What is it like to juggle the bright lights of stardom with the beautiful chaos of family life? Hugh Grant, in a conversation with The Undoing co-star Nicole Kidman, once shared a more intimate view of this very balance—or, sometimes, the lack thereof.
The Maurice actor, 63, has to stay away from his beloved kids in London, whom he once described to PEOPLE as “the nicest thing that has ever happened to me”, while filming David E. Kelley’s HBO thriller series in New York City. Despite the enticing opportunity for five months during the 2019 production, Grant quickly realized that distance did not make his heart grow fonder, but rather, accentuated a profound sense of missing out.
Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman play Grace and Jonathan Fraser, respectively, whose seemingly perfect lives are upended by the revelation of falsehoods and secrets in The Undoing.
Family Separation: How Hugh Grant Managed While Shooting The Undoing
In an interview with The Undoing co-star Nicole Kidman for Marie Claire, Hugh Grant talked about his five-month New York City filming of the HBO thriller series, which he completed while his family stayed in London. Being away from his kids while filming proved to be more painful than the actor had anticipated.
The father of five kids shared with Kidman:
“You had your family with you, which was, I think, very sensible. I thought, ‘Oh, fantastic opportunity to get away from my screaming children.’ I left everyone in London. And then as soon as I got to New York each time I came out to film, I missed so much. It was, it was awful.”
Meanwhile, Kidman, 56, recalled saying, “You [Grant] were miserable”, as the two were filming the series, in which they play a married couple embroiled in a high-profile murder in Manhattan. In response, Grant stated:
“I remember almost every scene I acted in made me cry. I remember [director] Susanne Bier having to say, ‘Hugh, you’re only asking for a cup of coffee, so maybe tears are not appropriate’.”
The actor explained that having children has taught him to prioritize his time and avoid rushing into projects in order to be present for his family and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Parenting Lessons from Hugh Grant: Nurturing Laughter in His Children
They say that ‘age is just a number’. Hugh Grant, however, sees it as a blessing in disguise!
The handsome British heartthrob once admitted that he was actually grateful for losing his charm and good looks. Wait, what?! Don’t worry; this is not a midlife crisis. It all stemmed from a traumatic experience he had while working with the stunning Nicole Kidman in The Undoing.
The “nicest thing” that has ever happened to Grant, according to him, is having children, he told PEOPLE in 2018. The actor continued, saying:
“It’s just lovely to have all that love around. Suddenly you love someone more than yourself. It’s unheard of in my case. And they love you, and it’s all enchanting.”
Part of the reason the actor does not “go rushing around for work” is because of his family, he continued, adding:
“I have 400 children and so many other things in my life. What’s nice is when work comes along, it tends to be a bit more challenging. I’m too old and ugly to be the young leading man in romantic comedies now, thank God.”
Grant enjoys taking on difficult roles and prioritizes his family over all else, even though he may no longer be the young romantic comedy star. In fact, we’re loving this new hilarious and self-deprecating version of him. Keep the laughs coming, Grant. We’re all ears (and eyes)!
You can stream The Undoing on Max.
