Rebecca Hall, the actor and director, has opened up about her journey of self-discovery, discussing her mixed-race heritage, her regrets about working with Woody Allen, and her new life as a painter. In a candid interview, Hall described her upbringing as 'wild, chaotic, beautiful' and reflected on how her directorial debut 'Passing' changed her profoundly.
Hall, 42, revealed that her maternal grandfather and mother both 'passed' as white, leading to internalised racism that affected her mother's mental health. Hall said she grew up in an environment where her mother 'didn't see me' and wanted her to be 'a certain kind of thing'. She described her public image as an 'English rose' as a performance that didn't match her actual experience.
Since making 'Passing', Hall has insisted on clarity about her background and has expanded her creative pursuits beyond acting to include directing, writing, and painting. She now lives in Upstate New York with her husband, actor Morgan Spector, and their six-year-old daughter, Ida. Her typical day involves painting in her studio and writing.
Hall stars in the new BBC drama 'The Listeners', playing a teacher who hears a mysterious hum that others cannot. The series explores why ordinary people seek answers in dark places. Director Janicza Bravo praised Hall for harnessing 'both the approachable and the enigmatic' in her performance.
Reflecting on her career, Hall acknowledged the complexity of working with Woody Allen on 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona', for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. She did not elaborate on her regrets but has previously expressed discomfort with Allen's personal life.
