Helena Bonham Carter Opens Up About Marriage, Divorce, and Maintaining Privacy

Ahead of her captivating performance in Netflix’s Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, the acclaimed actress Helena Bonham Carter has shared insightful perspectives on her views regarding marriage and her separation from Tim Burton. The upcoming series, releasing January 15th, features Bonham Carter as a gender-swapped Lady Caterham, adding a fresh twist to Christie’s 1929 novel.

Known for her selective approach to roles, Bonham Carter is equally guarded about her personal life. However, in a recent interview, she spoke candidly about the “transformative” nature of her split from Burton, and the crucial role her friends played during that challenging time. The pair, who met on the set of Planet of the Apes in 2001, shared 13 years together and two children, Billy and Nell, but never married, announcing their separation in 2014.

Why Marriage Wasn’t For Her

Appearing on the Fashion Neurosis podcast, Bonham Carter explained her reluctance towards marriage. “We’re not meant to be forever,” she stated, adding, “I’ve never actually got married because I can’t honestly make that promise, because I just don’t think it’s a healthy one.” She further suggested that her ADHD diagnosis may have influenced this decision, noting the overwhelming nature of wedding planning. “I’ve got ADHD, the idea of organising a wedding – I’d be so obsessive about every single choice,” she confessed.

The Power of Friendship During Divorce

Bonham Carter emphasized the invaluable support she received from her friends during her divorce. “I was incredibly grateful for my friendships,” she shared. “I think my appreciation of them got bigger. They supported me through this huge change. When you go through a divorce, you rely on the other people around you to help carry the family.” She described needing to “hitchhike on other people’s families” when her own felt unstable, highlighting the importance of community during times of upheaval. “In a family as close as ours, divorce is transformative,” she concluded.

Protecting Her Privacy in the Public Eye

The actress also addressed her deliberate choice to maintain privacy and avoid engaging with media scrutiny. “There’s only one way of surviving in this business, and that is don’t engage with what’s online or in the press,” she explained. “That is the sum total of what people want you to be, and is very little about oneself. Otherwise, there lies madness.” She stressed the importance of disengaging from external validation, stating, “As long as I have continued to not give a f*** frankly, that is the important bit. If you’re trying to create something, you have to not give a f***.”

Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials is available on Netflix from January 15th. For more on the series, you can visit Netflix’s official website.

Source: Woman & Home