Actor Charlie Hunnam has revealed he adopted two kittens to support his mental wellbeing while playing a demanding role in the Netflix series Monster: The Ed Gein Story, saying the animals offered a valuable release after long days of work.
Pets as a way to decompress amid heavy workload
The 46-year-old told The Hollywood Reporter that he rehomed the cats during the second half of filming in Chicago and was permitted to keep them in his hotel room at the Four Seasons. He said he would return from set and spend prolonged periods interacting with the animals to decompress.
"I adopted a couple of kittens while I was in Chicago for the second half of it [filming]... I came home one day, I’m like: 'Listen, I know this is a wild card, but like, I just adopted these two kittens. Can I can I keep them in my room?'
Hunnam described a work pattern of long shifts, explaining he was working "14, 15 hours a day" and therefore arranged for a professional cat sitter to be with the animals during his working hours. He said he would play with them for around three hours when he returned to the hotel.
- Age: 46
- Daily work hours on set: 14–15
- Time spent playing with kittens after work: about three hours
Practical arrangements and responsibilities
Hunnam emphasised his commitment to the cats’ welfare, describing himself as "a very serious pet owner". He said he hired a cat sitter to ensure the kittens were looked after while he filmed. The actor recounted how the animals had been rescued from the streets and were given what he termed a markedly higher level of care while he was staying in the hotel.
The accommodation staff, he said, were cooperative when he asked to keep the animals in his room, reflecting how some productions and hotels will make individual arrangements to support cast and crew with exceptional circumstances.
Wider context: coping mechanisms during demanding roles
Actors undertaking roles that require immersion in unsettling characters or violent subject matter often describe the need for strategies to separate work from personal life. In this instance, Hunnam chose companion animals as a way to decompress and re-establish emotional equilibrium after scenes that may be draining.
While this account is anecdotal and particular to Hunnam’s circumstances, it illustrates a practical approach to managing distress: arranging reliable care for dependents, creating a secure environment on rest periods and using comforting routines — in his case, extended playtime with pets — to unwind after intense work.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Work schedule | 14–15 hours per day |
| Support measures | Hired cat sitter to cover eight-hour shifts |
| Decompression routine | Approximately three hours of play with kittens after work |
Hunnam’s remarks provide a window into how some performers balance intense professional commitments with self-care. He also noted his broader career reflections elsewhere, describing himself as a "frustrated writer/director" despite a successful acting career — a reminder that public success does not preclude personal struggles or the need for coping strategies.
Implications for wellbeing conversations
The actor’s candid account may encourage wider conversations about how high-pressure professions make space for mental health needs, including practical supports such as trusted carers for pets, negotiated accommodation arrangements and deliberate post-shift routines to aid recovery. While not everyone will or can adopt an animal, the central lesson is the value of planning and accessible supports to protect wellbeing when work is especially taxing.
Hunnam’s example is a personal one: it illustrates how an individual selected and implemented a coping mechanism that suited his circumstances and responsibilities. It also underscores the importance of ensuring dependent animals are properly cared for when owners face extended working hours.
For audiences, the story is a reminder that visible success can coexist with vulnerabilities, and that pragmatic, compassionate arrangements can help people manage emotionally demanding roles.
