Full Circle: Charity Wakefield Talks Preschool, Working with Josh Duhamel and the Chaos of Parenting

Ahead of the upcoming comedy Preschool, The Fan Carpet caught up with actress Charity Wakefield — who audiences may also recognise from her recent appearance alongside Jude Law in an Uber Eats campaign, for a virtual junket interview.

For us, the conversation also marked a full-circle moment. We last spoke with Wakefield 11 years ago in London during press for Scar Tissue, making this reunion a fitting reflection on a career that continues to evolve across film, television and now, behind the camera.

Speaking about what drew her to Preschool, Wakefield revealed that the project struck a personal chord. “As a parent of a four-year-old at the time, I was literally thinking about where my child was going to go to school,” she explained. “Then in came this script about parents worrying about exactly that — I thought, well, I’m the right person for this job.”

The film, which sees Wakefield star opposite Josh Duhamel — who also directs — offered a unique dynamic on set. However, any concerns quickly disappeared.

“I did wonder how it would work with him directing and acting, but it was an absolute dream,” she said. “He was incredibly open and encouraged us to really take hold of our characters. There was a lot of improvisation, which made it such a fun environment.”

That improvisational energy became clear from the very first day of filming. “The first thing we shot was a padel scene, and it was mostly improvised,” Wakefield recalled. “Within seconds I realised this was going to be fun — and chaotic. I even ended up bumping my head because I got so into it. But that’s what made it so enjoyable, we were just playing and discovering the characters as we went.”

While Preschool leans heavily into comedy, Wakefield is keen to highlight the emotional depth at its core. “I’d describe it as humour with heart,” she said. “All the best comedies have something meaningful underneath. This film looks at parenting, relationships, and the pressure of trying to make the right choices for your children — it’s something everyone can relate to.”

She added that the film offers both escapism and reflection. “I hope audiences have fun first and foremost — we all need that. But there’s also something in there about human nature, about why we behave the way we do, especially as parents.”

Looking ahead, Wakefield revealed she is stepping into a new creative phase in her career. “I’m starting to direct and produce my own projects,” she shared. “It feels like a natural progression. I’ve always been interested in what’s happening behind the camera, so it’s exciting to finally move into that space.”

With Preschool promising a blend of sharp comedy and heartfelt storytelling, Wakefield’s performance — and her clear passion for the material — looks set to resonate with audiences.

Watch the full interview below:

Preschool Film Page

Preschool is released digitally on April 6 from Republic Pictures