Danny Boyle asked Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller to shave their heads in order portray the Monster (both actors switched between Frankenstein and his Monster with every show). Cumberbatch couldn't agree to it, as he was committed to Cheval de guerre (2011) and couldn't shave his hair. Miller on the other hand did agree, and therefore needed a wig when it was his turn to play Frankenstein.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller, who share the roles of Doctor Frankenstein and his creature, both went on to play modern-day incarnations of Sherlock Holmes. Cumberbatch played the title role on Sherlock (2010), while Miller played the role on Elementary (2012). Cumberbatch's series set the stories in modern-day London, while Miller's set the stories in modern-day New York City.
Applying the complete makeup for the creature took two and a half hours.
In the original staging of the production the creature first emerges from the incubator naked. In order to be televised the addition of a loin cloth was needed.