Rebecca Ferguson has offered a candid reflection on becoming a mother at the age of 23 with a partner significantly older than her. The 42-year-old star, known for roles in Dune and the Mission: Impossible series, had her son Isac in her twenties with then-boyfriend Ludwig Hallberg, a holistic therapist who was 45 at the time, creating a 22-year age difference.
Maturity Beyond Her Years
In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, Ferguson explained that she did not struggle with the age gap, attributing this to her early start in the workforce. 'I was very young, but I started working at 15… I was thrown into the deep end of work, maturity and responsibility,' she said. This sense of maturity helped her navigate the relationship, though it ultimately ended in 2015 after six years together.
New Chapter with Husband
The following year, she met her now-husband Rory St. Clair Gainer, who is seven years her junior. The couple married in 2018 and have a seven-year-old daughter named Saga, marking a new phase in her personal life.
Career Highlights and Pregnancy Challenges
Ferguson's career soared during this period. She achieved international fame with her Golden Globe-nominated role in the BBC drama The White Queen, which led to her breakout as Ilsa Faust in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation. She reprised this role in sequels, solidifying her status as a major action star.
Remarkably, she worked on Mission: Impossible during her pregnancy, even performing her own stunts. 'I would be fighting, and then I'd run off and vom in a big bag somewhere, have a mint, then run back in,' she recalled. She credited co-star Tom Cruise for inspiring her, noting his professional and safe set environment that encouraged her to push boundaries, such as overcoming a fear of heights.
Upcoming Projects and Accent Dilemma
Now, Ferguson is set to join the star-studded cast of the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie, officially titled Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, which releases on Netflix on March 20. She will appear alongside original cast member Cillian Murphy, Barry Keoghan, and Tim Roth.
Expressing excitement about the role, she called it 'a no-brainer' due to the guttural and burdened characters. However, she admitted there is 'no chance' she could master a Birmingham accent for the film, fearing it would ruin the production. 'There was absolutely no chance I could do a Brummie accent. I would ruin the film,' she stated, highlighting her commitment to authenticity in her performances.
Ferguson's career continues to thrive with roles in major films like The Greatest Showman, Doctor Sleep, and Dune, showcasing her versatility and enduring appeal in Hollywood.
