Annabelle Wallis has opened up about her role in Netflix’s Unabomber, the possibility of reuniting with filmmaker James Wan and the alternate paths her Peaky Blinders character Grace Shelby could have taken. The actress also reflected on the difficult question at the heart of Unabomber and how her own upbringing continues to influence the roles she chooses. In the film, Wallis plays Christiana Morgan, the Harvard researcher who worked alongside psychologist Henry Murray on controversial experiments involving a teenage Ted Kaczynski.
Annabelle Wallis Discusses Unabomber's Defining Question
Wallis believes the psychological study depicted in Unabomber had an impact on Kaczynski, particularly because of the age at which he experienced it. She pointed to adolescence as a formative period and questioned what prolonged psychological pressure could do to a 16-year-old.
For Wallis, playing Christiana Morgan also meant confronting the character’s own responsibility. She believes Morgan would have experienced guilt in private because she participated in experiments that subjected a young student to intense psychological stress.
Wallis also tried to understand Morgan’s ambitions within the male-dominated academic world of the time. She viewed the character as an intellectually ambitious woman who may have wanted recognition for her work, even as those ambitions complicated her choices.
James Wan Reunion Could Happen Again
Fans of Wallis’ horror work could have another reason to be excited. The actress revealed that James Wan recently sent her a message telling her to “watch this space,” suggesting that he may have something to discuss with her in the future. Wallis previously worked with Wan on Malignant, where she played Madison Lake.
She recalled their approach to the film as fearless and deliberately extreme, with Wan encouraging her to embrace the most outrageous version of the material. The actress remains enthusiastic about their creative relationship and said she would readily trust him again should another collaboration come together.
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Wallis Reflects On Grace Shelby And Peaky Blinders
Wallis also addressed the legacy of Grace Shelby, her beloved Peaky Blinders character. Grace was killed during the third season, but Wallis revealed that creator Steven Knight has told her he regrets that decision. According to the actress, Knight has acknowledged that he did not realise how strongly viewers would connect with Grace and Tommy Shelby’s relationship when the decision was originally made.
Their chemistry eventually became one of the show’s most remembered relationships. Wallis also revealed that she has not watched Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, although she remains close to members of the original cast and is aware of the different versions of the story that had once been discussed.
Annabelle Wallis Embraces Different Genres
Wallis says she has never wanted to follow a single career path. Instead, she prefers moving between genres and taking roles that allow her to explore different sides of performance. She also believes her upbringing in Portugal has influenced her approach to acting. After growing up in a Latin environment before returning to the United Kingdom, she often felt that casting expectations did not completely match her personality and background.
That experience has encouraged her to embrace characters who do not fit obvious stereotypes. From Grace in Peaky Blinders to Christiana Morgan in Unabomber and her work with Wan, Wallis continues to choose projects that offer room for unpredictability and emotional depth.
Final Take
Annabelle Wallis has offered an insight into the personal and professional experiences shaping her latest work. From questioning the psychological impact explored in Unabomber to teasing a possible James Wan reunion and reflecting on Grace Shelby’s lasting Peaky Blinders legacy, the actress remains open to roles that challenge expectations.
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