Cate Blanchett talks marriage, #MeToo and ‘Black Bag’ amid ‘The Seagull’ debut

When Cate Blanchett, a two‑time Academy Award winner, sat down with Thomas Ostermeier, artistic director of Berlin’s Schaubühne over steaming turmeric tea, the conversation quickly turned from intimate relationship tips to the seismic tremors shaking global politics. The chat, published by The Guardian on 9 March 2025, also noted that Blanchett’s new film BLACK BAGNew York City was premiering the same night, while she and Ostermeier were gearing up for a West End run of Anton Chekhov’s The SeagullLondon the following week.

A Turmeric‑Tea Conversation: Setting the Scene

The interview took place in an undisclosed urban loft, the air heavy with the amber hue of the tea and the faint buzz of city traffic. Blanchett, who has long championed the Time’s Up movement, used the relaxed setting to unpack what she calls “the secret of relationships”: honesty, humour, and a willingness to let things be fragile. Ostermeier, whose avant‑garde productions have earned him a reputation for daring reinterpretations, nodded, adding that a strong partnership on stage mirrors the same delicate balance on a marriage‑altar.

Between Stage and Screen: ‘The Seagull’ and ‘Black Bag’

While the tea was cooling, the pair discussed two massive projects that occupy Blanchett’s calendar. Steven Soderbergh, the director of BLACK BAG, is steering the thriller toward a March 14 theatrical release across the United States and beyond. The film opened at The Lincoln Center in New York on March 9, drawing a crowd of industry insiders and receiving “rave reviews” for its tight pacing and bold visual style.

Simultaneously, Ostermeier’s rendition of Chekhov will launch with previews in London’s West End on March 17, followed by an official opening the next week. The production promises a stripped‑back set, allowing the actors’ emotional riffs to take centre stage—something Blanchett says aligns perfectly with her own desire to return to raw, intimate storytelling.

Personal Life: Arctic Escape and Family Moments

In a separate interview with The Observer, Blanchett revealed a stark contrast to the glitter of premieres: a New Year’s Day spent at –30 °C in the Arctic with her husband Andrew Upton and their four children. She described cutting a hole in the ice for a “fabulous” plunge, noting that “everything… paused.” The anecdote, recounted while she sipped tea at a riverside restaurant, highlighted how the family’s rugged adventure grounded her amid a whirlwind of promotional duties.

Blanchett’s quirky side shone through when she confessed a lifelong fascination with sound design. “If the acting thing didn’t work out, I’d love to be a Foley artist,” she joked, explaining how Foley artists create everyday noises—from smashing watermelons to the clink of cups—to enrich a film’s soundscape. The comment sparked laughter, especially when she added, “Yes, I can burp to order, but not fart. That would be rude.”

#MeToo, Marriage, and Media Fatigue

The Guardian talk turned sharply to the #MeToo movement, a cause Blanchett has championed since co‑founding Time’s Up in 2018. She warned that the battle is far from over, noting that “the industry still rewards silence in ways we can’t ignore.” When asked about navigating the relentless news cycle, she suggested a two‑step approach: limit exposure to headlines, then refocus on tangible tasks—like rehearsals or family meals—that anchor you in the present.

On marriage, she emphasized that longevity isn’t about grand gestures but about daily rituals. “A shared cup of tea, a joke about kitchen noises—those are the stitches that hold the fabric together,” she said, laughing at the earlier “Who are they murdering out the back?” comment inspired by the rhythmic pounding of dough in a nearby bakery.

What’s Next for Blanchett?

Beyond the March 10‑14 media blitz—including appearances on The Today Show, Live with Kelly & Mark, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, BBC Radio 2’s James King, and a taped segment on The Drew Barrymore Show—Blanchett hinted at future collaborations with both film directors and theatre houses. She also expressed interest in exploring a limited‑run “sound‑design” workshop, where actors could experiment with creating Foley effects live on stage.

For fans, the coming weeks promise a rare double‑dose of Blanchett’s talent: a cinematic thriller that will test her on‑screen versatility, and a theatrical classic that will let her return to the intimate, dialogue‑driven world that first made her a household name.