Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning star Hayley Atwell has revealed she was eight months pregnant when shooting some of the film’s action scenes.

The film, the eighth instalment in the action franchise, sees Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team in a race against time (again) to save the world from the danger of The Entity, an artificial intelligence which seeks to conquer all.

Atwell, who reprises her role as Grace from Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that she was “nearly nine months” pregnant during reshoots for one scene, adding that she was “taken care of”.

“During this fight sequence, we came back to it a few times to add a few elements to it,” said the actor, who played Peggy Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “And in this clip, I’m actually eight and a half months pregnant. I’m serious. Yes.

“And I have to say, I was taken such good care of. Everyone was so supportive and they were like, ‘Oh, you can sit down, and we’ll have a stunt double do it.’ And I was like, ‘No! I’ve worked too hard. Let me do it.’ So I did it, and here it is.”

hayley atwell, mission impossible 8 the final reckoning

Paramount

Related: Why Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning should be the last movie of the series

While Atwell shared her own experience from the set, Cruise – who is reportedly making his final performance as Ethan – recently shared his preparation routine for the series’ signature stunts.

“I actually eat a massive breakfast,” he shared. “The amount of energy it takes – I train so hard for that wing-walking. I’ll eat sausage, almost a dozen eggs, bacon, toast and [drink] coffee.”

tom cruise, mission impossible 8 the final reckoning

Paramount

tom cruise, mission impossible 8 the final reckoning

Paramount

Related: Best film and TV tours for 2025

“Oh, I’m eating! Picture: It’s cold up there. We’re at high altitude. My body is burning a lot [of calories],” added the star, who first played the IMF agent back in 1996.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning has been deemed a “fitting finale” for the series following its release in cinemas, with several critics lauding the film’s stunt-work and scale despite acknowledging the “plodding” nature of the storytelling.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is in cinemas now.

Digital Spy’s first print magazine is here! Buy British Comedy Legends in newsagents or online, now priced at just £3.99.

Deals that might interest youShop Sky TV, broadband and mobile dealsShop Sky TV, broadband and mobile dealsStranger Things Hellfire Club Dice Dangle CharmStranger Things Hellfire Club Dice Dangle CharmCredit: PandoraShop Claudia Winkleman's Traitors looksShop Claudia Winkleman’s Traitors looksCredit: BBC / Studio LambertOn SaleRichard Osman: We Solve MurdersRichard Osman: We Solve MurdersCredit: VikingShop PS5 consolesShop PS5 consolesCredit: PlayStationShop Alison Hammond's outfitsShop Alison Hammond’s outfitsCredit: Mark BourdillonApple TV+ 7-day free trialApple TV+ 7-day free trialCredit: Apple TV+Sign up for Disney+Sign up for Disney+Credit: Chuck ZlotnickThe Street of Lies: An Official Coronation Street Interactive NovelThe Street of Lies: An Official Coronation Street Interactive NovelCredit: Octopus BooksDeath in Paradise: The Puzzle BookDeath in Paradise: The Puzzle BookCredit: BBC BooksLettermark

Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media.  His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.