Catherine Zeta-Jones Gets Emotional Filming Kill Jackie in Wales
Catherine Zeta-Jones has a special connection to her latest television project, Kill Jackie. The Welsh actress returned to her hometown of Swansea to film scenes for the new action thriller, turning the experience into a meaningful moment in her decades-long career.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Zeta-Jones described filming in Wales as emotional and rewarding. The series also gave her an opportunity to portray a Welsh character while using her natural Welsh accent on screen for the first time.
The actress stars as Jackie Price in the thriller, which premiered on October 2, 2026. Based on Nick Harkaway’s novel The Price You Pay, the series combines action, suspense, and a story about confronting the past.
Catherine Zeta-Jones Returns to Her Hometown for Kill Jackie
Filming in Swansea made Kill Jackie particularly personal for Zeta-Jones. Although she has played a wide range of characters throughout her career, this project marked the first time she portrayed a Welsh character and filmed in her hometown.
One episode takes place in Swansea, where Jackie returns home and makes an important discovery. According to Zeta-Jones, the scenes carry emotional significance and helped make the production an especially memorable experience.
Speaking to PEOPLE, the actress explained how much she enjoyed returning to her roots for the project. She described the experience as both touching and wonderful.
For Zeta-Jones, the connection between the character and her Welsh background added another layer to the role. Rather than simply performing in a new location, she was working in a place closely tied to her own life.
The Actress Celebrates Her Welsh Heritage
Zeta-Jones has spoken proudly about her Welsh identity, and Kill Jackie gave her another opportunity to celebrate it.
Discussing the series with PEOPLE, she expressed pride in being part of a production connected to her Welsh history. She also emphasized that living and working away from Wales has not weakened her connection to her homeland.
Her return to Swansea therefore represents more than a filming milestone. It also reflects the importance of personal history and cultural identity in her life and career.
The series brings those themes into the story through Jackie Price, a woman whose journey eventually leads her back toward her past. This connection between the character’s experiences and the actress’s own background makes the Welsh setting especially meaningful.
Catherine Zeta-Jones Uses Her Natural Welsh Accent on Screen
Another important aspect of the role is Zeta-Jones’ use of her natural Welsh accent.
The actress has performed with different accents in numerous film and television projects. However, speaking in her own accent allowed her to approach the character differently.
In her PEOPLE interview, Zeta-Jones explained that working without having to maintain another accent felt liberating. She said it also made improvisation easier.
She previously found improvisation intimidating at times because she had to concentrate on particular words while delivering dialogue. Using her natural voice helped remove that additional challenge, allowing her to focus more directly on the performance.
For an actor, an accent can shape the rhythm, delivery and personality of a character. In this case, using her own voice offered Zeta-Jones a more familiar way to bring Jackie to life.
What Is Kill Jackie About?
Kill Jackie follows Jackie Price, a wealthy art dealer who has spent years building a luxurious life after leaving her criminal past behind.
Her carefully maintained existence changes when she learns that a group of deadly assassins known as the Seven Demons has been hired to kill her.
Believing that someone connected to her former life is responsible, Jackie returns to the instincts she once relied on to survive. She begins a dangerous mission across Europe to confront the assassins before they reach her.
The story takes viewers through several European locations, including Spain, Portugal, England, and Wales. The return to Wales also brings Jackie closer to secrets connected to her past.
The series is based on The Price You Pay, a novel by Nick Harkaway, who writes under the pen name Aidan Truhen. Zeta-Jones also serves as an executive producer on the television adaptation.
When and where can you watch Kill Jackie?
Kill Jackie premiered on October 2, 2026. In the United States, the eight-episode thriller is available on AMC+, with new episodes scheduled to arrive weekly.
Viewers in the United Kingdom and Ireland can watch the series on Prime Video, where all eight episodes launched on October 2.
The production brings together an international cast, including Daniel Ings, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Ron Perlman, and Bill Paterson, alongside Zeta-Jones.
With its revenge-driven storyline and personal Welsh connection, Kill Jackie offers audiences a different side of the actress. Her return to Swansea and first on-screen use of her natural Welsh accent also make the series a notable milestone in her career.
Ultimately, the project connects an intense fictional journey with a real sense of home. For Zeta-Jones, that combination appears to be one of its most rewarding elements.