Sebastian Stan Opens Up About Welcoming Fatherhood for the First Time
Sebastian Stan has finally opened up about becoming a father for the very first time.
In April, it was announced that Stan’s girlfriend, Annabelle Wallis, is pregnant with their first child, following sightings of the Mercy actress with a noticeable baby bump in New York City.
During an interview with Deadline on May 11, where he discussed his new film, Fjord, Stan, age 43, reflected on his new role as a father, which closely aligns with the movie’s storyline. In Fjord, his character, Mihai Gheorghiu, navigates his responsibilities as a father while facing judgment from their small-town community alongside his wife, portrayed by Renate Reinsve.
“I want to be a good dad,” the Thunderbolts star shared with Deadline.
As the conversation continued, Stan mentioned, “I’m feeling the weight of being a good father. And also a good man. At 43, it feels like I’m just starting to understand many things. It’s quite overwhelming. I enjoy discovering different perspectives and try to read as much as I can, regardless of the viewpoint, to gain better insight.”
He also expressed that he’s been reflecting more on what it means to be a man.
“Interestingly, over the past few years, I’ve started to equate being a man with simply enduring a plank position for an extended time,” he elaborated.
“It’s about tolerance,” he added. “That’s something we’re failing to teach young men. We need to help them learn to cope with discomfort, comprehend their emotions, frustrations, and anger. Nobody’s guiding them on embracing feelings like sadness, vulnerability, or even crying.”
As he gets ready for fatherhood, Stan reflected on the positive influence of his stepfather, whom he described as a “real man” in his acceptance speech for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical at the 2025 Golden Globes.
He praised his stepfather’s “quiet integrity … this quiet strength, the providing, the listening, and the understanding. It’s about protecting and being there as well.”
“That reflects my thoughts on what it means to be a man. Sometimes, it involves setting aside one’s ego to support one’s family and loved ones, serving as a role model,” he concluded.
In his talk with Deadline, Stan also shared insights about his life with Wallis, 41, with whom he started dating in 2022. He revealed that Wallis, originally from Oxford, England, has introduced him to British television.
“Oh my god! What’s that show we watch all the time where people are just watching other people watch TV? Gogglebox! It’s so funny,” he expressed. “It has this wonderfully strange, soothing quality to it.”
