'Sense8' Star Jamie Clayton Unleashes First Glimpse of 'Hellraiser' Role
Openly trans actor Jamie Clayton ("Sense8") has taken the mantle... and the pins... of the classic "Hellraiser" baddie for Hulu's upcoming movie. Clayton tweeted the first terrifying image of herself in the role of the Hell Priest, a.k.a. Pinhead, AV Club reported.
"FIRST OFFICIAL PIC" Clayton tweeted on Sept. 1, sharing a sinister, darkly-lit portrait of her character in the film, which is due to hit Hulu on Oct. 7.
The image Clayton posted is "the first look at her in costume," entertainment outlet detailed, adding: "The pins are one thing, but those black eyes are next level."
The same image appeared in an interview director David Brucker gave Entertainment Weekly, in which he clarified that the new film is not a "reboot" in the usual sense, but rather "a new story in the 'Hellraiser' universe."
Still, this "new story" boasts a riff on an iconic character. Pinhead is the leader of the demonic Cenobites, and a creature that the unsuspecting protagonist of the new movie (played by Odessa A'zion) is destined to encounter thanks to a puzzle box with the power to open a passage to an infernal realm
"It's the tale of a young woman, who's struggling with addiction and compulsive behavior, that comes in contact accidentally with the box and unfortunately begins to dabble with it," Bruckner disclosed to EW. "And chaos ensues."
The original Pinhead was played by Doug Bradley, who has given the pins up... er, thumbs up to his successor in the role.
"Contrary to any rumors, I am fully supportive of your casting and looking forward to your performance!" Bradley tweeted to Clayton, AV Club said. The OG Pinhead added: "Peace and Pain, Doug."
Fans may wonder how closely the new Pinhead resembles Bradley's incarnation; Bruckner assured EW that Clayton's performance would not be a matter of mimicry.
"We didn't want to do a Doug Bradley impression, we just didn't think that's possible to do," the director said. "There will be suffering, but you're going to get a sense of what Pinhead's desires might be in a way that hits a little different."
Also different: At least one new Cenobite, a character the filmmaker called "The Masque." Sounds like he will fit right in!