Meryl Streep smoked cigarettes and drank alcohol to prepare for her new film.

The Oscar-winning actress claims she enjoyed picking up the unhealthy habits when she began getting into the character of Violet Weston in her upcoming movie 'August: Osage County.'

Speaking at an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Q&A, she said: ''[How did I prepare?] it was a lot of smoking and bad posture and staying up late drinking red wine with [actress] Margo [Martindale].''

The 64-year-old actress will feature alongside Julia Roberts, Ewan Mcgregor and Benedict Cumberbatch in the star-studded comedy drama scheduled for release in the US next year.

The story follows the lives of the strong-willed women in the Weston family, whose paths have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Oklahoma house they grew up in, and to their dysfunctional matriarch.

Meanwhile, Benedict claims he was ''inspired'' by Meryl when he gushed over the time he spent working with his co-stars.

He told Flicks and Bits: ''The ensemble that this film has is just extraordinary; to really see everyone be at the top of their game and be inspired from Meryl's lead was a terrific time for me. It was very special to be a part of. She's astonishing. Working with her was very, very inspiring. I know every actor says that that works with her but it's a trip, an absolute trip.''