Nicholson, best known for her work on Boardwalk Empire, also embraced the understated, unglamorous costuming for the film, wearing a blue shirt and brown flared trousers with her hair pulled back into a simple ponytail. The cast, it seemed, collectively leaned into the realism demanded by the story.

The star-studded ensemble for August: Osage County included some of Hollywood’s finest. Alongside Roberts, McGregor, and Nicholson were Benedict Cumberbatch as Little Charles Aiken and the legendary Meryl Streep as Violet Weston, the domineering matriarch of the family. The film, based on Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play, was already attracting significant attention even before its release thanks to the weight of its cast.

Behind the scenes, casting for the project had seen its own share of changes. Renée Zellweger and Andrea Riseborough were at one point considered for key roles. Riseborough was initially cast but ultimately withdrew due to scheduling conflicts, with Juliette Lewis stepping in to play Karen Weston. Meanwhile, Chloë Grace Moretz auditioned for the role of Jean Fordham but lost out to Abigail Breslin, who ultimately took the part. The final ensemble combined seasoned veterans with younger talents, promising a rich dynamic onscreen.

Roberts’ decision to strip away all glamour for Barbara Weston spoke volumes about her devotion to the craft. At the time of filming, she was balancing her demanding career with life as a mother of three, raising her children with her husband, cinematographer Daniel Moder. Yet on set, she channeled all her focus into portraying a woman caught in the chaos of a dysfunctional family unraveling under the weight of tragedy.