Rebecca Ferguson, known for her role in “Silo,” shared insights into her motherhood journey, revealing that she became a mother in her early 20s to a partner who was more than two decades older. In a February 4 interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Ferguson explained that she had been living as an adult for several years before welcoming her first child at 23.
Ferguson, now 42, has a son named Isac with her former boyfriend Ludwig Hallberg, who is 22 years her senior. They were together for six years before ending their relationship.
An Emerging Career Amid Early Parenthood
While managing motherhood, Ferguson’s acting career gained momentum. Her early work included a role in the 2011 film “A One-Way Trip to Antibes” and her breakthrough as the lead in the 2013 BBC series “The White Queen.” She described the transition to this lead role as swift, moving to Bruges for filming just weeks after securing the part.
Following these successes, Ferguson starred alongside Dwayne Johnson in the 2014 movie “Hercules,” and then took on a prominent role in the 2015 “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” with Tom Cruise.
Working with Tom Cruise and Balancing Challenging Stunts
Ferguson spoke about her experience working with Cruise, describing him as purposeful and playful, creating a safe and professional environment on set that encouraged her to take risks in her performances.
“He comes with this … purpose. He’s a boy who just loves playing, and offers up a safe and professional set. That’s a really good balance [of qualities] to make you want to try new things,”
she said of Tom Cruise.
Despite being afraid of heights, Ferguson recalled feeling supported during the dangerous stunt scenes, where backup professionals were always nearby to step in if needed.
“I was scared of heights, but you always have someone to jump in and take over, which means you can push yourself a little bit more — because at the last second you can always go, ‘Nope!’”
Motherhood While Managing a Demanding Career
In addition to Isac, Ferguson is also a mother to daughter Saga, 7, whom she shares with her husband Rory St. Clair Gainer. She was pregnant with Saga during the filming of 2018’s “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” and described the physical challenges of performing stunts while expecting.
“I would be fighting, and then I’d run off and vom in a big bag somewhere, have a mint, then run back in,”
Ferguson revealed.
Though her career requires frequent travel and filming in various countries, Ferguson has set a firm personal rule to never be away from her family for more than three weeks at a time.
“That was my No. 1 [priority],”
she affirmed.
Early Experiences with Older Partners and Emotional Growth
Earlier in her life, Ferguson also reflected on a formative experience working on the Swedish soap opera “Nya Tider” as a teenager. At 15, she developed strong feelings for a much older co-star who was already in a relationship, marking her first love and a difficult emotional learning process.
“I was madly in love with him,”
Ferguson confessed.
“He was my first love. At that age, trying to understand emotions and the fact that he was with someone else … it was hard. Understanding that it’s not reality when you’re lying there holding each other, it’s just a moment and then you say, ‘Cut!’ Oh my God, my heart was torn out of my chest. I had to learn to put a hard skin on.”
The Balance Between Family and Professional Life
Rebecca Ferguson’s journey through early motherhood, a significant age gap relationship, and a rising acting career highlights her ability to balance personal and professional demands. Her commitment to always prioritize family while taking on challenging film roles illustrates a focused and serious approach to both life and work.
As Ferguson continues her successful career, her reflections on past experiences provide insight into the strength and maturity required to maintain such balance, offering inspiration for those navigating similarly complex life choices.
