Emily Watson Says Growing Up in a Religious Cult Almost Stopped Her From Starring in ‘Breaking the Waves’: ‘I Was Like a Piece of Wire That Had Been Unplugged’

Aug 19, 2026 4:30am PT Emily Watson Says Growing Up in a Religious Cult Almost Stopped Her From Starring in ‘Breaking the Waves’: ‘I Was Like a Piece of Wire That Had Been Unplugged’

The Oscar-nominated actor is at the Sarajevo Film Festival as the president of the jury and the recipient of an honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award

By Rafa Sales Ross

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Rafa Sales Ross

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Courtesy of Sarajevo Film Festival

Emily Watson is one of the most lauded actors working today, having earned multiple Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations, as well as winning a Silver Bear in Berlin, a European Film Award and a SAG Award. But growing up in a religious cult almost ended her illustrious career before it even began. 

Speaking at the Sarajevo Film Festival, where she is presiding over the jury as well as receiving an honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award, the “Chernobyl” star spoke candidly about the experience of growing up as part of the School of Philosophy and Economic Science. The London-based organization advocates for conservative values, with strictly traditional gender roles and sexual ethics, and has often been described by former members as a sect, new religious movement, and a cult, with Watson describing it as the latter.  

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