Belated congratulations on becoming parents. I saw that you just had Oscar’s first birthday party. How was the whole day? It looked amazing.

Ed: Really, really special and beautiful. Amy put together an incredible little first birthday party. It was our very close friends and our family, and it was just gorgeous. It was wonderful.

Amy: It was lots of fun. The first birthday is kind of more for the adults in that sense because babies are not really into anything specific right now, and I know obviously from my eldest that later down the line this changes. So you get to do what you want to do.

Ed: There was a teddy bear picnic, and it was wonderful. It was just a really good, calm energy, and the older kids were playing football outside. The weather held up for us. It was very, very special. Lots of good food, lots of cake, lots of great music, a guy playing saxophone, just the way it should be.

Ed wears jacket James Purdey / Shirt and jumper Hackett / Trousers and belt Canali / Boots Barbour
Amy wears coat Almada Label / Boots Le Chameau

I love that. That sounds amazing. My friend just had her kid’s first birthday party as well, and I totally know what you mean. It’s more for the parents because the kid doesn’t really know what’s going on, but everyone is just having a good time.

Amy: Exactly. Exactly that.

So a year on, how has life been for you so far? What’s been the most surprising part for you guys about this new chapter?

Amy: Well, it’s the first time for us, second time for me obviously, I’ve got Andreas, so I kind of know what to expect. But I think what has been different this time for me personally is that it’s been a real team effort, which has been amazing. It’s absolutely fantastic.

He’s great at night, he’s great at nappy changes. And I think it’s just been really beautiful to do it as a team, which is the way it should be. They always say it takes a village to raise a child, it really does. So we’re very fortunate because obviously we’ve got my mum nearby as well, but it’s been really lovely to navigate it together, right?

Ed: Yes, it has been an absolutely surreal, mind-blowing experience. I think the biggest thing for me is having to deal with a new level of patience and compassion, and dealing with my own frustration. You know, in other situations in life, you can tell someone to get lost, you can walk away, you can stop. And when it’s your baby, you can’t, and you don’t want to, even though you want the screaming or whatever it is to stop. Or, you know, there’s poo all up the wall or something like that and it’s all over the place. You’ve got to find a way to deal with your emotions as well, because the child can’t deal with theirs.

And it’s a real practice in that. And it’s been amazing. My brother said something to me years ago when we were talking about boxers, actually, we were talking about the Klitschko brothers, who dominated for years as heavyweight champions. And I’m not comparing myself to a heavyweight champ. But we were talking about when they finally kind of lose as well, and yeah, it’s age, but it’s also dealing with a lot of people, like aggressive guys who become relaxed. So my brother said to me, having kids fills you out. It’s a whole other kind of compassion and patience that opens up in you, and it’s been amazing.

Ed wears suit and shirt Reiss / Cufflinks Mont Blanc
Amy wears dress Almada Label / Earrings Heaven Mayhem

Amy: I think time is also the most valuable currency when you have children. You spend all your time with them, but obviously you’re still ambitious and still creative, and you still have your identity as a person yourself. But then you’ve got this other role as a mother, so it really sharpens that sense of purpose and what you put your time into. Even if you forget all of that, Instagram will remind you with videos of other parents saying you’ve only got one summer with your baby, three summers with your toddler, five summers with your teenager, and then you’re like, oh God, great, yeah, okay.

I can imagine it makes you a lot more patient, for sure. And it’s so easy to get stuck doom-scrolling about other parents saying whatever they want to say. Do you ever catch yourself doing that, or are you just shutting it all out?

Amy: I think there’s a lot of advice out there, and it’s helpful sometimes. Also, I feel like as a parent, you know what’s best for your child. It comes naturally in that sense. You just know what’s right and what’s wrong. The love is immediate and it’s natural, and it comes with not much effort. And I think the whole home is just trying to navigate the new role.

Ed wears shirt and jumper Hackett / Trousers and belt Canali / Boots Barbour
Amy wears sweater Reformation / Trousers Almada Label / Shoes Tom Ford

Definitely. So obviously you’re both actors, and you’re active in the fashion industry. Has parenthood made you look at projects you are considering a little bit differently, or like you say, is it nice to just escape into that world and just not be a mum or a dad?

Ed: I think it’s wonderful. Both of us put a lot of time in with the kids, and we try to put time into our careers as well. And in all honesty, it’s beautiful to have a break. I’ve been very fortunate actually, I haven’t had to go and film anything since Oscar’s been born, I haven’t had any three months away or whatever. So I’ve had this beautiful early bonding time with my son, which has just been incredible. And he’s already my best friend, it’s amazing.

