Rose Byrne is opening up about the emotional toll of intense acting roles—and her candid confession about how she unwinds has sparked concern among fans.
The 46-year-old Australian actress stars in the 2025 psychological comedy-drama If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, playing Linda, a mother spiraling through an existential crisis. The role pushed Byrne into dark emotional territory, and she recently admitted that decompressing afterward isn’t always glamorous.
Speaking to Radio Times, Byrne revealed that after long, draining days on set, her go-to method for unwinding can be surprisingly simple. “I drink a lot of alcohol,” she said bluntly, adding that sometimes it’s just about having a cocktail and turning on the TV to switch off. She noted that while some people rely on spirituality or religion to cope with stress, she doesn’t follow those paths and instead leans on more everyday comforts.
Byrne also credited her husband, actor Bobby Cannavale, for helping her stay grounded. The couple lives a relatively low-key life in Brooklyn, surrounded by a tight-knit circle of friends and community. “We have a simple life,” she shared, explaining that she also draws strength from her close family, whom she feels increasingly connected to as the years go on.
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You features an ensemble cast including Mary Bronstein, A$AP Rocky, Conan O’Brien, Ivy Wolk, and Ella Beatty. While Byrne’s honesty about the pressures of acting resonated with many, her comments about alcohol as a coping mechanism have also prompted worried reactions from fans who hope she’s taking care of herself behind the scenes.
