Nicholas Braun and Molly Gordon, the stars of the new murder mystery film *The Sheep Detectives*, recently shared insights into their unique filming experience, highlighting the challenges of acting without real animals. Set in the picturesque rural landscape of England, the film revolves around a flock of sheep who, drawing upon their knowledge of mystery novels, embark on a quest to solve the mysterious death of their shepherd, George, portrayed by Hugh Jackman.
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Braun, 38, and Gordon, 30, discussed their experiences during an interview with *People*. Interestingly, while the film’s narrative is centred on the adorable sheep, the actors rarely interacted with live animals during production. Instead, they found themselves working with puppets and stuffed sheep, a scenario that largely shaped their performance.
Gordon remarked, “We worked with stuffed sheep and puppets, so I didn’t really encounter a lot of live animals.” The actress revealed that she had the opportunity to hold a baby sheep during a camera test, but for the majority of the film, she acted against nothing, which posed a significant challenge. “It was mainly me alone on a mountain, kind of acting opposite nothing,” she explained. This unconventional experience endeared her to the efforts of actors who frequently perform alongside mere tennis balls during filming.
Gordon, who gained recognition through her roles in the FX and Hulu series *The Bear* and comedy films like *Theater Camp*, admitted that her prior experiences could not compare to working on *The Sheep Detectives*. Upon viewing the film after its completion, she expressed amazement at the visual effects that brought the puppets and stuffed animals to life. “It became very clear to me I had never done it on the first day…it was an exciting challenge,” she stated, adding that she felt as though she was experiencing the film alongside the audience upon its release.
In the film, Gordon plays Rebecca, the long-lost daughter of the deceased shepherd George, who returns to the village shortly after his untimely death. Braun takes on the role of Tim, a police officer who finds himself ill-equipped to handle the complexities of a murder investigation. Fortunately for Tim and Rebecca, the animated sheep, voiced by a talented cast including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O’Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, Brett Goldstein, and Rhys Darby, rise to the occasion and assist in unraveling the mystery behind George’s death.
Braun described the unique approach to visualising the sheep characters during filming, noting that the production team provided meticulously designed stuffed animal versions of each character. He also mentioned the use of life-sized cardboard cutouts to ensure that the actors could maintain an appropriate eye level while performing. “It was pretty unique in that way,” Braun commented.
Although their interactions with real sheep were minimal, the cast found creative ways to bring the story to life. Braun reflected on the experience, stating, “I’ve never had to imagine what an animal is doing on the other side of the camera—locking eyes with a sheep. It’s pretty special.” This innovative approach contributed to the film’s intriguing narrative, as the sheep not only play a significant role in the story but also add a layer of whimsy to the murder mystery.
In addition to the lead actors, *The Sheep Detectives* features a strong ensemble cast of local suspects, including Hong Chau, Emma Thompson, Kobna Holbrook-Smith, Nicholas Galitzine, Tosin Cole, and Conleth Hill, all of whom contribute to the film’s engaging storyline.
For those keen on exploring a fresh take on the murder mystery genre, *The Sheep Detectives* is currently showing in cinemas across the UK. With its combination of humour, intrigue, and the imaginative portrayal of sheep as detectives, the film invites audiences on an entertaining journey into the world of rural detective work.