Sophie Rundle Opens Up About Postpartum Return to Peaky Blinders
Sophie Rundle has candidly shared her experiences of returning to work on the final season of Peaky Blinders merely four weeks after giving birth to her first child. The actress, 37, described the ordeal as 'crazy' and 'a very vulnerable exercise', highlighting the intense personal and professional challenges she faced during this period.
A Balancing Act: Motherhood and Career
Rundle, who is engaged to actor Matt Stokoe, is the mother of two sons born in Easter 2021 and June 2024, though the couple has chosen to keep their names private. Despite the joyous arrival of her first son, Sophie found herself back on set as Ada Shelby in the hit crime drama less than a month postpartum, having appeared in all six seasons of the show.
Ahead of the Netflix release of the film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, the Jamestown star spoke on Josh Smith’s Great Chat Show, revealing the stark realities of such an early return. She expressed pride in her accomplishment but was quick to stress that 'it wasn't something we should expect of mothers'.
The Emotional and Physical Toll
In her interview, Sophie explained that while she felt grateful for the opportunity, which served as a 'lifeline back to myself', it also marked 'the most vulnerable period' of her life. She recounted, 'It was crazy and I'm really keen to talk about it because I'm incredibly proud of myself and my family for what we did to make that happen but it wasn't easy.'
She emphasized the importance of celebrating such achievements without setting unrealistic standards, noting, 'I always worried that I wanted to celebrate it, but I never want to make anybody feel like you should be able to do this, too, because it took a huge effort and it wasn't just me.' Rundle credited her partner, family, and the production team for their support in making it possible.
A Strange Maternity Leave
Sophie described her time on Peaky Blinders as a 'very strange weird maternity leave', with her first son being only four weeks old during the final series and her second around 12 to 13 weeks old during the film. She reflected on the difficulty of transitioning from the protected space of early motherhood to being on camera, saying, 'I think I could have gotten lost in early motherhood, but it was very hard having to bring myself out of this really protected, vulnerable space.'
She added that the experience felt exposing, especially given the 'seismic shift' motherhood brought to her identity. Despite the challenges, Rundle expressed gratitude, stating, 'It kind of was like this hand reaching out, pulling me back to the person that I was and it made me come back to myself, actually.'
Body Image and Professional Pressures
The actress also opened up about the added pressure of her appearance, as she was playing a character who had not just given birth. She admitted, 'You worry about seeming vain and shallow. But it is an element of my job. Peaky is a very aesthetic show and your body has changed, of course it has.' In a light-hearted moment, she quipped about petitioning for a ticker tape on screen to clarify her postpartum status, though the idea was not adopted.
Social Media and Continued Work
Back in May 2021, Sophie shared a candid Instagram post detailing her return to work, calling it 'the most challenging thing I've ever done'. The post featured a photo of her changing her baby in her trailer while in costume, with her caption highlighting the exhaustion and support from the cast and crew.
Her work did not stop with Peaky Blinders, as she was soon back on set for Gentleman Jack two months later. During her chat, she praised co-star Suranne Jones for advocating for her during her pregnancy, describing Jones as 'an amazing, beautiful woman' who provided crucial support.
Advocacy and Changing Landscapes
Rundle concluded by reflecting on the evolving industry, noting the increasing appetite for strong female protagonists and the supportive network of women she has encountered. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities faced by working mothers in demanding professions, blending personal vulnerability with professional resilience.
