Joel Edgerton says her 2-year-old twins have affected her outlook on life and her approach to her career.
In an interview with ET’s Nischelle Turner at the premiere of her new Apple TV+ show, Dark matteron Monday, the 49-year-old Australian actor opened up about how his children — who he shares with his partner Christine Centenera — have changed his life for the better.
When asked if his children have influenced the roles he considers, the actor said, “100 percent.”
He explained, “You know, there are things in the show that really resonate with me about how important family is and what it would mean to be taken away from your family.”
Edgerton first confirmed that he and Centenera – who serves as Vogue Australiaeditor-in-chief – became parents in an interview with Oprah Daily in 2021. At the time, several media outlets reported that the couple had welcomed a single child, but news later emerged that they had become parents to two children.
For the actor, his children made the plot behind Dark matter – an adaptation of Blake Crouch’s best-selling novel – more meaningful and thought-provoking. In the book, Jason Dessen (Edgerton) is kidnapped while walking home in Chicago one night, only to find himself in an alternate version of his own life.
The story — an exploration of the “road not taken,” according to AppleTV+ — finds Edgerton’s character racing against the clock to get home to his wife (Jennifer Connelly) and son (Oakes Fegley) as they traverse a “mind-boggling landscape”.
Edgerton told ET that while he would love to see some of the lives that could have been — including one where he was almost a professional painter — he is happily satisfied with the path he chose and the life he has with Centenera and his children.
“I certainly don’t want to take on this life, that’s for sure,” he joked. “I would take a peek at my alternative life, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. No matter how stressful or confusing mine has become, it’s the best thing in the world.”
While it’s certainly possible that Edgerton’s “understudies” have projects and accolades of their own to be proud of, nothing compares to the actor’s recent role on one of the hottest television shows in the world right now and which has almost certainly earned him popularity points with your children: Blue. In an April episode of the children’s program, the actor lent his voice to play a police officer in the third season of the program.
Edgerton said while it was amazing to have a small role in such a beloved show, it’s even more special for him as an Australian actor watching the world fall in love with a show from his home country.
“I recorded it right before I became a father. We were waiting for our twins to arrive and now it’s super cool,” he said. “But I’ll tell you what’s even cooler is that (it’s) an Australian TV show that you’re asking me about here.”
It shouldn’t be at all surprising to the Zero Dark Thirty star, however, as the show continues to make waves around the world. “The Sign,” the episode in which Edgerton starred, racked up 10.4 million views on Disney+ globally in its first week of streaming, according to Disney.
“I watch more children’s television than adult drama now and that’s good for me,” noted Edgerton.
Of course, he’s focused on a specific adult drama at the moment – Dark matter. For the AppleTV+ project, Edgerton serves as executive producer and stars, alongside Connelly, 53, as well as Alice Braga, Jimmi Simpson and Amanda Brugel.
He promises that, for fans of the book of the same name, there will be no big surprises or twists. The actor and EP said they consider it important to remain faithful to the romance that has captivated millions of people around the world.
“We need to change some things and I think that’s a good thing because if you read the book, there won’t be any big surprises other than who gets to play the characters,” he told ET. “But for there to be more backstory for the characters and different resolutions, it’s cool.”
Watch the trailer for Dark matter in the player below:
The show premieres two episodes on May 8, with episodes released weekly through June 26.
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