KEY POINTS

  • Helen Mirren was photographed wearing facial prosthetics on the London set of "Golda"
  • She was snapped smoking cigarettes, in character, with co-star Camille Cottin
  • Director Guy Nattiv previously said Mirren melted "brilliantly" into Golda Meir's character with her incredible talent

Helen Mirren was in character when she was recently spotted on the U.K. set of the upcoming film "Golda."

In the photos obtained by Page Six, Mirren looked unrecognizable portraying former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir. The pics showed the 76-year-old actress wearing facial prosthetics on the London set of the movie to transform into the "Iron Lady" of Israeli politics.

Mirren sported a frumpy look that included a loose dress and her silver hair pulled back into a messy bun.

She was also photographed smoking cigarettes, in character, with co-star Camille Cottin. The cigarette may have been fake as Mirren previously said that one of her top life rules was no smoking or chewing tobacco.

"Golda" is set during the Yom Kippur War of 1973, when Egypt, Syria and Jordan launched a surprise attack on Israel to reclaim territory lost during the Six-Day War in 1967. The biopic will explore the responsibilities Meir faced and the decisions she took while facing infighting from her male cabinet members.

Mirren previously discussed her role as Meir, describing the late Israeli politician as a "formidable" leader.

"Golda Meir was a formidable, intransigent and powerful leader," she told The Hollywood Reporter. "It is a great challenge to portray her at the most difficult moment of her extraordinary life. I only hope I do her justice!"

The film was written by "Florence Foster Jenkins" screenwriter Nicholas Martin and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Guy Nattiv. The project is produced by Michael Kuhn for Qwerty Films, Jane Hooks and Martin.

"Golda" shoots for 6 weeks in London and on location in Israel, Deadline reported. It also stars Rami Heuberger, Lior Ashkenazi, Ellie Piercy, Ed Stoppard, Rotem Keinan, Dvir Benedek, Dominic Mafham, Ben Caplan, Kit Rakusen and Emma Davies.

Nattiv told THR that he is a longtime admirer of "the great Helen Mirren," whom he said "has melted so brilliantly into Golda Meir’s character with incredible talent, intelligence, depth and emotion, doing justice to the richness and complexity of this incredible woman."

Meanwhile, the "Good Liar" actress revealed in a previous interview with People that she enjoys getting glammed up, even putting on makeup while at home during the beginning stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Every day I put on makeup," Mirren told the outlet, noting that it had nothing to do with appeasing her husband, director Taylor Hackford. "I didn't do it for Taylor because Taylor never notices. He asks if I've got makeup on or not and doesn't really care, but he certainly doesn't notice."

Mirren shared that her husband would sometimes notice her look and comment, "Oh, you look really nice," but said she would put on makeup and dress up every day because "I enjoy it."

"I felt like I was living my life properly. So, it was actually a good experience for me," Mirren said.

Helen Mirren
Helen Mirren recently joked about being insulted by Prince Harry's "granny" statement. Pictured: Mirren departs the Martinez Hotel during the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival at on May 12, 2018 in Cannes, France. Getty Images/John Phillips