Elle Fanning has claimed she is a “hopeless romantic” while admitting that wearing a prosthetic bump while playing a pregnant Catherine the Great has made her think seriously about having children.
The star of Super 8, Maleficent and All The Bright Places, 24, will return as the historic figure in season 3 of The Great - which fans will be able to stream in the UK later this year.
Fanning - the younger sister of fellow actor Dakota Fanning - spoke about wearing a prosthetic bump for the series to Harper’s Bazaar UK – admitting she was “obsessed” with the way her body looked while wearing it.
The Hollywood star also spoke about believing in “love at first sight” – suggesting she thought it was her “destiny” to fall in love and have children.
The star, who is reportedly dating Handmaid’s Tale actor Max Minghella, about playing a pregnant Catherine: “I was obsessed with it. I had a bespoke bump with boobs moulded onto me that went all the way up to my neck.
“The costume team told me that this is pretty accurately what my body will look like when I’m pregnant... which did feel quite crazy. I loved the way it looked. It made me want to do it, to be pregnant.”
And speaking about her life and professional aspirations, Fanning added: “I’d love to play Grace Kelly in something. And to have kids. But I’m a hopeless romantic. I believe in love at first sight. Call me crazy, but I believe in those things. I feel that it’s my destiny.”
Fanning – who has played Catherine since 2020 - said she had “grown” as a person along with her character.
She said: “I’ve been playing Catherine in such formative years of my life. I’ve grown as a woman alongside her.”
Fanning began her acting career as a child - playing younger version of her sister’s character in the drama film I Am Sam.
As a child actress, she appeared in several films - including The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Babel.
Fanning said she had a strong work ethic - suggesting her parents had alwasys “instilled the importance of dedication” in to her and her actor sister.
“My parents instilled the importance of dedication in us – work hard for what you want, always show up on time, reinvigorate yourself constantly,” she said.
“When preparing for a scene, I get pumped up like before a match, like you’re going out there to try to win something.”
Season 3 of The Great is available to stream on Hulu in the US on 12 May and on Prime Video’s Lionsgate+ channel in the UK later this year.
The May issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK is on sale from 06 April.
