Keira Knightley has acknowledged that the term “nepo baby” applies to her, explaining that her parents’ careers in the arts helped open doors at the beginning of her acting journey. Speaking on Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast, the actress said her first agent was her mother’s friend, adding that creative families often pass opportunities between generations due to the nature of the industry. She emphasised that acting is a lifestyle rather than a conventional nine-to-five job.
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The Black Doves star, now 40, noted that while her children – Edie, 10, and Delilah, six – have shown no interest in acting so far, they would face the same label if they chose to follow in her footsteps. Knightley stressed that although early connections can help, lasting success depends on talent and hard work, remarking that anyone who does not “bring the goods” will not stay in the profession for long.
Knightley also discussed her experience of becoming a mother, explaining that she struggled with severe sleep deprivation and a “hormonal crash” after giving birth. She described the emotional shift from an initial hormonal high to a period she believes was post-natal depression, which she later addressed through therapy. The actress noted that the absence of physical complications did not lessen the overwhelming emotional impact of new motherhood.
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Reflecting on those early years, she said her experience involved little to no sleep for three years despite an otherwise straightforward birth. Knightley highlighted how profoundly life changed after welcoming her first child, calling the shift “huge” and “life-altering”, even though both she and her baby were healthy and well.
