Elizabeth Hurley revives neglected orchard, hand-picks apples with family
Synopsis
Elizabeth Hurley traded the spotlight for an orchard this summer, hand-picking apples with her family from a long-neglected plot she is working to restore. The harvest is now heading to a local juice presser — a slice of slow, sustainable countryside life from one of Britain's most recognisable actresses.
Key Takeaways
Elizabeth Hurley shared on Instagram that she spent summer 2026 reviving an ancient, neglected orchard with her family.
The hand-picked apple harvest is headed to a local juice presser, reportedly yielding x10 bottles per crate .
Hurley was last seen on screen in the 2024 thriller Strictly Confidential , directed by her son Damian Hurley .
Her latest television work is the animated dark comedy Breaking Bear on Tubi , alongside Brendan Fraser and Sarah Michelle Gellar .
Hurley is best known for roles in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and the TV series The Royals .
Actress Elizabeth Hurley has offered fans a warm glimpse into her countryside life, revealing that she and her family spent this summer painstakingly reviving an ancient, long-neglected orchard — and that crates of hand-picked apples are now on their way to a local juice presser.
The Orchard Revival
Hurley shared the update on Instagram, posting a photograph of herself dressed in a crimson red T-shirt and denims, holding a handful of freshly picked apples while standing beside baskets brimming with the season's harvest. The image offered a candid window into a quieter, greener side of her life away from film sets.
In her own words, Hurley wrote: 'I have an ancient, neglected orchard which I finally started to work on this summer. It still needs tons of work but here's the results of this year's effort, all hand picked by me and my family.'
From Orchard to Juice Bottle
The actress added that the harvest is headed to a local juice presser, expressing excitement about the yield. 'Crates on the way to a local juice presser and can't wait to get my juice. Apparently I get x10 bottles per crate,' she wrote, tagging the post with #home #country #apple #local.
The project reflects a growing interest among celebrities in sustainable, locally-sourced living — a trend that has gained considerable traction in British rural communities over the past few years.
Career in Brief
Best known on screen for playing Vanessa Kensington in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and the Devil in Bedazzled, Hurley has built a diverse filmography across both cinema and television. Her notable TV credits include the original series The Royals, Morgan le Fay in Marvel-based Runaways, and Diana Payne in the fifth season of Gossip Girl.
Her first major big-budget film role came in Passenger 57. She also famously accompanied actor Hugh Grant to the 1994 London premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral, a moment that cemented her place in popular culture.
Recent Work
Hurley was most recently seen in the 2024 British thriller Strictly Confidential, written and directed by her son Damian Hurley in his directorial debut. The film also starred Georgia Lock, Lauren McQueen, Freddie Thorp, and others.
On television, her latest credit is Breaking Bear, an adult animated dark comedy crime series created by Julien Nitzberg for Tubi. The show, which parodies mobster films and the TV series Breaking Bad, also features the voices of Brendan Fraser, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Annie Murphy, and Josh Gad.
With the orchard still a work in progress, Hurley's countryside project looks set to continue well into next season.
Point of View
But it fits a broader pattern of A-list celebrities curating a 'back to the land' image on social media — one that resonates strongly with audiences fatigued by glossy red-carpet content. What is quietly noteworthy is the sustainability framing: local juice pressing, family labour, minimal processing. Whether it is a genuine lifestyle pivot or savvy personal branding, it lands well at a moment when rural and slow-living content is outperforming conventional celebrity posts on engagement metrics. For Hurley specifically, it reinforces the pastoral English-countryside identity she has cultivated alongside her acting career.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Elizabeth Hurley post about her orchard?
Elizabeth Hurley shared an Instagram post revealing she spent this summer reviving an ancient, neglected orchard with her family, with crates of hand-picked apples now headed to a local juice presser. She noted the orchard still needs considerable work but called this year's harvest a first meaningful result.
What is Elizabeth Hurley's most recent film?
Her most recent film is the 2024 British thriller Strictly Confidential, written and directed by her son Damian Hurley in his directorial debut. The cast also includes Georgia Lock, Lauren McQueen, and Freddie Thorp.
What is Breaking Bear and what is Hurley's role?
Breaking Bear is an adult animated dark comedy crime series created by Julien Nitzberg for Tubi, which parodies mobster films and Breaking Bad. Elizabeth Hurley contributes her voice to the show alongside Brendan Fraser, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Annie Murphy, and Josh Gad.
What are Elizabeth Hurley's most famous roles?
Hurley is best known for playing Vanessa Kensington in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and the Devil in Bedazzled. On television, she is recognised for The Royals, Runaways, and the fifth season of Gossip Girl.
Who is Damian Hurley?
Damian Hurley is Elizabeth Hurley's son, who made his directorial debut with the 2024 British thriller Strictly Confidential, in which his mother starred. The film marked a notable family collaboration in the entertainment industry.
