenes first before her pregnancy became too obvious. Costume designers eventually switched her to loose peasant blouses and high-waisted skirts as the shoot progressed. She utilized carrying baskets of laundry and standing behind market stalls to hide her figure. The energetic nature of the comedy allowed for blocking that masked her condition naturally.

Amy Poehler

The production of ‘Parks and Recreation’ had to adjust its schedule when the lead actor became pregnant during the second season. The writers decided to film episodes out of order to bank footage before she went on maternity leave. Her character Leslie Knope was often seen sitting behind her desk or wearing oversized park ranger jackets. The showrunners chose not to write the pregnancy into the script as it did not fit the character’s current timeline. The clever scheduling allowed the season to air without a significant break.

Angela Kinsey

The character Angela Martin in ‘The Office’ was known for her petite stature and strict professional attire. When the actor became pregnant the crew had to get creative with her placement in the office setting. She was frequently filmed sitting at her desk with files stacked high or standing behind the copier. The directors avoided side angles that would reveal the profile of her belly. Her pregnancy was eventually hidden successfully until the character became pregnant in a later season.

Keri Russell

The spy thriller ‘The Americans’ featured intense action sequences that were complicated by the lead actor’s pregnancy. The production team used winter coats and large bags to cover her midsection during outdoor scenes. She was often filmed sitting in cars or standing behind kitchen counters in the Jennings’ home. The writers also incorporated a storyline where her character suffers a serious injury to explain her reduced physical activity. This allowed the show to maintain its high stakes without revealing her condition.

Gillian Anderson

The sci-fi series ‘The X-Files’ faced a challenge when the actor playing Dana Scully became pregnant during the second season. The writers created an alien abduction storyline that removed her character from the show for several episodes. This narrative choice allowed her to go on maternity leave while adding to the show’s mythology. Before the abduction she was filmed in oversized trench coats and lab coats to hide her bump. The storyline became a pivotal moment in the series’ history.

Marcia Cross

The production of ‘Desperate Housewives’ had to hide the pregnancy of one of its lead stars during the third season. The writers crafted a storyline where her character Bree Van de Kamp fakes a pregnancy to cover up her daughter’s teen pregnancy. This meta-narrative allowed the actor to show her real belly on camera while the character claimed it was fake. Filming angles were still carefully managed when the plot required her to appear not pregnant. It was a unique instance where the pregnancy was hidden in plain sight.

Kelly Rutherford

The sophisticated drama ‘Gossip Girl’ relied on high fashion to conceal the pregnancy of the actor playing Lily van der Woodsen. She was dressed in structured coats and carried large designer handbags to block the camera’s view of her stomach. The directors utilized close-up shots during social events and parties to avoid wide angles. She was often seated during dialogue scenes to minimize the visibility of her changing shape. The character’s elegant wardrobe provided the perfect camouflage for her pregnancy.

Sarah Wayne Callies

The zombie apocalypse series ‘The Walking Dead’ is physically demanding and the actor playing Lori Grimes became pregnant during the second season. The writers chose to kill off her character in a dramatic fashion that coincided with the actor’s need for maternity leave. Before her exit she wore loose flannel shirts and layers of dirty clothing consistent with the show’s aesthetic. She was often filmed crouching or sitting to hide her silhouette. The timing of her departure served the story while accommodating her real-life needs.

Alanna Masterson

Later in ‘The Walking Dead’ another cast member became pregnant while playing the character Tara Chambler. The writers explained her absence by sending her character on a long supply run to a distant community. When she was on screen she wore oversized hoodies and carried large weapons that covered her torso. The directors used low lighting and tight framing to obscure her figure during action scenes. She eventually returned to the main storyline after her maternity leave.

Christian Serratos

The actor playing Rosita Espinosa in ‘The Walking Dead’ also had to hide a pregnancy during the filming of the show. Her character was given a tactical vest and oversized military gear to wear during her scenes. She was frequently positioned behind vehicles or barricades during shootouts to mask her body. The production team utilized a body double for the more intense stunts and combat sequences. Her character’s tactical wardrobe made it relatively easy to conceal the pregnancy.

Rosamund Pike

The filming of the action movie ‘Jack Reacher’ took place while the female lead was five months pregnant. The costume department dressed her in dark suits and trench coats to slim her silhouette. She was often filmed sitting in cars or standing behind desks in office scenes. The actor later revealed that the biggest challenge was running during the action sequences while pregnant. The dark lighting and fast-paced editing helped hide her condition effectively.

Zooey Deschanel

The sitcom ‘New Girl’ had to adapt when its quirky lead star became pregnant during the fifth season. The writers created a storyline where her character Jess serves on a sequestered jury for a month. This plot device explained her absence from several episodes while the actor was on maternity leave. Before her temporary exit she was filmed lying in bed or sitting behind tables. Megan Fox was brought in as a temporary roommate to fill the void during her absence.

Mindy Kaling

The creator and star of ‘The Mindy Project’ was pregnant during the filming of the show’s final season. The production team used every trick in the book including hiding her behind purses and computer monitors. She was often filmed from the chest up or wearing loose-fitting designer pajamas. The show’s fast-paced dialogue and vibrant set design helped distract viewers from her limited movement. She managed to complete the series without the pregnancy becoming a plot point.

Debra Messing

The sitcom ‘Will & Grace’ had to hide the pregnancy of its lead actor during the sixth season. The character Grace Adler was not pregnant so the actor was dressed in loose clothing and huge coats. She was frequently absent from episodes or appeared only in scenes where she was lying on a couch. The writers eventually sent her character on a business trip to explain her extended absence. The show continued to focus on the other three main characters until her return.

Helena Bonham Carter

The director Tim Burton had to hide the pregnancy of his partner and lead actor during the filming of ‘Sweeney Todd’. The costume designer created dresses with corsets that could be loosened at the back while maintaining the front silhouette. As filming progressed and she became more visibly pregnant the lighting became darker and moodier. She was often filmed in shadows or through windows to obscure her figure. The gothic atmosphere of the film complemented the techniques used to hide her condition.

Catherine Zeta-Jones

The crime drama ‘Traffic’ featured a storyline where the character was pregnant because the actor was pregnant in real life. However for the musical ‘Chicago’ she had to hide her condition during the intense dance numbers. The production of ‘Chicago’ was scheduled carefully to film her scenes before she showed too much. For ‘Traffic’ the director simply incorporated her real state into the narrative to add emotional weight. It showed two very different approaches to handling pregnancy on film.

Madonna

The filming of the musical ‘Evita’ was complicated when the pop star discovered she was pregnant. The costume department designed period-accurate clothing with high waists and full skirts to hide her belly. She was filmed holding large bouquets of flowers or standing on balconies with railings blocking her midsection. The director was concerned about the strain of the singing and dancing but she completed the film successfully. Her pregnancy actually helped her empathize with the emotional arc of the character.

Blake Lively

The survival thriller ‘The Shallows’ required the actor to wear a bikini for almost the entire film. She was pregnant with her second child during the reshoots for the movie. The production team used a stunt double for the wide shots and surfing sequences. Digital editing was used in post-production to smooth out her midsection in the final cut. A tactically placed surfboard was also used to cover her stomach in several scenes.

Bryce Dallas Howard

The actor was pregnant during the filming of the thriller ‘The Village’ where she played a blind woman. The costume designer utilized the multiple layers of the 19th-century costumes to conceal her figure. She was often filmed in the woods with branches and foliage blocking the camera’s view of her stomach. The physical demands of the role were adjusted to ensure her safety on the uneven terrain. The period setting provided ample opportunity to hide the pregnancy with natural elements.

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