But we’ve both had odd days here and there, or a week away max or something like that. And yeah, of course you miss them and everything like that. But it’s also good. It’s good for mental health to get a little break, even if it’s just an hour to go for a coffee. Like Amy said at the start, her mum’s very close, which has been wonderful, and that’s very helpful.

Amy: When it comes to roles or jobs that are abroad especially, I do want to do things that have a bit of depth to them. I think that comes with age and experience as well, wanting to go away and feel very positive and committed to it because it needs to be worth it. That’s definitely my mindset. So I’m definitely choosing jobs and roles that actually mean something to me and are justifiable, leaving character for a minute or two and then coming back and feeling like I’ve achieved something.

But I think it’s spot on, it’s absolutely important to have your identity still. Like, number one, I am a mum, and that role is my best role. We love our careers, we love work. We’re actually from the same industry. I didn’t know how that would work, coming from the same industry. We are in this bubble. But it’s just that understanding, and we keep together with that. And eventually you’re teaching a lesson, right, and it’s that in the real world people need to go to work, people have responsibilities, and people sometimes have to do things they don’t want to do and make sacrifices and all of that. And that is the reality of life.

Ed wears jacket James Purdey / Shirt and jumper Hackett / Trousers and belt Canali / Boots Barbour
Amy wears coat Almada Label / Boots Le Chameau

Ditto. Is there a particular role from your past that hits differently now through the lens of being a mum or a dad?

Ed: That’s a good question. Amy, do you want to answer that? I’m reflecting on it.

Amy: I am obviously from an Indian film background. Those films are larger than life, and some of the characters are over the top but eccentric and, you know, a completely different world from what I am as a person. And I massively enjoy doing that. And I think for the audience as well, we need a little bit of escapism and we need a little bit of star power and entertainment. I don’t think I can correlate the two between real life and what’s on screen. So I enjoy playing those roles, and I think audiences like to see that. But I do definitely separate the two, reality and what’s on screen.

Ed: What I would say is that it’s rather about the experience that Oscar will have, and Andreas does already, because he’s been on set. It’s about the experience they will have and the relationship they’ll have with movies or TV or something like that. I grew up not knowing anyone who’d be in a movie, not knowing anyone who’d be on screen. These actors were mythical figures. I’d go to the cinema and I’d just be completely captivated. You are receiving it how it’s intended to be delivered.

The gift in our situation is that they get to see behind the curtain a little bit, which Andreas already does. He’s like, “That was CGI!” It spoils the experience, which is so magical, a little bit. But also then, you get to come on set and see that, and you never know, it might spark something in them that they want to do in that industry.

Amy: Andreas is actually already saying to Ed, when is Sandokan season two filming because you promised me a role as a pirate. Haha!

Ed wears suit and shirt Reiss / Cufflinks Mont Blanc
Amy wears dress Almada Label / Earrings Heaven Mayhem

Ha, he’s the future. He’s ready for it. I was actually going to ask you about Sandokan, Ed! I saw there was lots of horse riding. Did you know how to horse ride before, or did you have to learn it? I’m asking because I hear a lot of funny stories about how actors get themselves into learning something last minute for a role!

Ed: So, I can ride a horse.

Amy: I’ll tell you a secret though. When we met, Ed could horse ride. You had done it in a film, I think!

Ed: Yeah, I have a little bit.

Amy: So I’m a horse girl fanatic. Like, it’s in my blood.

Ed: Well, guess who fell off more on our safari horseback ride?

Amy: I was just a bit more adventurous than you. Ed booked for our first New Year away together a horseback excursion, which was intense. You ride horseback from like 4am in the morning until sunset. And Ed, you did training and had horse riding lessons. So he booked the trip in order for us to have an extra bonding moment.

Ed wears full look Canali / Top The Frankie Shop
Amy wears Jacket Vintage Dior / Top and trousers Almada Label / Shoes Vintage Gucci

Ed: Yeah, 100%. In typical actor fashion, I did it at a stunt training farm, but the horses are basically bomb-proof. You could blow a bomb up next to them and they won’t move. That’s not the case when you get out to normal horses. I remember the first day they put me on and the horse went to gallop instantly, and I’d never galloped, and I was just like, “Oh my fucking God, I’m not going to be able to do this all day.” It was breathtaking and scary and exhilarating. I felt alive and terrified at the same time. But to go back to my earlier point, who fell off more during that trip? She fell off twice. Yeah, I didn’t fall off. But yes, that answers that question, I had done some horse riding prior. On films they never really let you do as much as you want to or as much as you end up seeing. It’s always stunts because they can’t risk somebody getting hurt.

