Jurnee Smollett Gained 20 Lbs for 'Smoke' Character With 'Body Dysmorphia'

Jurnee Smollett Gained 20 lbs Of Muscle To Make ‘Smoke’ Role “Feel More Truthful”

Jurnee Smollett's latest role in the Apple TV+ series 'Smoke' required a little extra character work in the gym.

Jurnee Smollett Gained 20 Lbs for 'Smoke' Character With 'Body Dysmorphia'

Jurnee Smollett isn’t afraid to push the limits for a role — which was the case when she gained 20 pounds for the part of Michelle Calderone on Smoke. “I was really drawn to this character, Michelle, and when I met [creator] Dennis [Lehane], he said to me something that struck with me and really was my way into her,” Smollett, 38, recalled to People in an interview published on Wednesday, July 30. “He said, ‘We all say we want to be happy, and y…

Jurnee Smollett Says She Gained 20 lbs. to Play a Former Marine in Smoke

"I knew physically that Michelle needed to have more of a muscular presence than I personally did," Smollett tells PEOPLE of her transformation for 'Smoke'Sela Shiloni for The Hollywood Reporter; Robert Falconer/Apple TV+ Jurnee Smollett; Smollett in 'Smoke'NEED TO KNOWIn an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Jurnee Smollett shares how she mentally and physically prepared for her role as a marine-turned-detective in the new series SmokeThe actress…

Jurnee Smollett Gained 20 Pounds Of Muscle For Her 'Smoke' Role—Here's Her Exact Workout Plan

The 38-year-old actor lifted heavy with trainer Jeanette Jenkins to bulk up to portray a former Marine in her new Apple TV+ series, Smoke.

‘Smoke’ Star Gained 20 Lbs To Display ‘Truthful’ Character Portrayal

‘She's a loner. She's a lone wolf. And so, yeah, she has a little bit of body dysmorphia.’