Why Carrie-Anne Moss Says Turning Down Movie Roles to Focus on Being a Mom Was a “No-Brainer”

Published: Mar 14 2025

Carrie-Anne Moss harbors no regrets about prioritizing motherhood over her thriving career. In a recent conversation with The Independent, the actress delved into the rationale behind her decision to decline lucrative film offers during the peak of her career, when the success of the The Matrix franchise was meteoric.

"When The Matrix became a phenomenon, I took a significant hiatus to welcome children into my life and cherish every moment with them," Moss recounted. "I recall being conflicted, experiencing a fleeting pang of, 'Wow, I'm being presented with these incredible opportunities. They could be game-changers!'"

Why Carrie-Anne Moss Says Turning Down Movie Roles to Focus on Being a Mom Was a “No-Brainer” 1

She elaborated, "I was cradling my baby in my arms, pondering, 'At the twilight of my days, will I care more about another film on my resume or about the warmth of holding my child in my arms?' The answer was instant and unmistakable—a resounding no. And I'm deeply grateful for that choice. I'm relieved to not harbor any regrets."

Moss famously portrayed Trinity in the beloved franchise, alongside Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne. She made her mark in the original 1999 cult hit, helmed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski, and reprised her role in two sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions.

Eventually, Moss redirected her focus back to acting and returned to her iconic role in 2021's The Matrix Resurrections. However, Warner Bros. opted for a simultaneous theatrical and streaming release that year, which partly affected the film's box office performance.

"It was an unprecedented moment," she reflected on the release strategy of The Matrix Resurrections. "They placed it on a streaming platform [HBO Max]. But I don't dwell too much on others' perceptions. As I've always said, albeit somewhat cliché, one can only master their own experience. That film was a genuine gift, and I cherished every bit of making it."

Moss shares a beautiful family of three—two sons and a daughter—with her husband, Steven Roy. Upon her return to the industry, she has embarked on various projects, including Jessica Jones, Tell Me a Story, Wisting, The Acolyte, and FUBAR, among others.

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