In a recent interview reflecting on her illustrious career, Keira Knightley took a candid stance on the dual-edged sword impact of the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movies on her Hollywood journey. The English actress, who portrayed the iconic character of Elizabeth Swann across the first three installments of the franchise, released in 2003, 2006, and 2007 respectively, opened up about her tenure within the series alongside her notable roles post her teenage breakthrough, during a conversation with The Sunday Times published on November 23rd.
Promoting her latest Netflix thriller, 'Black Doves,' Knightley, now 39, characterized the 'Pirates' films as a force that both "constructed and dismantled" her career "simultaneously." While acknowledging the stigma attached to her due to these movies, she emphasized that their immense success paved the way for opportunities that ultimately led to her Oscar nominations—Best Actress for 'Pride & Prejudice' in 2005 and Best Supporting Actress for 'The Imitation Game' in 2014.
The 'Pirates' movies, Knightley confessed to the British newspaper, "stand as the most triumphant films I've ever been associated with, yet they were also the catalyst for my very public downfall." She added that when reminiscing about that period of her life and career, these films occupy a "highly ambivalent corner in my mind."
A mother of two, the 'Love Actually' star has previously vocalized the challenges she faced post her groundbreaking role as Elizabeth Swann. In a 2023 interview with Harper’s Bazaar UK, Knightley revealed feeling "deeply constrained" and "utterly trapped" by the 'Pirates' movies, noting that the subsequent roles she embarked on were "an endeavor to escape that mold."