Wow, what an experience. I would have been scared of galloping too! But in other news, and I just have to ask this because I’m from Munich. I saw that you guys went to Oktoberfest and I was wondering: how did you enjoy it?

Amy: It was beautiful. I don’t know how you guys get so drunk and yet stay so civilised. It was amazing. I found out I was pregnant, right? I think it was four weeks before that.

Ed: We were sober.

Amy: We had non-alcoholic beers in giant glasses. Everyone was like, “Why, why, why?” But it was great to be in the dirndl and in the lederhosen. It was just a great atmosphere.

I’m so glad to hear it. It’s definitely tricky to stay sober there, so well done.

Ed wears suit and shirt Reiss / Cufflinks Mont Blanc
Amy wears dress Almada Label / Earrings Heaven Mayhem

Ed: It was nice doing it that way because you got to just watch it and everything like that. Everyone was great. And the gingerbread.

Amy: The gingerbread is so nice. You don’t have to go there and get completely drunk. You can just eat some nice food.

I do love the food, but the gingerbread hearts I usually find too pretty to eat! It’s amazing that you guys had a good time. But anyway, are there any projects you’re working on at the moment?

Ed: It’s full steam ahead. I’ve got a couple of projects that are in the developmental stage, so not really the right time to mention them. But there may be a show that we’re working on. Sandokan season two is being talked about, so that should be announced at some point in the future. And then just lots of daddying, lots of husbanding, and all of that fun coming up.

Amy: I just did season one of my podcast, which was amazing. I’m a Northerner, I love a cup, and I love to chat. Obviously, it’s a new project for me and it’s in a new direction because having two boys is very time-consuming and I want to be there for them. They’re both at a tricky age where, you know, Oscar’s obviously one and needs on-hand attention all the time, but obviously emotionally Andreas at six needs me to be there as well with schoolwork. So having something that’s in the back garden has been really helpful, and I’ve really enjoyed that. I love having a chat and getting to know people a little bit better.

Ed: That comes naturally to you, doesn’t it, Amy? All these wonderful conversations and areas and things that you’re interested in, and you get new subjects to explore. It’s such a fascinating medium. Podcasts are definitely one of the biggest, if not the biggest, new wave formats that we’re seeing, and you’ve made it work in a way that’s really, really conducive to a new chapter in your life. I think it’s great. I’m jealous.

Top and trousers Almada Label
Bag Metier

Maybe you can join in one time.

Ed: I wouldn’t be very good at it, you know.

That does sound very exciting, Amy. I do agree with Ed that podcasts are not going anywhere. Sounds like you’re both booked and busy. Would you ever consider working together on an acting project?

Ed: Yeah, 100%. We are actually talking about something.

Amy: I think it’ll be a really fun project because obviously we come from the acting world, but from two very different parts of the world in that sense.

Ed: We work together anyway, we do a lot of fashion stuff together, a lot of content together, events and stuff like that. So it’s a very easy thing for us to do. So if there’s a project that comes around that’s creatively satisfying and that we can make work, then of course, you know, it would be a wonderful experience to have.

Amy: As long as it doesn’t end up like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s movie, they got divorced straight after.

I mean, fingers crossed it won’t end like that, but I believe in you guys.

Ed: I think he was technically with somebody else when he was filming that movie, so that’s not going to be the same situation. The impressive part about it was Brad Pitt speaking French. I enjoyed that.

Ed wears jacket James Purdey / Shirt and jumper Hackett / Trousers and belt Canali / Boots Barbour
Amy wears coat Almada Label / Boots Le Chameau

There you go. Full of surprises! Maybe we’ll see you both in a Bollywood film soon. Who knows?

Ed: I need to work on my dance moves.

You’ve got this. Just do some training like you did with horseback riding and you’ll be sorted.

Ed: Yeah, pretty much the same thing.

Exactly! Amy, I just need to know, because you work in that industry, what’s your favourite Bollywood/Indian film?

Amy: Oh, my favourite film… I mean, I’ve watched a lot. I watched a lot of Kumar’s films before I worked with him. I got the chance to work with him twice now. Actually, I might be a little bit biased when I say this, but Singh Is Kinng, which came before Singh Is Bliing. I really thoroughly enjoyed that because I think he is so funny. I think I’ve watched it like 10 times and it just doesn’t get boring for me. So I would definitely say that one.

That’s a good one. Mine will still be Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.

Amy: Oh, classic Shah Rukh. It’s a classic, but it’s just so good. I rewatch it every now and then. It’s a close second favourite. It will just go down in history. The songs in that film are just so good.

It’s too good. Anyway, I look forward to seeing you in a project together at some point, haha. That’s it from me, it was so lovely speaking to you.

Follow Amy / Follow Ed