Julie Andrews Steps Away From On-Screen Roles After 8 Decades in Hollywood

The Academy Award winner will not reprise her role in ‘The Princess Diaries 3.’

Julie Andrews in the opening scene of Rodger and Hammerstein’s 'The Sound of Music.” Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images

English actress Julie Andrews is stepping away from on-screen acting as she embarks on a new creative chapter in her life after nearly eight decades in the spotlight.

The 90-year-old confirmed that she does not expect to reprise her role as Queen Clarisse Renaldi in “The Princess Diaries 3.” She played opposite Anne Hathaway in the original 2001 film and its 2004 sequel.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter published on Aug. 11, Andrews said she considers herself largely past on-camera acting and is turning her attention to other projects that allow her to remain connected to audiences without returning to the demands of a film set.

“I think the absolute truth is that I think I’m really past all that now,” Andrews told the outlet. “I’m not completely retired, but it’s a different kind of work that I do these days — [writing] books, and I do a lot of recording of podcasts and voiceovers.

“It isn’t that I’m not enthusiastic for it,” she continued. “It’s just that I really don’t feel I should be part of it now.”

“The Princess Diaries 3” currently remains in development, and Hathaway is expected to return to her role as Mia Thermopolis, while Adele Lim is set to direct the third installment.

While plot details remain largely under wraps, the film is expected to follow Mia as she continues her life as Queen of Genovia, navigating the responsibilities of modern monarchy while balancing her personal and public worlds.

“[The film’s creative team] asked me all last year if I would be keen to do it,” Andrews told In Style magazine in a separate interview. “It was very very hard to say ‘no,’ but I did because I thought I had a wonderful ride, and this one I felt would flourish very well and wouldn’t need Granny going in there at my age.”

Andrews began her career as a child performer in Britain, carrying her from the theater stage in London to international movie stardom.

Appearing in over 50 productions, she went on to become a household name through landmark performances in “Mary Poppins” and “The Sound of Music.”

Andrews earned an Academy Award in 1965 for Best Actress for her portrayal of Poppins. She later appeared in films such as “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Victor/Victoria,” and the “Princess Diaries” franchise.