Keira Knightley rose to fame through her iconic role as Elizabeth Swann in the blockbuster franchise, *Pirates of the Caribbean*. Despite the recognition and accolades that came with her involvement in the series from 2003 to 2007, the talented actress has declared that she has no intention of returning to multi-film franchises.

In a recent interview with the U.K.'s *Times*, Knightley opened up about her evolving priorities, particularly since becoming a mother to two daughters, Edie and Delilah, with her husband, James Righton. She emphasized that her family comes first, explaining, “I couldn’t go job to job [abroad] now. I wouldn’t be in any way fair to them, and I wouldn’t want to.” Knightley has made a conscious choice to prioritize raising her children, which has drastically changed the way she approaches her career.

Reflecting on her time in the *Pirates* series, Knightley admitted that while it catapulted her into stardom, it also brought a set of challenges. She noted that the franchise simultaneously elevated her career and attracted negative scrutiny. “It’s a funny thing when you have something that was making and breaking you at the same time," she shared, noting how the tremendous success of the films was a double-edged sword. “They were the most successful films I’ll ever be a part of, and they were the reason that I was taken down publicly. So they’re a very confused place in my head.”

The grueling schedule of franchise filmmaking is another reason Knightley is stepping back. “The hours are insane. It’s years of your life, you have no control over where you’re filming, how long you’re filming, what you’re filming,” she elaborated.

Despite closing the door on multi-film commitments, Knightley remains active in the industry. She is set to star in the upcoming Netflix thriller series *Black Doves*, where she portrays a British spy entangled in a dangerous love affair. Now, Knightley is focused on finding projects that offer a lighter, more entertaining fare. “I’ve been really surprised in the past few years about what I’ve said no to. I’ve wanted it to be more pure entertainment,” she remarked, adding that she is actively avoiding narratives centered around tragedy, stating, “I keep being offered things about children dying or about mothers dying. Can’t do it.”

Fans can catch Knightley’s new role in *Black Doves*, which premieres on Netflix on December 5.

As she embraces this new chapter, it's clear that Knightley is carving out a space for herself in Hollywood that aligns with her personal values and family life—proving that sometimes stepping back can lead to even more gratifying opportunities.