With biographical drama Oppenheimer having pushed actress Florence Pugh forward into a whole new sphere of cinematic kudos – as well as earning her a Screen Actors Guild gong for the collective Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture award – the 29-year-old has embraced quality and diversification over the last two years, and that's no better seen than in the upcoming Marvel anti-hero epic Thunderbolts, which represents the truest testament to her versatility.
Pugh, born and raised in Oxford, England, where academia influenced her, insists her education has been one of patience and persistence, certainly when scoring defining roles.
Now, in 2025, the attractive, charismatic star has one Academy Award nomination and two BAFTA selections to her name, and there may be bigger plaudits on the way as she fondly celebrates the return of Yelena Belova after a four-year gap since Black Widow.
Pugh has grown into an actress since appreciating the depth and development of the characters she portrays. This was particularly evident in Dune: Part Two, Oppenheimer, and A Good Person, where she ticked off a major bucket list item by starring alongside Morgan Freeman.
However, as she reveals, the Marvel universe has been evolving in much the same way.
STRIPLV: You return to our screen with Thunderbolts after a well-deserved break from things. PUGH: I think 2023 took more out of me than I first imagined. It was a year that brought about three very different types of film and three very big physical and emotional challenges. I think when you are working so solidly, it's healthy to step back for a bit and have some downtime. I felt I needed that. I know most people see the time shooting the film as the most demanding aspect of it, but it's actually all the stuff that goes with it that's exhausting – the planning, the learning of lines, the press tours. It's so much more than just time spent in front of the camera, which, in essence, is the good bit, although it doesn't always feel that way at the time! Anyway, I am totally refreshed and really excited for people to see what we've done on Thunderbolts. Working alongside actors like Christopher (Walken), Timmy (Chalamet), Zendaya, and Austin (Butler)was extraordinary. They are incredible individuals and outstanding actors. STRIPLV: What was filming like compared to Black Widow? PUGH: Obviously, this felt like a very different experience. The magnitude of the whole thing was so much bigger because we were really able to explore Yelena and Alexei's relationship. It's bizarre but pure and human, and that was such a joy to bring to life. STRIPLV: It's not just that relationship that feels much deeper in this movie; it's Marvel itself reaching deeper into a storyline. PUGH: Yes, I agree, the film shows a side of Marvel we haven't seen before. It's unique, it's different, and it feels so real in a way that really excited me. I think what's true, though, is that such a thing can only be possible when you have a cast fully invested in the project, in themselves, and each other. The camaraderie on set was incredible; for instance, we laughed so much, and I think that energy is carried into the film. These characters have such intricate relationships, and working closely with David [Harbour] and the rest of the cast made it all feel so natural. STRIPLV: You've said in the past you sway between fantasy and reality genres in terms of your film choices. What made you decide it was time to head back into the fictional and detached side of things? PUGH: A Good Person, Oppenheimer and We Live in Time were all intense acting projects and they came along in quick succession. Dune was obviously a diversion, of sorts, but to really be able to throw off the shackles and do what we have done with Thunderbolts has been a delight. I think the word I would best use to describe it is "fun", that's what it feels like. It's escapism, even if characters are getting killed, and everywhere you turn, there's weaponry. STRIPLV: That sounds like the sort of place you would want to escape from, to be honest. PUGH: Exactly, right! (Laughs) STRIPLV: The actors' strike in 2023 delayed the production of this movie for quite some time. What's it like to be on the start line but held back? PUGH: I think you just have to realize you can only control what's in front of you. The strike was something going on at the time, but then we went through rewrites, too, which is nothing unusual. To have setbacks, delays, and things getting in the way of things starting is not unusual. It's such a big machine, and you've got to wait until everything is totally in line before you can press the button and start. I've long accepted that's the way it is. STRIPLV: Where do you go from here with roles? It feels, from the outside, like you could take on anything. PUGH: It's nice to know I am potentially in the frame for anything, because there isn't a genre now that I haven't tackled. That's a nice feeling for an actor because you always consider yourself in with a fighting chance. Of course the level of competition out there is intense, and putting away my competitive hat I do think it's wonderful to see such brilliant actors progressing through the ranks. It seems like there is a real charge for young actors wanting to shake things up, and that's lovely to see, although it may mean me being out of a job soon. STRIPLV: With growing confidence, have you lost some