Rupert Friend, the British actor known for his roles ranging from the Emmy-nominated CIA operative Peter Quinn in *Homeland* to a singing cowboy in *Asteroid City*, became a father for the first time in 2024. The birth of his daughter—affectionately dubbed their “Jurassic baby”—was far from conventional. At the time, Friend was filming *Jurassic World Rebirth* in the United Kingdom, portraying a corporate antagonist while his wife, Paralympian-turned-actress Aimee Mullins, was at home in New York.

Friend recalls being suspended on a wire, simulating a scene involving a Tyrannosaurus rex attack, when crew members informed him that Mullins’s waters had broken. Facing the decision to board his flight or stay and witness the birth remotely, Friend was momentarily delayed by a flight postponement announcement. This brief hold allowed him to watch the birth via FaceTime just minutes after his daughter’s arrival, before he boarded the plane with no Wi-Fi, sitting alone in the dark as a new father.

At 44, Friend brings a mix of maturity and a youthful spirit to his current projects. Among these is *Youth*, a dark comedy series created by Sharon Horgan, known for *Catastrophe* and *Motherland*. In the show, Friend portrays Pat, the 47-year-old love interest of Horgan’s character, Alex, a divorcee in her fifties managing aging parents, a teenage son, and a demanding career. Pat’s character embodies a carefree, spontaneous lifestyle, contrasting with Alex’s more settled circumstances.

Friend describes Pat as a “good guy” who has yet to confront life’s bigger questions, emphasizing that the show explores characters in a state of uncertainty rather than clear ambition or direction. This portrayal captures what Friend terms the “sandwich generation,” a demographic he feels is underrepresented on screen. Pat, who speaks with a Scottish accent—a creative choice credited to Friend—embodies a humor and cadence distinct from Alex, reflecting different stages of life.

The series echoes aspects of Horgan’s own experience. After divorcing her husband in 2020, Horgan entered a relationship with Irish actor Barry Ward, nine years her junior. Friend notes that some dialogue in *Youth* appears drawn directly from Horgan’s personal life, adding an element of authenticity to the script.

In addition to *Youth*, Friend recently attended the Venice Film Festival for the premiere of *My Notes on Mars*, a science fiction romance. He also previewed *Wild Horse Nine*, a new film by Martin McDonagh starring John Malkovich, whom Friend praises as an Oscar-worthy performer. Malkovich is also cast in Friend’s directorial debut, *Sea Isle*, scheduled to begin filming in the spring. The project, written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Stephen Rivele, is described as a blend of *12 Angry Men* and *Spotlight*, centered on a man confronting his alleged abuse by a charming but manipulative priest, played by Malkovich.

Before stepping behind the camera, Friend will appear in *The Boy in the Iron Box*, a gothic action horror based on Guillermo del Toro’s novel. The film follows a group of mercenaries stranded in a frigid Chinese wilderness, seeking refuge in an abandoned citadel while evading wolves. Friend hints at unexpected twists typical of his varied career.

*Youth* airs on HBO Max with new episodes released weekly on Sundays.