The actress explained that she has been through years of therapy after making a heartbreaking admission about Pirates of the Caribbean.
Knightley has opened up about her challenges during and after starring in Pirates of the Caribbean films.
Actress Elizabeth Swann, 39, rose to international stardom with Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow and Orlando Bloom as Will Turner on Pirates of the Caribbean.
Between 2003 and 2007, Knightley starred in three of the franchise’s films, during which time she encountered both opportunities and difficulties.
As she reflected on that time, she told The Times: “It’s a funny thing when you have something that was making and breaking you at the same time.”
Knightley revealed that the films were enormously successful but sparked significant public criticism.
My performance in these films led to my nominations for Pride & Prejudice and The Imitation Game, which earned me Oscar nominations.
Knightley acknowledges the complexity of her relationship with the franchise despite their success.
They were the most successful films I have ever been a part of, and they led to my public downfall. She admitted that they were in a very confused place in her head.
Knightley decided not to participate in any future extensive film franchises because of the intensity of working on such massive projects and the scrutiny that comes with them.
“Working such long hours is insane,” she explained, adding that the demands of such productions have consumed years of her life and left her little control over the schedule she must adhere to.
As a young woman, Knightley was overwhelmed by the fame that she gained, particularly during her teenage years.
In 2019, she admitted to The Telegraph that she had undergone ‘many years of therapy’ to cope with the pressures of public life.
“It just wasn’t possible for me to handle the fame that came along with them,” she said.
Knightley spoke about the challenges she faced embodying Elizabeth Swann, a character often portrayed as a lustful object, in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar in 2023.
“It was interesting to go from being regarded as quite tomboyish to being projected as quite the opposite. There was a feeling of constraint that I felt very strongly. ‘I felt very stuck,’ she replied, “and I couldn’t get out of it.”.
As a result of this experience, she was motivated to pursue roles that would allow her to break free of these expectations.
Although Knightley took a break from acting after working on Pirates of the Caribbean and other major films, she has since embraced a more balanced career and personal life.
As of today, she lives in London with her husband, musician James Righton, and their two children while continuing to work on projects that resonate with her values and interests.
When she looks back on her journey, she realizes it has been challenging, but she remains grateful: “Would I do anything differently if I could? The only reason I wouldn’t is because I’m unbelievably lucky now, and I’m in a position in my career where I can really enjoy it. “