Actress Michelle Keegan revealed that her daughter, Palma, has begun walking, offering a rare glimpse into her life as a mother. Keegan, 39, and her husband, Mark Wright, also 39, welcomed Palma in March 2025, and have largely kept details about their child private, not publicly showing her face.
During an interview on Friday's This Morning to promote her new drama "The Blame," Keegan shared that her toddler is now a year and a half old and is actively walking. She admitted that balancing filming with motherhood has been challenging, stating, "I was shattered!" Her co-star, Douglas Booth, 34, acknowledged the difficulty, noting that she was "working two jobs at once." Keegan added, "And learning lines. It wasn’t easy but we got through it and Doug was brilliant."
This insight into her personal life comes shortly after Keegan withdrew from a significant ITV drama project. The role, a working-class barrister, was reportedly a strong commitment, with filming scheduled to begin soon. She was set to be replaced by Jodie Whittaker, 44. Insiders described Keegan's decision as a "huge blow" given her prior commitment and agreed-upon filming dates, even before signing a contract. A source indicated that Keegan was eager for the role but found the extensive filming schedule would require her to be away from Palma for too long.
The intensive hours and the project's proximity to her Netflix drama "The Woods" made it difficult for Keegan to commit. The source explained that while dedicated to her acting career, like many working mothers, she had to prioritize being present for her family.
Keegan had previously spoken about the daunting experience of returning to work after having Palma, noting the support she received from production. She also reflected on the past scrutiny surrounding her family planning, recalling periods of intense speculation after she and Wright married a decade ago without immediately starting a family. Keegan stated that she made the decision to cease public discussions about that aspect of her life and has become more confident in setting boundaries as she approaches 40.