Florence Pugh reveals reason she took acting break this summer for first time in her career

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Florence Pugh has made waves in Hollywood and is known for her intense commitment to her roles.

However, in a recent interview with British Vogue, the Oscar nominee revealed that she did something she had never done before this past summer: ask for a break.

Florence Pugh reflects on working non-stop and the need for a break

Florence Pugh has been working non-stop for several years, appearing in high-profile projects such as Christopher Nolan’s 'Oppenheimer', Denis Villeneuve’s 'Dune', Marvel’s 'Thunderbolts', and the upcoming A24 romance drama 'We Live in Time'.

Eventually, the relentless pace took its toll, leading Pugh to recognize the importance of stepping back.

“[It’s] the first time ever in my career when I’ve actually asked for a summer break,” Pugh admitted.

“I’m an absolute work maniac, [but] I can see I’m exhausted. I suddenly woke up last year and I was like, ‘I hate how much of my life I’ve missed.’ Yes, I want to have a career forever, but that’s not going to happen if I work myself into the ground.”

After a summer of recharging, Pugh recently attended the Toronto International Film Festival to premiere 'We Live in Time' alongside co-star Andrew Garfield.

Directed by John Crowley (Brooklyn), the film follows the love story of a chef, played by Pugh, who falls in love with a man (Garfield) after accidentally hitting him with her car.

The film’s non-chronological narrative adds depth, beginning with the revelation that Pugh’s character has received a cancer diagnosis.

Florence Pugh opens up about shaving her head for role

The role demanded not only an emotional commitment but also a physical transformation, as Florence Pugh had to shave her head on camera.

“For any actor taking a role like this, it is completely important that you see her head and we see her shaving it – it was just always a no-brainer,” Pugh explained.

The significance of shaving her head ran deeper than just the physical change. “[Shaving] it was really bizarre. My head was so sensitive and so many people were trying to touch it and it was so alive. My body went into a bit of trauma from it. I was cold all the time,” she shared.

This commitment to embodying her characters is nothing new for Pugh. She’s known for going to great lengths to bring authenticity to her performances.

During a 2023 interview on the Off Menu podcast, she revealed that her preparation for 'Midsommar', Ari Aster’s psychological horror film, took a toll on her mental health.

In the film, Pugh played Dani, a woman grappling with immense grief while navigating a toxic relationship.

“When I did it, I was so wrapped up in her and I’ve never had this ever before with any of my characters,” Pugh recalled.

“I’d never played someone that was in that much pain before, and I would put myself in really shitty situations that maybe other actors don’t need to do but I would just be imagining the worst things.”