Those behind the Emmy-nominated, hit drama Bridgerton are now mourning one of their own, as crew member Marc Pilcher, who acted as the hair and makeup designer for Season 1, has now died. Pilcher, who was 53, had just won an Emmy for his work on the show, and now Shonda Rhimes and others are paying tribute to him and his work.
According to Variety, Marc Pilcher contracted COVID-19 after attending the Emmy Awards ceremony three weeks ago. He was double vaccinated and had no known underlying heath conditions, and despite testing negative on multiple occasions so that he could travel to Los Angeles from his home in the U.K. for the ceremony, became sick shortly after returning home. His condition worsened quickly, and he died on Sunday. Here's what Shonda Rhimes had to say about Pilcher upon learning of the sad news:
The passing of Marc Pilcher is beyond words. I will forever be in awe of the incredible hairstyling and makeup work that he brought to Bridgerton. My heart goes out to his loved ones as we lost him way too soon.October 4, 2021
Anyone who watched Bridgerton will know that Pilcher's Emmy for the show was very well deserved. While we all enjoyed the love stories, characters, and dialogue of the series, as a historical show there were a lot of details involved in making sure the cast of Bridgerton looked like they were gallivanting about Regency-era England. Pilcher was tasked with making sure the hair and makeup fit the period, and came up with some truly amazing designs. As star Nicola Coughlan said on Twitter:
It’s a tragedy that he’s been taken so young when he had so much yet to do.Please also use this as a reminder that Covid is still a very real and present danger, please get vaccinated and mask up to protect yourself and others.October 4, 2021
Pilcher was no stranger to receiving accolades for his work, and was also no stranger to designing hair and makeup for TV shows and movies set in decades past. In 2019, he was nominated for an Academy Award for his hair styling work on the film Mary Queen of Scots, which starred Margot Robbie and Saoirse Ronan. Pilcher also worked on Downton Abbey, and won three Hollywood Makeup Artist & Hairstyling Guild Awards, one each for his work on each historical series / movie.
Coughlan's post was shared on Instagram by her fellow Bridgerton star, Phoebe Dynevor, who added a simple "At a loss for words" to her comments. Coughlan ended her tribute by saying "Rest in Peace Marc" and using a heart emoji.
Pilcher began his career in theater, and began working in TV and film in the early 2000s. During his time in the industry, he worked with a number of beloved stars, including Madonna, Sir Ian McKellen, Ralph Fiennes, Dame Judi Dench, Michelle Williams, Emily Blunt, and many others. His work will soon be seen in Matthew Vaughn’s second sequel in the Kingsman film franchise, The King’s Man.
Marc Pilcher is survived by his friends, family, and his pet cockapoo, Yuri. It's obvious that he and his talents will be missed, and our thoughts go out to all of his loved ones at this very difficult time.
