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For her biggest starring role yet, New Zealand writer and comedian Rose Matafeo is tackling impending parenthood with a healthy dose of honesty and humour. In new film Baby Done, the 28-year-old portrays Zoe, a wannabe adventurer who freaks out when she discovers she has fallen pregnant to her long-term boyfriend Tim (Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films). Fearing her life will no longer be her own, Zoe rushes to tick everything off her bucket list while her partner embraces the change. Here, Matafeo, who also starred in ABC comedy Squinters, tells WHO all about her fun new film …
Why did Baby Done appeal to you?
I think it appealed to me because I love the writing of this story and that it’s real. All too often, in films or shows about people being pregnant, they’re happy all the time. There aren’t many films around that just have the pregnant woman freaking out about it. It’s like a reversal of what we’ve come to expect to see in stories like this. It’s usually the guys who are all like, “Oh man, duuuuude, I’m not ready to be a parent yet.” But in this film, it’s the dad who’s ready to nest and who’s excited and Zoe isn’t ready to settle down yet.
How have women responded to the film?
It’s interesting because as soon as the trailer came out so many women said, “This is exactly how I felt but I haven’t seen that represented before.” That tumultuous time emotionally hasn’t been seen, so it’s been really nice to be a part of broadening the portrayals of pregnant women out there.
Do you have kids?
I don’t have kids and I don’t plan on having them any time soon, but I think I would react very similarly to Zoe. That’s probably why I was cast! I think this role has added years to my baby-making schedule.
What’s next for you?
I’m based in London now and I’m working on a new BBC Three series called Starstruck. My comedy special Horndog has just come out in the US also. I spent the first six months of this year at home in NZ enjoying Aperol spritzes with my nan during lockdown. It’s been a crazy year.
(Baby Done is in cinemas now)
THE COMEDIAN SPILLS ON HER REFRESHINGLY HONEST NEW FILM ABOUT IMPENDING MOTHERHOOD