Florence Pugh hints at stepping back from acting

Florence Pugh has opened up about the need to slow down and take better care of herself after years of maintaining an intense work schedule. The actress, who has become one of Hollywood’s most recognisable young stars, admitted that she reached a point where constantly working began to affect her well-being.

During a recent interview and photoshoot, Pugh explained that she now wants to prioritise rest, family and close friendships. She acknowledged that she had repeatedly told herself she needed to slow down but continued accepting demanding projects without giving herself enough time to recover.

“Taking care of myself. It’s that simple. Being able to breathe,” Pugh said while reflecting on her changing approach to work and personal life. She admitted that despite previously recognising the need for a break, she never actually managed to slow her pace.

According to the actress, working continuously eventually left her feeling burned out. She now intends to spend more time with the people closest to her and create more space away from the pressures of her career.

Pugh also explained that taking time to recharge is important because of the demanding roles she continues to take on. For her, success is no longer simply about how many projects she completes or how far her career progresses. Instead, she believes learning when to stop and give herself a break is an important achievement.

Despite her desire for more balance, Pugh remains attached to several highly anticipated Hollywood projects. Her upcoming slate includes Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Avengers: Doomsday, Dune: Part Three and East of Eden. With several major productions ahead, her comments suggest that she is becoming more conscious of maintaining a healthier balance between her professional commitments and personal life.

Her remarks also come amid continued interest in her personal life, particularly speculation surrounding her relationship with actor Finn Cole. Engagement rumours surrounding the pair gained attention earlier this year after Pugh was spotted wearing a sparkling ring while attending Dracula at the Noel Coward Theatre in London.

Pugh and Cole first became linked romantically in September 2024 after they were reportedly seen leaving an after-party together. Since then, speculation about their relationship has continued, although neither actor has publicly confirmed that they are dating.

The pair have reportedly known each other for years, with romance rumours gaining further attention around the London premiere of The Perfect Couple. Reports later suggested that they had been quietly getting to know each other and could potentially be considering marriage.

Pugh has generally kept details of her romantic life private. During a 2025 magazine cover interview, however, she confirmed that she was in a relationship and described herself as being “very much in love.” She also suggested that she was approaching romance differently than she had in the past.

Although she did not identify her partner by name, her comments added further interest to speculation surrounding Cole. For now, Pugh appears focused on finding a healthier rhythm in both her personal and professional life while continuing to take on some of the biggest roles of her career.