Hulu's Hellraiser reboot has recently hit the streaming service. During a round of press for the film, however, actress Jamie Clayton had some insight into the difficulties of playing the iconic Cenobite known as Pinhead.
Hellraiser is a reboot of the 1987 Hellraiser film, which is itself an adaptation of Clive Barker's 1986 novella The Hellbound Heart. The franchise concerns the exploits of the Cenobites, demons who are summoned by those who solve the Lament Configuration. They seek to bring pain to all those who do so - their concept of pain being closely linked to pleasure. Pinhead, known and credited originally as simply “the Priest,” is the leader of the Cenobites. He has been portrayed on screen by three different actors: Doug Bradley, Stephan Smith Collins, and Paul T. Taylor. In Hulu's Hellraiser, he was played by actress Jamie Clayton.
Clayton spoke about the experience during an interview with Discussing Film. She acknowledged that the prosthetics involved in portraying Pinhead made the experience very tiring. She said, “I was so lucky. I have never done prosthetics before, so it was a little intimidating at first because of just how much it was, but I was in very good hands. The whole team was just so incredible. […] It’s the most taxing thing I have ever done in my life, both physically and emotionally.”
The actress stated, though, that the team involved was incredibly professional and made the process as smooth as possible for her. “But, there was a joy in it and I am incredibly honored to have been chosen to do it," she said, acknowledging that she was happy with the role even despite the extensive make-up process. "I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Ironically, it seems Clayton's experience with the arduous Pinhead make-up process reflected the philosophy of the Cenobites. Despite the pain and discomfort involved, Clayton still found joy in playing the role. Perhaps the experience even helped Clayton embody the character. The time spent in the make-up chair definitely seems to have paid off in other ways as well: Clayton looks fantastic in the Pinhead make-up and outfit.
Clayton's patience seems to have paid off in her portrayal. While Hellraiser only hit Hulu on Friday, October 7, critics have already given their mostly-positive sign-off on the adaptation. Fans of the long-running Hellraiser franchise will likely be pleased to see Pinhead brought back to life once more.
Hellraiser is available on Hulu.
Source: Discussing Film