Daniel Day-Lewis makes shock return to acting seven years after announcing retirement

2 October 2024, 14:54

Daniel Day-Lewis makes shock return to acting seven years after announcing retirement
Daniel Day-Lewis makes shock return to acting seven years after announcing retirement. Picture: Alamy

By Christian Oliver

Sir Daniel Day-Lewis is to make a shock return to acting some seven years after he announced his retirement.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The triple Oscar winner will return to the big screen for his son’s directorial debut, a production company associated with the project confirmed.

The Lincoln (2013) and My Left Foot (1990) actor quit showbusiness after leading Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2017 film Phantom Thread, based on the fashion world of 1950s London. He has since largely avoided public life.

A statement from his representatives at the time stressed that "Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor."

But the 67-year-old will come out of retirement to star in Anemone, with his son Ronan Day-Lewis at its helm, according to US independent production company Focus Features.

Ronan (left centre) and Daniel Day-Lewis (right centre) have written the screenplay for X together. They are pictured with Lena Christakis (left) and Rebecca Miller (right) at a screening of 'She Came to Me' in October 2023, in New York
Ronan (left centre) and Daniel Day-Lewis (right centre) have written the screenplay for X together. They are pictured with Lena Christakis (left) and Rebecca Miller (right) at a screening of 'She Came to Me' in October 2023, in New York. Picture: Alamy

Read More: Prince Harry meets with fellow Royal during flying visit to South Africa without wife Meghan Markle

Read More: Veteran singer-songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson dies at 88

The film will also feature Sean Bean, Samantha Morton, Samuel Bottomley and Safia Oakley-Green.

The father and son duo together wrote the screenplay for the film which explores the relationships between fathers, sons and brothers, Deadline reported.

Sir Daniel is known for his powerful performances including as Hawkeye in Michael Mann’s 1992 epic The Last Of The Mohicans.

He has won three best actor Oscars, for playing disabled Irish writer Christy Brown in My Left Foot (1990), oil man Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood (2008) and the former US president in Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln (2013).

Sir Daniel initially made his name in Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971) as a teenager.

Sir Daniel was made a Knight Bachelor of the British Empire by the Duke of Cambridge in 2014.

Daniel Day-Lewis stars in Stephen Spielberg's Lincoln (2013)
Daniel Day-Lewis stars in Stephen Spielberg's Lincoln (2013). Picture: Alamy
Daniel Day-Lewis in what was intended to be his final performance Phantom Thread (2018)
Daniel Day-Lewis in what was intended to be his final performance Phantom Thread (2018). Picture: Alamy

The statement from representative Leslee Dart announcing Sir Daniel's retirement read: "Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor.

"He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years.

"This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject."

The veteran actor did however take a break from his showbiz retirement earlier this year to present acclaimed director Martin Scorsese with an award after his western epic Killers Of The Flower Moon (2023).

The actor starred in Scorsese’s Gangs Of New York (2002) and The Age Of Innocence (1993).

Sir Daniel said working with the director was “one of the greatest joys and unexpected privileges of my life”.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Louisiana death row inmate Jessie Hoffman Jr.

Louisiana death row inmate executed using nitrogen gas after last-ditch block fails

Vladimir Putin laid out demands for a ceasefire in Ukraine following a landmark phone call.

Putin hits energy plant hours after landmark Trump talks as Zelenskyy claims Russia has ‘effectively rejected’ ceasefire

A man rides a Lime rental bike across London Bridge from the City of London in the evening sun

First day of spring to be hottest of the year - as UK beats Barcelona and Athens this week to reach 21C

One major question is whether the prince admitted to taking drugs on the form, which he later admitted in his memoir, Spare.

Harry’s US visa records released with heavy redactions - but questions remain about drugs admission

Donald Trump has ordered the release of the last classified files surrounding the assassination of John F. Kennedy on Thursday, vowing that ‘everything will be revealed’.

'It's a lot of stuff' - Trump releases 80,000 classified pages relating to JFK assassination, honouring campaign promise

A private lunar lander has captured the first high-definition sunset pictures from the Moon.

Lunar lander captures first high-definition picture of sunset on the moon

In this image provided by NASA, a SpaceX capsule splashes down in the Gulf of Mexico, Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

Home at last: NASA astronauts greeted by dolphins as they land back on Earth after eight months stranded in space

One of Tesla’s earliest investors has called for Elon Musk to step down as CEO, saying the ‘divisive’ billionaire has ‘destroyed the company’s reputation’.

‘It’s a crisis’ - Top Tesla investor calls for ‘divisive’ Elon Musk to step down as CEO as stocks keep plunging

Liz Kendall has told LBC that the welfare system ‘has to be reformed’ as the government faces a backlash from Labour MPs for their plans to shake up the benefits system.

‘Can’t duck the issue’ of UK’s soaring benefits bill, Liz Kendall tells LBC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's deadly strikes on Gaza will continue in full force.

Netanyahu warns this is 'just the beginning' of 'full force' Gaza strikes after overnight attack kills 400

U.K. GCSE Exams

Teenagers could sit fewer GCSE exams amid concerns of overstress, Government review suggests

DigDat performs at Wireless Festival 2021 at Crystal Palace on September 12, 2021 in London, England.

Drill rapper DigDat guilty of attempted murder over drive-by shooting in which victim ‘lucky not to die’

Nicholas Prosper was caught on CCTV buying a gun in a car park

Moment killer smirks after buying shotgun in car park hours before he murdered family at home

Vladimir Putin laid out demands for a ceasefire in Ukraine following a landmark phone call.

'Don't negotiate without Ukraine', Zelenskyy says after Putin and Trump agree partial ceasefire in landmark phone call

Rebecca Burke

British tourist held in US immigration detention centre for three weeks due to visa mix-up returns to UK

Fresh images of the remote Antarctica base at the centre of an assault allegation have emerged after the crew begged for rescue.

Inside the Antarctic base at centre of assault mystery as crew plead for rescue