**Betty Gilpin Opens Up About Her Role in Romantic Comedy ‘Office Romance’**
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Actress Betty Gilpin has shared insights into her latest role in the romantic comedy film *Office Romance*, where she portrays a pregnant corporate worker. In her conversation with PEOPLE, she reflected on how this character contrasts sharply with her own experiences of motherhood, especially her first pregnancy during the pandemic.
In *Office Romance*, available to stream on Netflix, Gilpin is seen as Sydney, a determined and very pregnant employee who becomes an unexpected impediment in the lives of two star-crossed lovers, exemplified by Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein’s characters. Drawing a distinction between her character’s glamorous depiction of pregnancy—complete with “contour and heels”—and her own much less stylish experience, Gilpin remarked, “My first pregnancy was in the pandemic and I wore all of my husband’s clothes.”
The 39-year-old actress, who has two daughters with her husband, Cosmo Pfeil, noted that portraying a fashionable pregnancy was a delightful change from her reality. “Being fake pregnant in stilettos and chic corporate wear, with full beat, full Kris Jenner beat, was different,” she stated.
Gilpin’s character Sydney embodies a version of herself that the actress feels she has yet to explore in her real life. She described Sydney as “the version of myself that I’m too afraid to be,” indicating that the role allowed her to dive into a fantasy that many women may relate to. She expressed that romantic comedies are meant to provide an escape, filled with idealised representations that stray from real-life motherhood struggles, which often include “hoodies and stained crumbs all over one sweatpants.”
The film, directed by Ol Parker, is not just a simple romantic narrative. In a revealing moment, Gilpin explained a significant scene wherein Sydney, after refusing to take maternity leave, unexpectedly goes into labour in the confines of her corporate office. The chaotic birthing scene, which unfolds atop a desk, is meant to highlight the challenges of being a working parent. “It felt like this meta thing of what being a working parent sometimes feels like,” she quipped, adding that the moment captures both vulnerability and chaos.
To cope with the demanding nature of bringing this character to life, Gilpin humorously remarked about her post-shoot routine: “It was time to go put my real kids to bed! It’s like, ‘Oh, I guess that’s my legacy now on camera forever. Well, time to make some mac and cheese.’” She further reflected on the absurdity of life, saying, “the sun will eat the earth some day. We may as well do things with prosthetic vaginas and make ourselves laugh.”
As she looks to the future, Gilpin has several projects lined up, including Ethan Hawke’s series *The Lowdown* and a Las Vegas-set miniseries titled *The Roman*. However, the actress is most focused on spending quality time with her children, stating, “I am going to colour with my daughters and probably forget that they’re holding markers and then they’ll colour on the couch and I’ll learn how to self-regulate my own rage.”
Her candid reflections convey the hilarity and challenges inherent in motherhood, suggesting that every family experiences their own unique “stained couch tapestry of life.” *Office Romance* also features a talented ensemble cast, including Tony Hale, Amy Sedaris, and Edward James Olmos, making it an appealing watch for fans of the genre.
*Office Romance* was released on Netflix on 5 June, bringing a fresh take on the romantic comedy landscape while addressing the complexities faced by modern parents. As Gilpin’s experience illustrates, the balance of work, family, and self-expression remains a universal challenge, one that this film intriguingly portrays.