Tom Holland has decided to take a hiatus from his acting career following the challenging experience of filming the Apple TV+ series “The Crowded Room,” which had a significant impact on his mental health.
The 27-year-old actor, known for his role as Spider-Man, will be starring in the psychological thriller set to premiere on June 9. In the show, Tom portrays Danny, an antisocial young man wrongly accused of a shooting, exploring themes of trauma and mental well-being.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Tom revealed that the filming process for “The Crowded Room” led him to face difficulties in distinguishing between his own identity and that of his character.
He shared, “I’m no stranger to the physical aspects of the job, doing the whole action-movie thing. But the mental aspect really beat me up, and it took a long time for me to recover afterward, to sort of get back to reality.” Tom expressed how he started seeing elements of Danny in his personal life, leading to a meltdown.
Tom elaborated on this challenging experience during an interview with Extra TV, expressing his initial fear of taking on the role. He emphasized the importance of shedding light on mental health issues caused by trauma and how his character resonated deeply with him. Reflecting on his time on set, Tom acknowledged the added pressure of being a producer for the series, which intensified the emotional and mental strain. Despite the difficulties, he mentioned that he enjoyed the process but ultimately felt broken by it.
To recuperate, Tom decided to take a break, revealing that he escaped to Mexico for a week, spending time on the beach. He shared, “I’m now taking a year off, and that is a result of how difficult this show was.” During his hiatus, Tom has been focusing on reconnecting with his loved ones, spending time with family and friends, playing golf, and tending to plants. His goal is to lead a more relaxed and ordinary life during this time away from the spotlight.
Although the experience was challenging, Tom acknowledged the positive aspects it brought to his life. He mentioned feeling more confident as an actor and better equipped to handle confrontation and challenging situations. Tom expressed that he has grown and matured significantly during the 10 months of working on “The Crowded Room” compared to his entire career.
Tom Holland’s decision to prioritize his mental health and take a break serves as a reminder of the importance of self-care and recognizing personal limits, even for individuals in demanding professions like acting. By sharing his experiences, Tom brings attention to the significant impact that intense roles and production responsibilities can have on mental well-being.
