Aidan Turner has returned to filming his new historical drama Leonardo, as he got to work on set on Thursday.
The Poldark star, 37, transformed into Leonardo da Vinci while shooting scenes in the medieval town Viterbo, Italy, with co-star Carlos Cuevas.
Transforming into the the Italian Renaissance artist, Aidan looked unrecognisable as he sported a bushy bear and long wavy locks to get into his role.
In character: Aidan Turner transformed into Leonardo da Vinci by sporting long locks and a bushy beard as he got to work on set of his new historical drama in Viterbo, Italy, on Thursday
Aidan wore a dark blue ruched tunic that had elaborate button detailing, long puffy sleeves, and a small black belt.
His outfit was complete with a pair of black breeches and matching knee-high boots which helped him embody the artist.
The actor could be seen perusing the streets of the Italian city while drawing in a small notebook as he was followed by his co-star.
Crew on set and the show’s director could be seen wearing masks while working, and they could be seen chatting with the actors in between takes.
In character: The actor could be seen perusing the streets of the Italian city while drawing in a small notebook as he was followed by his co-star Carlos Cuevas
Protected: Crew on set and the show’s director could be seen wearing masks while working, and they could be seen chatting with the actors in between takes
The show charts the artist’s life from childhood to becoming one of the world’s most beloved geniuses of art and science.
Born in 1452, Leonardo is one of the greatest individuals of the last millennium, he is known primarily for his contributions to the art world, including paintings like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.
During the Rennaisance he dabbled in invention, painting, sculpting, architecture, science, music, mathematics, engineering, literature, anatomy, geology, astronomy, botany, writing, history, and cartography.
Of the era: Aidan wore a dark blue ruched tunic that had elaborate button detailing, long puffy sleeves, and a small black belt
Plot: The show charts the artist’s life from childhood to becoming one of the world’s most beloved geniuses of art and science (pictured Aidan’s co-star Carlos)
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show will ‘unlock the mystery’ behind Da Vinci’s genius as well as explore a tantalising secret in his life.
Leonardo was created by The Man In The High Castle showrunner Frank Spotnitz and Sherlock writer Steve Thompson, the show will be directed by Daniel Percival and Alexis Sweet.
Speaking about the show, Frank admitted it was ‘both a challenge and an honour’ to portray Da Vinci’s life on the silver screen.
In a statement, he said: ‘It’s both a challenge and an honour to dramatize the life of one of the most fascinating people who ever lived.
Icon: Born in 1452, Leonardo is one of the greatest individuals of the last millennium, he is known primarily for his contributions to the art world, including paintings like the Mona Lisa
‘Leonardo is constantly surprising, and despite his fame remains an enigma more than 500 years after his death.
‘We’ve uncovered sometimes little-noticed clues about Leonardo’s life and pieced them together in a puzzle that attempts to reveal the humanity behind the genius.’
While Luca Bernabei, CEO of Lux Vide who have produced the drama, added in his own statement: ‘Leonardo’s story invites us to believe in humanity, in its extraordinary abilities and the possibility of looking to the future beyond those horizons that today appear as overwhelming obstacles.’
Leonardo is currently set for release in 2021, but has yet to find a distributor in either the UK or the USA.
WHO WAS LEONARDO DA VINCI?
Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci, more commonly Leonardo da Vinci or simply Leonardo, is one of the greatest individuals of the last millenium.
The poly math was a driving force behind the Renaissance and dabbled in invention, painting, sculpting, architecture, science, music, mathematics, engineering, literature, anatomy, geology, astronomy, botany, writing, history, and cartography.
He has been attributed with the development of the parachute, helicopter and tank.
He was born in what is modern-day Italy in 1452 and died at the age of 67 in France.
After being born out of wedlock the visionary worked in Milan, Rome, Bologna and Venice.
His most recognisable works include the Mona Lisa, the Last Supper, Vitruvian Man.
Another piece of artwork, dubbed the Salvator Mundi, sold for a world record $450.3 million (£343 million) at a Christie’s auction in New York in 2017.