In a candid and heartfelt confession, Barry Keoghan reflected on the struggles his mother must have faced after having him, especially given the difficult circumstances of his own childhood. The actor, who lost his mother when he was just 12, opened up during an appearance in a new video by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, as reported by People magazine.
In the video, Keoghan, known for his role in The Killing of a Sacred Deer, discussed the challenges of growing up in the foster care system, his personal experience in 13 different foster homes, and the profound impact it had on him. He also touched on his own experience as a father to his 2-year-old son, Brando, whom he shares with ex-partner Alyson Sandro.
When David Lammy, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, pointed out the emotional weight Keoghan must have carried from his childhood, including his mother’s passing, the actor acknowledged that it “does” weigh heavily on him. Reflecting on his mother’s sacrifices, Keoghan shared that as he grew older and became a father, he gained a new understanding of just how challenging parenting can be. He said, “It was such hard work for her and, you know, her and my father. And luckily there was a good care system there, which is massively important.”
Keoghan expressed a strong desire to work with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to improve the social care system for children. He emphasized the power of using one’s platform to raise awareness about important issues, particularly when it comes to children’s well-being. He added that he would always want to help in any way he can when it comes to issues of care, wanting to “shine a light on it and get attention to it.”