“‘I Don’t Need to Be the Biggest Star’: Sienna Miller on Hollywood, Motherhood, and Her Next Role”
As one of Hollywood’s most stylish stars, Sienna Miller has long been accustomed to living in the spotlight. Yet, in recent years, the 42-year-old British actress reveals a shift in her priorities—she’s now far less focused on fame. With her latest role in the US Civil War epic Horizon: An American Saga, a passion project that spans multiple films directed, written, and starred in by Kevin Costner, Miller reflects on a significant career moment and discusses why she and her partner, actor and model Oli Green, decided to move back to London from New York to raise their family.
Stellar: Kevin Costner reached out to you for his ambitious Western film series Horizon: An American Saga. How did that feel?
Sienna Miller: It was extraordinary. I still haven’t asked him why he chose me. I just say “thank you.” It was very unexpected. Growing up in the ’90s, Kevin Costner was a huge icon for me. I even named my pet rabbits Two Socks and Cisco after his film Dances With Wolves. So, when he wanted to talk to me, I was like, “Is this a prank?” He was incredibly charming, introduced me to the project, and then asked, “Will you go west with me?” I was like, “I’ll go to Mars with you.” It was such a surprise.
Stellar: Had you met Kevin Costner before?
Sienna Miller: No, we had never met. Only in my dreams! And yes, I realize that sounds a bit odd in print. It was just a joke!
Stellar: Your character, Frances Kittredge, is very much a mother first. How did that influence your portrayal?
Sienna Miller: Playing a mother in such a historically accurate and challenging situation is deeply personal. It’s impossible not to relate it to your own experiences. While we have our struggles, the lives of mothers back then were incredibly harsh. It was both difficult to witness and to portray. I would have my daughter, Marlowe, with me and hold her close at night, thinking about how different life must have been for women back then.
Stellar: You were pregnant with your second child, whose birth was confirmed in January this year, during the filming of the second chapter of Horizon. How did that affect your experience?
Sienna Miller: I only told Kevin about my pregnancy, and it was early enough that I wasn’t showing. The corset and big skirts of the period costume helped to keep it hidden. It was manageable, and I was grateful for the discretion and support.
Stellar: What’s a standout memory from the Utah set that you’ll always cherish?
Sienna Miller: There are countless moments. Every day was memorable, whether it was a dust storm or just the sheer beauty of the landscape. The set, with its incredible costumes and changing light, felt like a dream come true. It was everything I had hoped for when I envisioned making movies.
Stellar: You recently moved back to London from New York. What prompted the move?
Sienna Miller: I felt like I had experienced all I wanted to in New York. The pandemic changed my perspective on the city, which felt increasingly focused on fleeting trends and self-promotion. London offers a better quality of life for my family. I can let my dogs run free and not deal with the constant rules and restrictions that started to feel overwhelming.
Stellar: Has the film industry changed since you had your first child?
Sienna Miller: In my experience, I’ve always been able to have my daughter with me on set, which I appreciate. My own journey through motherhood has evolved significantly over the years, and I feel fortunate to embrace motherhood in my 40s. The industry has been accommodating, and every woman’s experience is unique. For me, it’s worked out well. I was even breastfeeding on the set of Foxcatcher in 2014, and it was well accepted.
