A 'humbling' career move led to Catherine Zeta-Jones' big break

Catherine Zeta-Jones, the celebrated Welsh actress, found herself facing an ego check when she arrived in Hollywood during the mid-1990s. Having already starred in the popular British series The Darling Buds of May, Zeta-Jones was already a sensation in the UK. However, upon her arrival in California, casting agents began questioning her acting experience, despite her extensive work history since the age of nine.

In a moment of self-reflection for BI, Zeta-Jones admitted, "I couldn't buy anything in the States because I didn't have a credit card yet. I had to start from scratch."

After landing a role in the CBS miniseries Titanic, Zeta-Jones's career took off, leading to her breakthrough role in The Mask of Zorro, which made her a star Stateside. This pivotal move started her illustrious three-decade career in Hollywood. Despite her extensive filmography, Zeta-Jones now returns to her Welsh roots in her latest project, the AMC+ series Killing Jackie, which has her speaking in her native accent for the first time.

In the role of Jackie Price, a Welsh art dealer involved in the drug trade, Zeta-Jones embraces the opportunity to connect with her roots. Speaking about her character, she said, "I love this character. I wanted the audience to come along on this ride with me and root for her." Despite her numerous roles, Zeta-Jones still cherishes her bond with Sean Connery, whom she referred to as a "dear, dear force of nature," and her memorable collaboration with Michael Douglas on Traffic.