British star Naomi Watts is currently at the San Sebastian Film Festival to receive the prestigious Donostia Award, and she is using the spotlight to highlight a major shift in the industry. Reflecting on her career, Watts shared that she was initially warned that her opportunities would vanish once she hit 40. Now in her late 50s, the actress finds the current landscape encouraging, specifically pointing to last week’s Emmy nominations. With stars like Jean Smart, Allison Janney, and Rhea Seehorn receiving recognition in major categories, Watts noted that the narrative is finally changing to reflect the stories of women who are both creators and consumers of film and television.
Beyond her advocacy for age representation, Watts is in Spain to promote her latest project, The Housewife. Directed by Ben Shirinian, the film is a 1964-set true story about a journalist tracking a Nazi officer in New York. Watts plays Hermine, the officer’s wife, a role she describes as a dark departure from her usual work. While the film deals with heavy historical themes, Watts emphasized that she wants the project to spark important dialogues about global conflicts and the need to protect minorities in today’s volatile political climate. She remains vocal about her support for the LGBTQ community and her commitment to standing up against intolerance.
Looking back at her path to stardom, Watts also opened up about the transformative power of David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive. Before that career-defining role, she spent a decade facing constant rejection and struggling to find her footing in the industry. She credits Lynch for seeing past her defenses and giving her the breakthrough she needed. Though she has since collaborated with legendary directors like Clint Eastwood and Noah Baumbach, the actress admitted she still has her eye on working with Paul Thomas Anderson in the future. As she continues to take on challenging, villainous, and deeply psychological roles, Watts remains a powerful force in modern cinema.