Actress fails to go undercover as Orthodox Jew for ‘Disobedience’

Canadian actress Rachel McAdams revealed that she tried to go undercover as an Orthodox Jew to prepare for her role in the new film “Disobedience,” which tells the story of two women in a religious community in north London who become romantically involved, but was quickly discovered.

At an event at the Toronto International Film Festival, where the film premiered this week, McAdams said she attempted to go undercover in Los Angeles’ Orthodox community but “that didn’t really work out so well,” as the popular actress was quickly recognized.

McAdams said that as part of her attempt, she visited a Jewish grocery store ahead of the Jewish new year, Rosh Hashana, and shopped in a Jewish area. She also attended a Shabbat dinner, where she learned her cover had been blown when she was asked what she was doing shopping that area the day before.

Rachel Weisz as Ronit in ‘Disobedience.’ (Courtesy)

She said that the experience showed her how close knit the Orthodox community is, which McAdams described as being like “it’s own little town.”

The film, which is expected to be released in the United Kingdom next year, also stars British Jewish actress Rachel Weisz.