Rowan Atkinson has lifted the lid on the challenges of filming Netflix's new comedy series Man vs Baby, revealing that the infant star was actually played by multiple babies and that CGI was used to create the final performance.
The four-episode festive series, which has topped Netflix's UK chart, sees Atkinson reprise his role as Trevor Bingley from Man vs Bee. This time, Trevor becomes a school caretaker whose plans are derailed when he must care for a baby abandoned after a nativity play.
Speaking at a Q&A, Atkinson explained that identical twin babies were used due to strict filming regulations. 'You can only have a baby on set for 45 minutes [a total of two hours a day],' he said. 'We had the hero babies, and then twin crawling babies because the hero babies couldn't crawl. That's where the CGI comes in, when you implant the face of the hero baby into the crawling baby.'
Atkinson admitted that the physical comedy was less challenging than the schedule. 'You don't really get days off once you start shooting, so that wasn't easy,' he said. He also noted the difficulty of performing opposite babies who 'just sit there and stare at you' when needed to be joyful.
Director David Kerr added that there were 'some hilarious outtakes of Rowan trying to get the babies to laugh.' Atkinson praised the support staff and parents, saying, 'Because of all the tremendous support, I think we pulled it off.'
