Rebecca Ferguson has made a career out of surprising people. One moment she’s a Tudor ruler in The White Queen, the next she’s dangling from helicopters and outrunning explosions opposite Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible. Somehow she manages to make both feel completely natural, as if period gowns and high-octane stunts are just two sides of the same coin.
Her secret weapon? A mix of steel and softness. Ferguson can shoot you a look that freezes the room; look at her precision and poise in any of the press photocalls she attends, then turn around and break your heart two seconds later. It’s this balance that has kept her on Hollywood’s speed dial for everything from sweeping dramas to pulse-racing blockbusters.
Now she’s stepping into Mercy, opposite Chris Pratt, a film that blends family ties, suspense and moral grey areas in ways that promise plenty of intrigue. It’s the sort of role that lets Ferguson flex her dramatic muscles without losing that razor-sharp edge. Expect fireworks, but also expect moments of quiet intensity that remind you why she’s one of the most versatile actors working today.
Off-screen, she’s equally refreshingly, albeit slightly more grounded, typically seen around her kids (Isac and Sage). She has a sly sense of humor, a love of Swedish sweets, and an honesty that makes her interviews feel less like PR exercises and more like real conversations.
The actress is married to businessman Rory St. Clair Garner.
STRIPLV: Your new film Mercy has been described as a mix of action, suspense, and emotion. What excited you about taking it on? FERGUSON: I like projects that feel unpredictable, where you can’t quite pin the character down. With Mercy, the script had this great balance between physical intensity and emotional weight. My character isn’t just running around doing stunts for the sake of it; she’s carrying a lot internally, and that tension is what drew me in. To be honest, I love the chaos of action films, the choreography in particular, and how a good director can piece together the frantic nature of it all into something that holds interest as well as a storyline. I have a really big thing about realism in movies. I see some unbelievable films at times that are ruined by some poor continuity or a storyline that just doesn’t follow logic, and that feels like a real shame, because there is so much human and financial investment in the rest of the project. In addition, if there isn’t a human heartbeat underneath the plot, I lose interest quickly. So when I read Mercy, I thought, “Okay, this has both here. It’s a story that checks out; it uses a real sci-fi element and weaves it into a story whereby innocence has to be proven; but more than that, here’s a character who is both strong and fragile, both transparent yet quite mysterious.” That’s what keeps me curious as an actor. STRIPLV: You’re famous for those big action roles, from Mission: Impossible to Dune. Do you ever feel typecast? FERGUSON: I don’t, actually, because the roles have all felt different to me. Yes, they involve action, but Ilsa Faust is nothing like Lady Jessica, who is nothing like the AI-influenced character, Maddox, who I play in Mercy. I think people sometimes forget that behind the stunt work, you’re still building a character with relationships and contradictions. Also, I genuinely enjoy the physicality. I did dance for years growing up in Sweden, and I think that background helps me. Fight scenes are like choreography, just with swords instead of ballet shoes. I love throwing myself into that. At the same time, I also like doing something quieter, where the action is more psychological, so really, it’s about balance. STRIPLV: You’ve spoken before about doing a lot of your own stunts. Do you ever get nervous? FERGUSON: Of course! Anyone who says they don’t is lying. I remember on one Mission: Impossible film, there was this motorbike stunt and Tom was completely calm, and I was trying not to show that my hands were shaking. The trick is preparation. I work with incredible stunt teams who make sure we rehearse until it feels like second nature, then we go for it. However, I should say, fear is part of it too. If you’re a little scared, you’re alert, you’re in the moment. And then there’s the hilarious side of it - like once, I landed a stunt completely wrong and ended up flat on my back, winded, in front of the whole crew. I had to laugh because otherwise I would’ve cried. You can’t take yourself too seriously in those moments. STRIPLV: You grew up in Sweden, a very unique country, so might say, and one that produces, very often, thoughtful, deep and insightful actors. Do you think that background shapes you too? FERGUSON: Definitely. Sweden is very grounding. I grew up in Stockholm, but we also spent a lot of time by the water. I swam constantly as a kid, which is probably why I’ve always felt comfortable doing water sequences in films. I even worked as a dive instructor for a while, so there’s a freedom in being underwater that I still carry with me. And there’s something about the Scandinavian way of looking at the world. It’s practical, it’s a bit blunt, but it’s also deeply connected to nature. I think that’s why I like stepping away from the industry sometimes, just to be outside with my family, no makeup, no cameras, nothing glamorous about it. That balance is essential. STRIPLV: You often seem very private compared to a lot of actors. Is that a conscious