Tom Holland says he is eight months into year-long acting hiatus due to traumatic rapist role

The English actor also hit back at negative reviews for new Apple TV+ crime thriller series The Crowded Room
US-ENTERTAINMENT-GQ
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Tina Campbell14 June 2023
The Weekender

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Tom Holland has given an update after announcing earlier this month that he was taking a year-long break from acting.

The Spider-Man star, 27, shocked fans when he shared his plans in an interview with Extra following the brutal filming of his Apple TV+ crime thriller series The Crowded Room, in which he plays a rapist.

Holland told Extra: “I just really, really was terrified by the idea of playing this character, and, for me, that’s a really good thing.

“We were exploring certain emotions that I had definitely never experienced before. And then on top of that, being a producer dealing with the day-to-day kind of problems that come with any film set just added that extra level of pressure.

“I really enjoyed it, I loved the learning curve of becoming a producer. I’m no stranger to hard work,” he said adding: “But then again, the show really did break me. And I’m now taking a year off, and that is a result of how difficult this show was.”

Holland’s career decision appeared to coincide with The Crowded Room receiving an onslaught of negative reviews from TV critics, but he has now clarified that the two are not connected.

“It’s so funny. Obviously, The Crowded Room came out. We didn’t have very favourable reviews,” Holland said while appearing on US TV show Live with Kelly and Mark.

“So the press story was that I have taken this year off because of the reviews. But I’m eight months into my year off. I’ve been chilling at home in London, going to Grand Prixes, playing golf…”

Tom Holland pictured in The Crowded Room
Apple TV+

The English actor who is currently dating actress Zendaya, went on to hit back at the negative reviews for his new show by praising his supporters.

“I would like to say a massive thank you to my fans, and the people that have seen the show because we’re at 94 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes,” he said.

“I feel so grateful that I have a wonderful community of people that support me and are there for me, so I’m honored and really excited for the rest of the show to come out.”

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