Vanessa Kirby has added yet another role to her illustrious film career, as she and a film crew took over Brooklyn to film her new sci-fi movie Liminal. The Crown star, 38, is appearing in the Apple TV+ thriller alongside Emmy winner Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. As the cameras rolled on the streets of New York, Vanessa brandished a prop gun for the dramatic scenes.
About the Film
Directed by Louis Leterrier, Liminal is based on the 2022 AWA graphic novel by Eisner Award winner J. Michael Straczynski, Steve Epting and Brian Reber. Plot details for the film itself are being kept under wraps, but the graphic novel focuses on an alternative world where a tenth of the population suddenly gains telepathic powers as a result of electromagnetic disturbance. As a result, newly telepathic Boston police find themselves contending with a faction, led by a wrongly convicted prisoner, who are trying to escape a world in which their powers will make them targets.
Motherhood and New Beginnings
This role marks Vanessa's first since she welcomed her first child with fiancé Paul Rabil in October. News of the birth was confirmed when Paul shared a series of tender family photos on Instagram, offering a rare glimpse into the couple's private world as they navigate the early days of parenthood. In the heartfelt post, the American sports star reflected on the profound transformation that comes with becoming a parent, writing: 'I'm learning that becoming a parent slows you down and wakes you up at the same time. I'm really grateful for everyone's health, that I get to wake up every day to mum's enormous love, and that we get to have you in our lives now.' With a playful nod to his lacrosse legacy, he added: 'For your first cradle stick. It'll hold many stories and blessings. Likely broken windows too. Balls are allowed in the house.' The couple have not yet disclosed the baby's name or sex. The announcement prompted an outpouring of congratulations from friends, fellow athletes and celebrities.
Vanessa's Career
London-born Vanessa catapulted to international stardom with her nuanced portrayal of the troubled Princess Margaret in The Crown, a performance that earned her a BAFTA Television Award and an Emmy nomination. Her acclaimed turn in the Netflix series opened doors to Hollywood's biggest projects. She has also starred in blockbuster franchises including Mission: Impossible alongside Tom Cruise - most recently in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning - and this year made her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as the Invisible Woman in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. In 2021, she received an Oscar nomination for her devastating performance as a grieving mother in Pieces of a Woman.
The Crown star revealed she was pregnant by showing off her baby bump at a Fantastic Four photo-call in June. Vanessa admitted that she got into the mindset of motherhood while filming, as her character also becomes a mother for the first time. When asked how she felt about life imitating art by Entertainment Tonight, she said: 'It was a daunting journey because [Storm] really is a working mother, a working superhero mother. She was pregnant for half the movie, she gives birth, and I guess something that she really taught me that I didn't fully know is that you can do everything. You can have it all. She gave me a lot of confidence in that.'
Personal Life
Vanessa and Paul's relationship first became public in late 2022 when the pair were photographed holding hands in New York City. The romance followed Vanessa's split from long-term boyfriend Callum Turner, the Fantastic Beasts actor who is now engaged to pop superstar Dua Lipa. But it wasn't until November 2023 that they made their relationship Instagram official with a joint post that delighted fans. Their romance continued to blossom, and in December 2024, it was confirmed that Paul had proposed after two years of dating, with the couple now planning their wedding alongside raising their newborn. Vanessa and Paul now split their time between London and the US.
Paul retired from professional lacrosse in 2021 after an illustrious 23-year playing career that saw him become one of the sport's most decorated athletes. He now serves as president of the Premier Lacrosse League, the organisation he co-founded to revolutionise professional lacrosse in North America. He was married to former lacrosse player Kelly Berger, 40, for three years until 2017, and dated film star Eliza Gonzalez, 35, in 2021.
