She dropped exciting news for fans last week as Michelle Keegan revealed that she’s landed a role in brand new Netflix drama Fool Me Once.
And while some followers congratulated her on the impressive career move – which she teased on her Instagram under the heading “Finally the secret’s out” – a few were left disappointed that it wasn’t a much anticipated baby announcement, with one writing, “I thought this would be a bump reveal!”
Michelle’s new project is an eight-part thriller based on Harlan Cohen’s best-selling novel from 2016, and filming has already commenced in Manchester – meaning Michelle will be spending much of the foreseeable away from their newly-renovated £3.5m Essex home.
And now a source says that while it’s exciting news, the couple understand it means being apart once again as well as delaying starting a family.
The source says, “Michelle’s thrilled about her new Netflix show, but of course it once again means that she’ll be living apart from Mark for at least a few months. And understandably taking on such a big project means delaying the possibility of having a family any time soon.
“While having a baby is something they’re both keen to do, they both appreciate that Michelle wants to achieve her professional ambitions too. The cost of that is being apart from each other for long periods of time and living somewhat separately – but it’s something they’ve agreed on for now.”
The couple have spent a lot of time living apart since they married in 2015. Over the past few years, Michelle has spent several months living in far-flung countries filming for hit BBC show Our Girl, spending eight months in South Africa for season one. Then, last year, she spent four months filming in Australia for TV show Ten Pound Poms – with Mark going out to visit her every so often. Meanwhile, Mark spent two years in LA hosting TV show Extra, which he quit in 2019.
But the ex-TOWIE star has long been open about his broodiness and wanting to start a family, regularly sharing pictures of himself with his nieces and nephews on his social media.
And the source says that while Mark hopes to find himself in a baby bubble soon, he fully respects his wife’s choices, saying, “Mark’s extremely understanding. While he’s really going to miss her, he also understands how devoted and passionate Michelle is about her career, and he would never want her to hold back from doing what she loves as she’ll only end up resenting him.
“Having children is very much on their radar, and while there’s an air of disappointment at having to delay their baby dream once again, they’re also confident in the knowledge that when the time comes, they won’t regret missed opportunities – and will be more fulfilled, content parents because of it.”