Emma Stone’s Unbreakable Bond With Bella Baxter
Emma Stone opens up about her lasting connection to Bella Baxter, the character she played in Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things, and why she’d happily step into those shoes forever.
It’s not unusual for actors to struggle with letting go of a character, especially after spending months or even years living in someone else’s skin. Some roles leave such a mark that saying goodbye feels almost impossible. Emma Stone, who’s been in the game for ages, knows this feeling all too well. But there’s one parting that still stings for her, and it’s not because the role was dark or draining—it’s because she simply adored the character.
Plenty of stories have surfaced about actors who find it tough to move on after a big role. Jim Carrey, for example, once said that after playing Andy Kaufman, he lost track of who he was.
“I didn’t know who I was anymore when the film was over. I didn’t know what my politics were. I couldn’t remember what I was about,”
he admitted, describing how the job took over his life. For those who go deep into method acting, that’s just part of the deal. But even for those who don’t, the final cut can feel like a real wrench.
Leaving Characters Behind
Florence Pugh, reflecting on her role in Midsommar, once shared how hard it was to walk away from her character.
“I felt like I’d left [Dani] in that field in that state. I definitely felt like I’d left her there in that field to be abused,”
she said, showing just how much guilt can come with leaving a character behind, especially when their story doesn’t end well.
For Stone, most of her past roles have been fairly down-to-earth—regular people, easy enough to slip in and out of. She could take bits of them with her, or leave them behind without too much fuss. But when it came to Bella Baxter, things were different. This was her most challenging role yet, and the goodbye was the hardest, not because it was painful, but because she loved playing Bella so much.
Stone’s Favourite Role
Speaking to W Magazine, Stone didn’t hold back about her feelings for Bella.
“If I could have a chance to play Bella again forevermore, I would,”
she said, making it clear that her affection for the character runs deep. Even the director, Yorgos Lanthimos, has had a laugh about it. Stone joked,
“I mean, even Yorgos is like, ‘We get it, you miss Bella. Get over it. Grow up.’”
Her love for the project was obvious from the get-go. During the promo run, it was clear she wasn’t just doing the rounds out of obligation. She was genuinely obsessed. In an interview with The Irish Examiner, she said,
“[She’s my favourite character ever], like hands down, by a mile – she’s incredible.”
Stone went on to admit,
“I know that I probably will never ever get to even touch a character like Bella ever again, which is heartbreaking to me, but also incredible because to be so lucky to get to play a character like her.”
Why Bella Stands Out
Some might reckon Stone’s attachment to Bella is all about the success the role brought her, or the chance to show off her acting chops in a way she hadn’t before. But for Stone, it’s much more personal. Playing Bella gave her a sense of freedom she hadn’t felt with any other character.
“Bella is precious to me,”
she said, struggling to put into words just how much the role meant to her.
It’s rare for an actor to find a character that feels like a perfect fit, but for Stone, Bella Baxter was just that. The connection she felt wasn’t about awards or recognition—it was about the joy and liberation she found in the role. And if she ever got the chance, she’d step back into Bella’s shoes in a heartbeat.