British actress Samantha Morton revealed that she has not worked for a year, attributing the hiatus to her age. The 49-year-old star, currently receiving critical acclaim for her role as Circe in Christopher Nolan's epic film "The Odyssey," shared her concerns about ageism in Hollywood during an appearance on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast.
"I haven’t worked for a year since making ‘The Odyssey,’ you know, and I’ve got really good agents and a manager, but at the end of the day, I’m 49,” Morton said on the podcast, according to reports. She expressed confidence in her acting abilities but acknowledged the shifting dynamics within the industry.
Filming for "The Odyssey" wrapped in August 2025, and Morton described securing a role in the film as particularly meaningful, not only for the opportunity to continue working but also to collaborate with director Christopher Nolan. "For me it’s more I got to work with Christopher Nolan in my lifetime," she stated. "That’s it. I’m happy now."
Morton's performance in the ensemble cast, which includes A-listers such as Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Lupita Nyong’o, has generated Oscar buzz. She admitted to crying when she received the call from her team that Nolan wished to meet with her for the role.
"Hope and faith that I suppose if you keep at it, and you keep producing good work and the right people see it, then maybe you can carry onward," Morton reflected on her career trajectory. She also shared her intention to continue working in the industry until her 80s.
Morton has had a notable career in film and television since the 1990s. She received a Golden Globe in 2007 for her role in "Longford" and was honored with a BAFTA Fellowship in 2024, recognizing her significant contributions to film and television. Her previous Academy Award nominations include best supporting actress for "Sweet and Lowdown" in 1999 and best actress for "In America" in 2002.