BAFTA nominee Rose Byrne talks unwinding after emotional and demanding new role: “I drink a lot of alcohol”

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With the Bafta Film Awards happening this Sunday and an Oscar nomination under your belt, how are you feeling about all the attention for your film, ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’?

It’s incredibly strange and wonderful. It’s amazing that such a small film is getting this kind of recognition, and I’m truly honored. While I’ve played complicated characters on TV before, this film role was by far the most challenging of my career. It really pushed my boundaries as an actor and was a transformative experience – definitely a career highlight.

What does working in television give you that the big screen usually doesn’t?

I really enjoy connecting with viewers through television. It’s great to become invested in shows over time and want to keep watching them season after season. Shows like Seinfeld and The Sopranos are perfect examples – you grow attached to the characters and love revisiting them.

The movie features you as a worried mother experiencing a lot of trouble. What was it like getting into that emotional state for the role?

As a mother myself, this story really resonated with me. Being a parent is incredibly challenging because children truly see you as you are – both your strengths and weaknesses – and it forces you to confront your own flaws. It’s a common saying that children end up teaching us more about ourselves than anyone else, and it’s absolutely true – they are the best teachers. That dynamic is really at the heart of this film.

Your co-star A$AP Rocky’s partner is Rihanna. Did you meet her?

I asked Rocky as soon as I met him if his wife was joining us on set. She couldn’t make it because she was busy caring for their new baby. Rocky was great though, and he’s really funny and subtle in his performance in the movie.

How do you unwind after working on such an emotional character?

I tend to drink quite a bit, often just to unwind after work – maybe with a drink while watching TV. Everyone deals with stress in their own way; some people turn to faith or spirituality, but that’s not really for me. Bobby and I keep things pretty low-key, we don’t have a large social circle. We have a close-knit group of friends we can count on back home in Brooklyn, and that’s what feels most comforting. I’m also very close to my family and rely on them a lot.

How difficult is it to switch off when you head home?

This job is definitely challenging, but I’m good at leaving work at the office and focusing on home when I’m with my family. That separation is really important to me. My kids don’t worry about my stressful days, and honestly, that’s wonderful – it keeps me grounded. When I walk through the door, I’m just ‘mum’ again.

Have your children — Rocco, 10, and Rafael, 8 — seen many of your films and television shows?

It’s funny, my spouse is an actor too, but they don’t really like watching me in movies or TV shows, and I totally get it! They’ve only seen the Peter Rabbit films I did, which were a blast, but otherwise they prefer to keep a healthy distance from my work, and I respect that.

You’ve tackled horror, comedy, cartoons, drama, sci-fi and more. How do you choose your projects?

I thrive on pushing my boundaries and taking risks. If I’m not feeling challenged, what’s the point? I need to feel like I’m constantly on the edge of something new and want to keep going. I even believe that failure is crucial for growth and sustaining a career – sometimes you need to stumble to find yourself again. To keep things fresh, I might go back to the stage, work on a smaller project in Australia, or develop ideas through my production company.

What career would you choose if you weren’t an actor?

I honestly don’t know who I’d be without acting. It’s been a real lifeline for me, and I’m always thankful for every role I get. The thought of not having that work is scary, and I can’t imagine feeling secure without it.

What’s next for you?

I’m performing in a Noël Coward play in New York City. It’s directed by my friend Scott Ellis, and I’m acting alongside the incredibly talented Tony Award winner, Kelli O’Hara. The play is called Fallen Angels, and it’s a completely new experience for me – a broad comedy! I’m definitely nervous, but also really looking forward to it.

Authors

Adam Tanswell

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2026-02-16 21:07