Hugh Jackman on nerves, sheep puppets, and 'The Sheep Detectives'
Synopsis
Hugh Jackman has spent 30 years in showbusiness and still gets nervous before every project — and he insists that's the point. Speaking ahead of 'The Sheep Detectives', a quirky whodunit where his murdered shepherd's flock solves the crime, Jackman revealed he didn't know who the killer was when he read the script. Neither, apparently, does most of the audience.
Key Takeaways
Hugh Jackman , 57 , says pre-performance nerves are a sign of caring and pushing creative boundaries, even after 30 years in the industry.
His new film 'The Sheep Detectives' features him as shepherd George Hardy , whose flock investigates his murder.
Jackman worked with puppeteer Tom Wilton for most sheep scenes, describing the experience as 'extraordinary'.
Co-star Nicholas Braun made Jackman 'laugh till he cried' on set in the English countryside .
Jackman did not know the film's murderer when he read the script, and hopes audiences are equally surprised.
Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman says staying nervous is his secret weapon — and he would not have it any other way. In a candid interview with Today's Parent magazine, the 57-year-old star opened up about embracing apprehension as a creative force, while also discussing his new film 'The Sheep Detectives', made alongside 11-year-old Edie Chua.
Why Jackman Welcomes the Butterflies
'I have to do things that I've never done before, and I'm not sure how they're going to go,' Jackman said. 'And even though I've been acting and doing different things for 30 years, it all feels like I've never done it before. And this is the time where I'm going to fall flat on my face but now I realise it's a good thing. To have butterflies in your stomach means that you care, means that you're excited, and means that you're probably pushing yourself to do something that you may not have done before.'
The admission is a striking one from an actor whose career spans Broadway, blockbuster franchises, and dramatic prestige films. Rather than treating pre-performance anxiety as a liability, Jackman frames it as a signal of genuine investment — a philosophy he appears to carry into every new project.
About 'The Sheep Detectives'
In 'The Sheep Detectives', Jackman plays shepherd George Hardy, a man who reads detective stories to his flock each night. When George is murdered, his sheep take it upon themselves to track down the killer — a premise that is equal parts whimsical and whodunit. Jackman admitted he had no idea who the murderer was when he first read the script, and he is hoping audiences are similarly caught off guard.
'I haven't met many people who guessed it, so I'm interested to hear what people think when they go to see it, if they work it out or not,' he said.
Real Sheep, Remarkable Puppetry
When young co-star Edie Chua asked whether the production used real or prop sheep, Jackman revealed it was a mix of both. 'I remember lambs coming to rehearsal, and there were some sheep on the field,' he said. 'But most of the time I got to work with this amazing puppeteer called Tom Wilton. He'd be on the ground, and put his hand inside the sheep, and it looked perfect.'
Jackman described the experience of working with the puppet as genuinely immersive. 'Having that puppet to work with was incredible — for my brain, I was literally with a sheep that could talk and think and feel and interact with me. These puppeteers are just extraordinary,' he said.
On-Set Chemistry With Nicholas Braun
Jackman was equally effusive about his co-star Nicholas Braun, best known for his role in Succession. 'Working with Nicholas Braun is funny. That guy is really laugh-out-loud funny. I love him,' Jackman said. 'The film was just a delight. We were in the English countryside in summertime, and it was heaven. Working with him made me laugh till I cried a lot.'
With its unusual premise, acclaimed puppetry, and an unexpected comic partnership, 'The Sheep Detectives' looks set to be one of Jackman's more unconventional outings — and, by his own account, one he approached with the same productive nervousness that has defined his career.
Point of View
And the candid admission that he could not crack the whodunit himself is a rare piece of unguarded honesty in a press cycle usually engineered to the last syllable. Whether the film lands or not, the interview reveals an actor still genuinely motivated by uncertainty — which, at 57 and three decades in, is rarer than it sounds.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'The Sheep Detectives' about?
'The Sheep Detectives' is a film in which Hugh Jackman plays shepherd George Hardy, who reads detective stories to his sheep each night. When George is murdered, his flock takes it upon themselves to find the killer.
Who does Hugh Jackman star alongside in 'The Sheep Detectives'?
Hugh Jackman stars alongside Nicholas Braun, known for his role in Succession, and 11-year-old Edie Chua. Jackman has described Braun as 'really laugh-out-loud funny' and said the two had strong on-set chemistry.
Did 'The Sheep Detectives' use real sheep during filming?
The production used a combination of real sheep and puppetry. Jackman worked primarily with puppeteer Tom Wilton, whose work he described as 'extraordinary', saying it felt entirely real on set.
Why does Hugh Jackman say he loves being nervous?
Jackman told Today's Parent magazine that having 'butterflies in your stomach means that you care'. He views pre-performance anxiety as a positive signal that he is pushing himself into unfamiliar creative territory.
Did Hugh Jackman know the ending of 'The Sheep Detectives' when he read the script?
No. Jackman admitted he had no idea who the murderer was when he first read the script. He said he has not met many people who guessed the ending, and is curious to see whether audiences work it out.
