Noémie Merlant to announce shock retirement from acting?

Sad news for Merlant fans. Speculation had been rife that the French actress best known for her role in Portrait of a Lady on Fire, is about to announce her retirement from acting, at age 37, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 21/05/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an actress isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an actress just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouNoémie

For a little while on Wednesday evening, #ThankYouNoémie was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“Noémie Merlant was unlike any other actress we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouNoémie”
— @universalObserver, 20 May 2026

“I thought Noémie Merlant retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 20 May 2026

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