Morgan Freeman will miss the entirety of the Special Ops: Lioness UK press tour after contracting a “contagious infection”.
The legendry screen star, 86, has remained in America following doctor’s orders while his co-stars Zoe Saldana and Nicole Kidman promote their new spy thriller across the pond.
The Shawshank Redemption star was notably absent from a string of press appearances in London on Tuesday, with Saldana and Kidman both attending a screening of their Paramount+ show at the Tate Britain.
Prior to the screening, the actresses appeared on The One Show where BBC host Alex Jones admitted she was “gutted” that Freeman wasn’t there.
Of his absence, his representative told The Standard: “Morgan had an infection which was contagious so he was not able to travel. He is fine now. Infection has gone, and he is no longer contagious.”
The acclaimed actor and his co-stars are currently gearing up for the release of their Paramount+ series Special Ops: Lioness.
Inspired by an actual US military programme, the series follows the life of Joe (Saldana) while she attempts to balance her personal and professional life as the tip of the CIA’s spear in the war on terror.
The Lioness Program, overseen by Kaitlyn Meade (Kidman), enlists an aggressive Marine Raider to operate undercover alongside Joe among the power brokers of state terrorism in the CIA’s efforts to thwart the next 911.
Speaking about her role in the espionage series, Kidman told US outlet Entertainment Tonight: “As an actor we live on our emotions – that’s what we use, that’s what we need.
“And a lot of times we have to keep them completely available and sometimes not in check.
“Whereas in this situation, where you’re working undercover in the CIA… you have to keep your emotions in check, you have to be able to compartmentalise.
“[You can’t] think back and deliberate and emotionally respond.”
Kidman also praised the work of show creator Taylor Sheridan, known for his work on projects including Sicario and hit US drama series Yellowstone.