of the fear you admit has accompanied you in the past? PUGH: I think I'm definitely more comfortable, in terms of me having the security I need to go forward. And I've always said fear is healthy, anyway. The worst thing you can do in life is just sit back and relax. I was brought up to fight over every opportunity, and I think I have done that. There is only so much you can do to affect change, but you have to make sure you're pushing as hard as you can. STRIPLV: How do you cope with the demands of fame, not just during the filming process but also during press tours, etc.? PUGH: I am good with it. In simple terms, my most important project is always the one I'm promoting right at that moment, and that's the way it should be. As I said at the start, the process is long, and you can sometimes be juggling two or three projects at the same time, but if nothing else it keeps you on your toes. STRIPLV: You have such a good style. Do you have a go-to look or style? PUGH: No, for me, it's pretty much the same as switching between film genres. Ultimately, you can get the same satisfaction for an obscure independent film as you can a box office smash, and the way I dress and style myself is pretty much the same. I think feeling comfortable is the equal of feeling good, feeling empowered, allowing ourselves to step into a version of us that might be bolder, more confident, or even a little rebellious. I love how fashion creates a safe space where we can be unapologetically ourselves, even in a world that often feels critical or judgmental. That said, I do admit clothes can act as armor, as much as they have the power to transform. You know, we all play different parts depending on where we are and who we're with, and what we wear can reflect or even influence that. I want to wear things that make me feel alive, that make me excited to step out into the world. Personally, that would be something bold, something unexpected because it sparks curiosity - it's all about contrasts, textures, and colors. STRIPLV: From that, it sounds like you're much more comfortable with the demands of fame. PUGH: I think any actor, of any age, going right down to a four-year-old appearing in a nativity, should love the thrill of making an entrance… that little moment when you step into a space and people stop to take a second look. As an adult actor, I think if you don't enjoy that, or perhaps have just fallen out of love with the whole thing, you should probably think about doing something else! It's not about seeking attention; it's more about creating a moment and making people pause and think. STRIPLV: Away from work, you've often talked about how much you love to travel. Have any of your current films afforded you that opportunity? PUGH: Well, as you can imagine, with a film like Thunderbolts, a huge amount was done in the studio, so it was not a great opportunity to travel. A lot was also shot in Utah, but there was no chance of fleeing to some far-off, distant, mysterious land, that's for sure. STRIPLV: If you could do that, where would you go? PUGH: Probably Tokyo. It's one of my favorite cities in the world. Obviously, I've seen the likes of New York and London a lot, so a lot of the mystery behind those places has gone, where is Tokyo, because of the difference in culture and language, it feels like another dimension as if I could spend a lifetime there and still not really 'get it'. And I love that feeling of being outside my comfort zone. The moment you land, you feel that shift, you're thrown into this beautiful whirlwind of lights, energy, and culture. The jet lag there is its own kind of strange magic [laughs]; you wake up at the oddest hours, completely disoriented. And the food isn't bad either! You could spend an entire trip just eating your way through the city, from tiny backstreet ramen shops to sushi places where every bite feels like a work of art. The attention to detail in Tokyo, whether in the food, the fashion, or even just the way people move through the city, is mesmerizing. It also has a beautiful mix of old and new - from a centuries-old temple to shops selling the absolute latest in tech. For me, it's the ultimate mind-blowing place to visit.
THE POWER OF PUGH The British actress on food, fame and fun.
Florence Pugh is not just an award-winning actress but a devoted foodie. For her, cooking is more than a necessity—it's a ritual, a way to unwind and reconnect with herself. "Cooking is my therapy. When I'm stressed, I make a big pasta dish, and everything feels better," she has shared.
Whether making homemade focaccia or whipping up a hearty stew, food plays a central role in her life, and she's not shy about sharing her kitchen adventures with fans on social media.
Her passion for food extends beyond her own home. She's an advocate for embracing a balanced and joyful approach to eating, often rejecting the rigid beauty standards that plague Hollywood. "I love my body. If being curvy isn't 'in,' then screw it, I'll make it 'in,'" she once declared. For Pugh, food is meant to be savored, not feared.
Between filming blockbuster hits, she enjoys seeking new culinary experiences wherever she travels, from street food stalls to high-end restaurants. Whether she's indulging in Italian cuisine or experimenting with bold Flavors in her own kitchen, Pugh's love for food reflects her unapologetic approach to life: passionate, unfiltered, and entirely her own.