Known for her gripping performances in Peaky Blinders, Happy Valley, and Netflix’s steamy thriller Obsession, Irish actress Charlie Murphy is now preparing for a life-changing chapter.
At 37, she’s expecting her first child—something she’s dreamed of for years but reached only after a long, emotional road.
Embracing the Struggles of IVF and Finding Hope
Charlie’s journey to motherhood wasn’t easy. Over the past two years, she endured five rounds of intense IVF treatments.
Opening up to The Irish Times, she admitted it was both physically and emotionally exhausting.
“It felt like I was at the casino, throwing the dice every time,” she said, describing how each round required a fresh investment of hope, money, and emotional strength.
There were heartbreaking moments too, including a miscarriage.
“It felt tough, arduous, and monotonous,” she shared. “When the last couple of rounds didn’t result in anything, I felt cheated.”
Celebrating the Symptoms She Once Feared
So when she finally got that positive result, her reaction was surprisingly cautious.
“I was happy obviously, but I did have to remind myself not to celebrate too much,” she confessed.
“Maybe it was PTSD from doing a few rounds of IVF.”
Interestingly, she welcomed all the typical pregnancy symptoms—something most women dread.
“I was just so happy to be out of the rounds. I was welcoming everything,” she said with genuine relief.
A Fresh Perspective on Sharing Her Story
Though Charlie admits she would’ve once been very private about doing IVF, she’s since embraced openness. “I’m glad people are talking about it now,” she explained.
“Reaching out to other women who have been through it means you don’t feel so alone.”
Her honesty is part of a wider movement that’s helping break the stigma around infertility and IVF.
And for Charlie, that connection to other women has made all the difference.
Nesting Mode Has Officially Begun
As her due date approaches, Charlie is in full nesting mode.
“I’m feeling really good right now,” she said.
“I have my label maker out, I’m clearing out the junk drawers and putting things in order—and I have to say, I’m really enjoying it.”
Despite all the excitement, neither Charlie nor her long-term partner, director Sam Yates, have shared their pregnancy journey on social media yet.
Still, fans can feel their joy even without the Instagram updates.
A Love Story Behind the Scenes
Charlie and Sam have been happily together since 2019.
The couple, who bought a home in London during the pandemic, keep a relatively low profile, though Charlie has shared occasional glimpses of their life together online.
Sam, a well-respected director known for his work on Agatha Christie’s Towards Zero, has been described by The Guardian as “a major talent” and praised in The Observer for his distinctive style.
From Irish Roots to Global Recognition
Charlie’s rise to fame has been anything but ordinary. Born in Ireland as the fourth of five siblings to hairdresser parents, she gradually carved out a name for herself in the acting world.
Her breakout came in the gritty crime drama Love/Hate, where she starred alongside Killian Scott and Robert Sheehan.
She later captivated viewers in Peaky Blinders and Happy Valley, before taking on a daring role in Obsession, opposite Richard Armitage.
Based on the erotic novel Damage, the Netflix series was dubbed “the sexiest thing on TV this year” and showed just how versatile Charlie is on screen.
What Comes Next for Charlie Murphy?
As Charlie enters this next phase of life, it’s clear she’s approaching motherhood with the same strength and grace she brings to her roles.
Whether or not she returns to the screen soon, her fans are cheering her on as she prepares to welcome her little one.
And while her pregnancy journey was far from smooth, Charlie’s honesty about the ups and downs offers comfort and connection to others walking a similar path.