Rupert Friend to announce shock retirement from acting?

Friend created a stir on Sunday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

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Sad news for Friend fans. Speculation had been rife that the British actor best known for his roles in The Young Victoria, Chéri or Pride & Prejudice, is about to announce his retirement from acting, at age 44, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 02/02/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an actor isn't fun anymore

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

#ThankYouRupert

For a little while on Sunday evening, #ThankYouRupert 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 him make the decision.

“Rupert Friend was unlike any other actor we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouRupert”
— @universalObserver, 1 Feb 2026

“Friend wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 1 Feb 2026

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