FILM

James McAvoy suffers from multiple personalities in Split, plus Taraji P Henson and Octavia Spencer in ’60s space drama Hidden Figures

James McAvoy, 37, is best-known for the blockbuster X-Men franchise, playing scientific genius Professor X. In M Night Shyamalan’s thriller, James takes on the role of Kevin, a mental patient with 23 personalities who kidnaps three young women

How hard was it to play Kevin’s multiple identities?

“It was a challenge because an audience will buy you as one character, and then you’ve got to go, forget that, now buy me as this next person. To make that transition without alienating the audience, I suppose that’s my job.”

Which character did you struggle with the most?

“Patricia, the ever-so-slightly naughty nun. She had to be a little bit over the top because she’s enjoying her time in the light. But I hated wearing heels. I didn’t really expect it to be that painful.”

Is it true you broke your hand while filming?

“Yeah, I was meant to punch a metal door with a little soft square built into it and I missed and hit the hard bit. Night says that he watched the take where I broke my hand and you can see my face go white as I try to style it out.”