Rebecca Ferguson has opened up about a distressing on-set incident where a fellow actor screamed at her during filming, describing how she would handle the situation differently today. The actress reflected on the experience while emphasizing the personal impact rather than focusing on the individual responsible.
Details of the On-Set Confrontation
Two years earlier, Rebecca Ferguson, known for her role in Dune, disclosed that she had demanded a co-star leave the set after they shouted directly in her face. The incident unsettled her so much that she requested to perform opposite a tennis ball instead, with the other actor’s performance added later through editing. Despite speculation among fans, Ferguson has neither revealed the name of the person involved nor confirmed rumors pointing at actors such as Tom Cruise or Hugh Jackman.
Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar UK, Ferguson clarified that her decision to speak about the event was motivated by personal growth rather than assigning blame. She shared,
“It was about me. It was so scary. I didn’t know then how to go,
Hey, can I talk to you privately?
”
Rebecca reflected on how she wishes she had confronted the actor privately at the time.
The actress described the co-star who shouted at her as “insecure and angry” and explained that their position as the top-billed actor on the call sheet made it difficult to find support from others on set. Despite the intimidation, Rebecca has become more confident in addressing such situations. She stated,
“A lot of people say that we’ve become too woke, but I think, no, it’s great. The pendulum needs to swing to the other side so that we can find a balance in between.”
Rebecca’s Response and Industry Challenges
Ferguson recounted how the incident caused her to leave the set crying but that she returned the following day to demand respect. She revealed that producers initially told her she could not tell the top actor to “get off my set,” yet she persisted by seeking intervention from the director. According to her, the director admitted,
“You’re right. I am not taking care of everyone else. I’m trying to fluff this person. Because it’s so unstable.”
From that point, the working environment improved for her.
Rebecca noted that it took her many years in the business—she has acted since age 16 and this was within her most recent decade—to reach a point where she could effectively advocate for herself on set. Her blunt, outspoken nature has become a key aspect of her acting career and landing roles of strong women. “I speak my mind,” she said, while admitting she
“very rarely try[s] to analyse [her] own behaviour.”
The Personal Toll and Public Recognition
In the same Harper’s Bazaar interview, Ferguson described the complexities of fame as “harrowing and weird,” highlighting the ego boost that comes from being recognized. She expressed gratitude for not being constantly pursued by paparazzi but acknowledged the silence she notices on red carpets when not as high-profile as stars like Timothée Chalamet or Zendaya.
Over a decade after her breakthrough role in Channel 4’s The White Queen, Ferguson remains busier than ever with upcoming projects. She is set to reprise her role in the next Dune installment, planned for release later this year, and to appear in the upcoming Netflix series Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. The show brings back Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby and introduces Barry Keoghan to the cast. Ferguson confirmed she has avoided attempting a Brummie accent for the series to preserve the film’s authenticity.
Ongoing Career and Public Engagement
Alongside her acting commitments, Ferguson continues to be featured in prominent publications, including her full interview in the March issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK. She remains a significant figure in entertainment, balancing the pressures of public attention with her evolving approach to professional challenges on set.
