Abbey Lee and Kevin Costner Share Warmth and Admiration During Horizon Press Tour Amidst Costner’s Hopes for New Love

Australian actress Abbey Lee and American star Kevin Costner have developed a strong professional bond while collaborating on his latest project.

The 69-year-old Hollywood icon, who parted ways with his wife Christine Baumgartner last year, has been working alongside the 37-year-old Down Under native on his ambitious four-part film series, Horizon: An American Saga. As the pair embark on a media tour for Chapters 1 and 2, they’ve been seen praising each other at prominent events like the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Abbey, known for her role in Mad Max, expressed her admiration for Kevin’s unconventional approach to filmmaking. “Kevin is rewriting the rules. He’s saying, ‘Forget the system. I make the rules now,’” she remarked during the Venice International Film Festival’s debut of Chapter 2.

Earlier, during the Cannes Film Festival, Kevin praised Abbey’s performance, noting how he couldn’t resist adding more to her scenes in Chapter 2 of the saga. “I wanted to extend her story and couldn’t sleep because of it. Abbey’s so fantastic; she’s one of the most innovative actresses I’ve encountered,” he shared.

Abbey plays Marigold, the love interest of Hayes Ellison, portrayed by Kevin, who also serves as the film’s director, producer, and co-writer. Abbey recounted how Kevin made her feel at ease during the filming of a sensitive scene. “Kevin was very considerate, ensuring I felt comfortable and discussing everything thoroughly beforehand,” she told People in July. “He explained the process, ensuring there would be no nudity or anything graphic, which made the experience more comfortable for me.”

In light of his recent separation and ongoing divorce battle, Kevin has expressed openness to finding love again. In a June cover story for People, he shared that he remains hopeful about the possibility of new love. “I love the idea of finding love again,” he said. Reflecting on life after his divorce from Christine Baumgartner, who filed for divorce in May 2023 after nearly two decades of marriage, he added, “You just keep moving forward, focusing on your kids and staying engaged in their interests.”

Kevin, a father of seven—including three children with Christine and four adult children from previous relationships—expressed a positive outlook on future relationships. “Everyone would like to be in love,” he stated. “There’s a wonderful feeling associated with it, even if it takes a different shape.”