choice? FERGUSON: It is, yes. I’ve always been protective of my personal life because I don’t want to dilute it. Acting is a performance, but my home life isn’t. I live in rural Europe with my husband and children, and that separation gives me space to breathe. People sometimes assume privacy means you’re cold or unapproachable, but for me it’s the opposite. It means that when I do step into the public space, I can be fully present, because I know I’ve got a safe place to retreat to. It also means I can give myself to a role without worrying about the noise outside. STRIPLV: You’re known for being direct and funny in interviews. Do you ever enjoy surprising people with that side of you? FERGUSON: [Laughs] Maybe a little! People sometimes expect me to be very serious because of the roles I play, and then they’re shocked when I’m cracking jokes or being cheeky. I don’t see the point in putting on a persona. Life’s too short. I remember once during a press tour someone asked me a very long, complicated question along the lines of, “the burden of carrying female archetypes in science fiction narratives,” and I just said, “Well, I didn’t think about that at all; I just wanted to wear the cool costumes.” The room burst out laughing, but it was true! Of course there’s meaning and depth, but sometimes you also just want to play. STRIPLV: What about fashion? You are always dressed immaculately – is that something you enjoy, or more of a work obligation? FERGUSON: Both. I’m not naturally a fashion person in my everyday life - I like comfort, I like practicality, I live in boots and oversized sweaters when I’m home, but I do enjoy the artistry of fashion when it comes to red carpets. Designers create such beautiful pieces, and you get to be part of that for an evening. I’ve had some lovely experiences. I remember wearing Dior couture to a premiere and thinking, “I have never felt this elegant in my entire life.” But equally, I’ve tripped over gowns, had shoes that were two sizes too small, and laughed through it all. I think if you take fashion too seriously, it becomes suffocating. For me it’s a bit of theatre, so enjoy it, then get back into jeans the next day. STRIPLV: When you’re not filming, what does a perfect day off look like for you? FERGUSON: It’s very simple. A walk with my dogs, cooking with my family, maybe a swim if the weather’s right. I’m happiest when I’m outdoors. My son is a big fan of camping, so sometimes we’ll just pack up the car and sleep under the stars. That’s my reset button. I also read a lot. I’ve got piles of books everywhere; I love historical biographies and crime novels. They’re very different from the scripts I read, which is probably why I enjoy them. It feels like stepping into another world, but without the pressure of performance. STRIPLV: Looking back, what’s been the most surreal pinch-me moment of your career? FERGUSON: There have been so many. Joining Mission: Impossible was huge because I suddenly found myself opposite Tom Cruise, doing these insane stunts, and thinking, “What am I doing here?” Dune was another one - standing in the desert, in that extraordinary costume, surrounded by this incredible cast. It felt like stepping into a dream.
But honestly, sometimes the surreal moments are smaller. Like being at a premiere and seeing my mum’s face in the audience, completely overwhelmed with pride. That’s the stuff that stays with you.
STRIPLV: What keeps you inspired as you move forward? FERGUSON: Curiosity. I get restless if I’m not learning something new, whether it’s a skill for a film or just in life. Every role I take on has to scare me a little bit. If I feel too comfortable, I know it’s not the right project.
And then it’s about people. I love working with directors and actors who challenge me, who don’t let me get lazy.
STRIPLV: Finally, any guilty pleasures still lurking below the surface after all these years? FERGUSON: Oh, loads! I’m a complete nerd for Swedish candy. Every time I go home, I stock up on these ridiculous bags of licorice and sour sweets, and then I hide them from my kids because otherwise they vanish in about five minutes. I’ve also got this slightly obsessive habit of reorganizing my bookshelves. It drives my husband crazy because I’ll suddenly decide they need to be color-coded at midnight. And karaoke! I love karaoke. I’m dreadful at it, but give me a microphone, and I’ll start on a rendition of an ABBA track until someone physically removes me from the stage. It’s probably the most unglamorous, silly side of me, but honestly, I think everyone needs those outlets where you’re just having fun and not taking yourself seriously at all.
6 UNEXPECTED CAREER TURNS
INTRO: From costume dramas to sci-fi epics, Rebecca Ferguson has grown a reputation for surprise moves.
MAIN TEXT: ONE White Queen (2013), the breakout period drama that first made her name.
TWO Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), where Ferguson perfected action stardom alongside Tom Cruise.
THREE The Greatest Showman (2017): a surprise pivot to musical extravaganza in which she performed the sensational Never Enough, which stirred Hugh Jackman and millions of onlookers.
FOUR Doctor Sleep (2019), in which she played a terrifying cult leader in Stephen King’s world.
FIVE Dune (2021): a central sci-fi role as Lady Jessica, both regal and human.
SIX Silo (2023), which came across as a dystopian Apple TV+ hit, proving her power on the small screen.