Warning! The following article includes spoilers for the first two episodes of Apple TV+’s “Disclaimer” (currently available to stream).

Sacha Baron Cohen is known for his ability to take on different personas, ranging from bumbling Italian barbers to irreverent Kazakh journalists.

In the new Apple TV+ series “Disclaimer,” however, the “Borat” actor delivers perhaps his most understated performance, playing an exceedingly average man. At first, Robert Ravenscroft (Cohen) comes off as a supportive husband to Catherine (Cate Blanchett), a renowned journalist whose past is reignited through a controversial new novel that mirrors her own experiences. With his thick glasses, messy hair, and serious demeanor, Robert is almost unrecognizable to fans accustomed to Cohen’s comedic style.

Cohen remarks, “I’ve had a few people tell me, ‘I had no idea where you were or if you were in it at all,’” reflecting on his return to the limelight following his Oscar-nominated performance in the 2020 film “The Trial of the Chicago 7.”

This unfamiliarity was intentional, says “Disclaimer” director Alfonso Cuarón (“Roma”): “Sacha insisted on looking like someone completely different. It could not be a case of, ‘Oh, there’s Sacha Baron Cohen playing this character.’ So when viewers finally recognize him, he has already brought the character genuine depth and authenticity.”

Sacha Baron Cohen plays a flawed spouse in ‘Disclaimer’

Adapted from Renée Knight’s 2015 novel, the seven-episode “Disclaimer” unfolds as a thriller reminiscent of “The Scarlet Letter.” It follows Catherine, who faces allegations of having had an affair with a young man named Jonathan (Louis Partridge) during a trip to Italy years prior. Jonathan heroically died while saving Catherine’s young son from drowning, and his parents (Kevin Kline and Lesley Manville) retaliate by penning a scandalous novel based on the events.

In a further escalation, Jonathan’s father sends Robert explicit images of Catherine taken by his late son. Furious, Robert confronts Catherine about her alleged affair at the close of Episode 2, dropping any pretense of being the “perfect, supportive man,” Cuarón notes.

Cohen and Cuarón have been friends for over twenty years, having previously discussed the possibility of adapting a Lina Wertmüller novel. So when Cuarón began casting for “Disclaimer,” he reached out to Cohen.

Initially, “Sacha felt some intimidation stepping away from pure comedy,” Cuarón adds. “Like his characters, his instinct is often to hide behind a mask.”

Cohen’s main concern while embodying Robert was “the broad spectrum of emotions: sadness, ire, and a twisted sense of compassion all while hiding his true malice,” he explains. “Robert feels small next to his hugely successful wife. He admires her but harbors jealousy beneath the surface, even if he can’t face it. This situation allows him to flip the power dynamic and he transforms into the dominant partner.”

After a gala event honoring Catherine in the inaugural episode, Robert affectionately comments that “he’s always glad” to be her date. This was a line Cohen specifically requested be included in the script, hinting that Robert’s calm facade might hide deeper discontent.

“He delivers it with a laugh, but underneath, he’s really saying, ‘I’m your plus-one and I wish it were the other way around. I wish it was you watching me win an award,’” Cohen shares. “He finds a twisted pleasure in undermining her while pretending to enact justice. Robert is deeply convinced of his own righteousness yet remains oblivious to how cruel his actions can be.”

Cate Blanchett reflects on the ‘terrifying’ confrontation scene

During the intense final scene of the second episode, Robert confronts Catherine about her perceived betrayal and the explicit photos, criticizing her for being a distant partner and an inadequate mother to their troubled, now-adult son, Nicholas (Kodi Smit-McPhee) struggles to get a word in during the seven-minute standoff at the kitchen table.

“That scene is so lengthy, and much of the series hinges on the misconceptions Robert has and the way he prevents Catherine from expressing herself,” Blanchett explains. “In an odd manner, she’s being excluded from the storyline. The scene has its ups and downs, making it a pleasure to perform, yet quite daunting as an actor.”

Cuarón insisted on shooting the entire segment in one continuous take to better capture the intense emotions of the scene.

“I’m crying, yelling, feeling betrayed, being suspicious, having sudden realizations, and drinking,” Cohen shares with a chuckle. “I pleaded with Alfonso, ‘Can we please break it up into sections and edit it later?’ He replied, ‘Definitely not. Editing is like murder.’ He insisted that we keep going until we got it right, and I believe we ended up doing around 17 takes in a row.”

As “Disclaimer” progresses, viewers will begin to understand Catherine’s perspective, though Blanchett is reluctant to divulge too much.

“I found that when I discussed the book with those who had read it, they would often raise an eyebrow,” she reminisces. “They never revealed the ending, which is fantastic. People can be quite possessive about keeping the plot twists under wraps.”

Cohen also urges viewers to enjoy the story without rushing to pass moral judgement.

“It’s fundamentally a tale about familial destruction,” Cohen hints. “Individuals who are self-destructive often lack awareness about their own behavior.”