Emily Blunt: ‘I was unprepared to have kids’

When it comes to acting, Emily Blunt is a jack of all trades. While she’s still adored by fans for her role as neurotic PA to Meryl Streep in the The Devil Wears Prada, she isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty when it comes to movie roles.

The British actress, who relocated to America in 2009 following her engagement to now-husband John Krasinski, stars in Oppenheimer, dubbed the biggest blockbuster of the year.

The movie, which Emily describes as “extraordinarily emotional and immersive”, is clearly impactful, but the real power comes from her character Kitty – Oppenheimer’s wife.

Contrary to any perceptions of a 50s housewife, Emily sees Kitty as “a fiery force of nature who was uncompromising” and empathises with Kitty as she didn’t see motherhood as “something that came naturally to someone like her”.

Emily herself has been incredibly honest in the past about the challenges that come with having children. The 40-year-old – who is mum to daughters Hazel, nine, and Violet, seven – reveals, “I was colossally unprepared for how life-changing it is. Like all mothers, I think, ‘What was I doing with my day before I had children?’ It’s so full-on and they need you so much. I do find myself in a perpetual state of distraction.”

Despite initially being worried about returning to work after her second daughter and how she’d juggle her career with a newborn, Emily said she had nothing to fret over as John is always by her side.

“If I’m worried about something, he will listen and just have the answer. I adore that about him. He’s the ultimate pragmatist in my life,” she revealed.

Family has always been a priority for Emily and over the years she has tried to shield her daughters from the limelight. She says, “I don’t want my kids to feel any more important or special or that there’s a glare on them any more than other kids. If they can remain oblivious for the longest time, I’d be thrilled.”

Showing dedication to her husband, Emily officially became a US citizen in 2015, something that delighted neighbours Jimmy Kimmel and Oppenheimer co-star Matt Damon.

Speaking about their friendship, she says, “Working with Matt is always a joy. Not only do we go back years but our kids hang out all the time. His kids are older and they are so patient and sweet with my little ones.”

But despite being surrounded by the glitz and glam of Hollywood, Emily still “feels British”. She says, “My girls have American accents but I sound British, minus a few words here and there.”

While many people would steer clear of mixing business with pleasure, John and Emily’s partnership clearly works perfectly both on and off screen. They worked together on A Quiet Place I and II – with Emily starring in both while John switched into director mode for the sequel – and Emily says it was a really positive experience.

“A lot of people were like, ‘You’re going to be divorced by the end of it,’” she laughs. “Actually we were so much closer. I think the discovery of how we collaborated and could create something together was just so special.”

Emily lets slip that there are plans for a third instalment underway, this time a prequel called A Quiet Place: Day One.

“But that’s all I can tell you,” she teases.

When it comes to following in John’s footsteps and stepping behind the camera, the star makes it known that she’s willing to push herself to try anything with the support of her husband.

“I would like to think that I would want to do it one day, but I have seen just what it costs you emotionally and physically to get through directing a film. But John is really great at stress management.”

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