Ewan McGregor says acting with daughter healed their bond after divorce

At the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Ewan McGregor became emotional while discussing how starring alongside his eldest daughter, Clara, in the film Bleeding Love helped repair their relationship following his divorce from her mother, Eve Mavrakis. McGregor, who separated from Mavrakis in 2017 and finalized the divorce in 2020, described the period as 'a painful time' for his family. Clara, who co-wrote and produced the film, asked her father to play her father in the story about a road trip that reconciles an estranged father and daughter. McGregor admitted he was initially scared when Clara told him she was writing a story about them, fearing it might reflect the anger she had expressed toward him. However, upon reading the script, he found it 'so beautiful and moving' and focused on reparation. He noted that while the film is not autobiographical, it contains many elements from their real relationship. A particularly powerful moment came when Clara had to confront her father on screen, allowing her to express feelings she had previously voiced in reality. McGregor said, 'Clara, just let me have it,' encouraging her to fully unleash her emotions. The film's production became a significant part of their healing process. McGregor's comments come after years of public tension, including a 2019 social media post in which Clara appeared to criticize her father, though she later denied it was aimed at him. McGregor has also worked with his younger daughter, Esther, on the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi, and has collaborated with his second wife, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, on several projects.