In a startling revelation that contrasts sharply with the on-screen content, the director of Matt Smith's latest television project has described filming one of its most disturbing sequences as 'really fun'.
The six-part Sky series 'The Death of Bunny Munro', which launched in November 2025, has left audiences reeling with its uncompromising portrayal of a deeply flawed protagonist. Based on Nick Cave's 2009 novel, the drama follows travelling salesman Bunny Munro, played by Smith, as he navigates life after his wife's suicide with his young son in tow.
A Shocking Scene With Unexpected Filming Experience
One particular scene that has generated significant discussion occurs during the funeral of Bunny's wife, Libby, portrayed by Sarah Greene. While the funeral service proceeds, the titular character retreats to the church bathrooms to masturbate.
Despite the sequence's disturbing nature, director Isabella Eklöf shared a surprising perspective during the London premiere. 'There were some scenes that were difficult and very emotionally charged, but that wasn't one of them,' the Swedish filmmaker told Metro.
Eklöf elaborated on the unexpectedly light atmosphere during filming: 'That was a really fun scene to shoot. We shot it on the second-to-last day, and, by that time, we knew each other so well, so we just went into the bathroom and watched him masturbate. Easy and fun.'
Exploring Dark Themes and Flawed Characters
The series pulls no punches in depicting Bunny Munro as a truly repulsive character, driven primarily by base instincts and lust. Metro's senior TV reporter Asyia Iftikhar awarded the drama 4.5 stars, describing Bunny as navigating the world with 'the mindset of a scammy businessman from the 80s who smells of cigars and two-day-old sex'.
Smith himself has acknowledged the challenge of portraying such an 'appalling' character but expressed his relish in exploring the tortured psyche. The narrative follows Bunny as he attempts to connect with his son while simultaneously destroying his own life and any potential for healthy relationships.
According to Iftikhar's review, the series offers 'a stark commentary on the awful consequences of generational trauma and how society fails lost men', with women suffering as a result.
Creative Collaboration and Moral Urgency
Eklöf discussed her directorial approach, particularly regarding the chemistry between Smith and young actor Rafa, who plays Bunny Jr. 'I take a step back and let them do their thing,' she explained. 'Rafa and Matt have wonderful chemistry. They were both very impressed with each other, and they almost wanted to impress each other.'
The director described Cave's source material as a 'wonderful, passionate book about how bad things can go if left unchecked' and emphasised the need for what she considers a 'deeply moral story' in contemporary television.
'[On TV] there's been too much irony, what ifs, grey areas and, yes, it is all grey areas, but also there is right and wrong, there is good and evil, and we need to address it,' Eklöf stated, highlighting the series' moral framework.
She ultimately characterised the show as 'a trip [that] ends with the devil', mirroring Bunny's own descent as he peddles beauty products to unsuspecting women while grappling with his demons.
'The Death of Bunny Munro' is available to stream on Sky and NOW.
