Hayley Atwell Reveals Tom Cruise Helped Her Overcome Social Anxiety

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Hayley Atwell recently discussed her journey with social anxiety and credited her “Mission: Impossible” co-star Tom Cruise for his support during a recent episode of the podcast “Reign With Josh Smith.” Atwell, who made her franchise debut as Grace in 2023’s “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning,” will reprise her role in the upcoming “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” slated for release in May 2025.

During the podcast, Atwell emphasized the prevalence of social anxiety, noting, “Social anxiety tends to be something that people talk about a lot at the moment, right? And how a lot of people do have social anxiety at some point.” She recounted how Cruise’s pep talk helped her navigate her insecurities. “If you walk into a room and you feel the anxieties coming, and it makes me want to retreat into myself, I start to overthink, and go: ‘Do I look weird? Do I seem awkward?’” she explained.

Atwell shared how Cruise encouraged her to confront her fears directly. “He said: ‘Try doing the opposite. Try to look out, look around the room, and go… Where is it? Where is the thing that I have attached to my insecurity? Is it that person over there that reminds me of my school bully? That person over there didn’t give me a job once? That person over there that I think was mean to me once?’” By identifying the sources of her anxiety, Atwell found she could better manage her feelings.

She elaborated, “If I look at it for long enough, the anxiety then can have a name. It can have a label or what will happen is, I’ll go: ‘Oh, you’re really jealous’ or ‘I’m really lonely’ or ‘I’m really intimidated by the talent or the confidence of that person.’” Atwell noted that naming her anxiety helped her develop strategies to cope with it. “Tom really likes people to thrive on set,” she said.

Despite some challenges, Atwell’s performance received acclaim in “Dead Reckoning,” though the film grossed $571 million worldwide, slightly underwhelming its box office expectations. Critics praised the chemistry between Atwell and Cruise, contributing to the film’s appeal.

Atwell affirmed her admiration for Cruise, calling him “very kind, very professional.” In a February 2025 interview with The Guardian, she remarked, “When I started, I was very aware of the rarefied air around him and how there is no one like him. He is a one-man studio.” This environment allowed her to experiment with her character without fear, enhancing her performance.

As fans eagerly anticipate the release of “The Final Reckoning,” Atwell humorously remarked, “On the other hand, ‘Tom Cruise’ and ‘final’ are oxymorons, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes, ‘Wait, maybe…’” She recognized that Cruise’s many projects make it unlikely for further installments of the franchise, but her excitement remains palpable.

Atwell’s candid discussion of her experience underscores the ongoing conversation about mental health in Hollywood. Her story illustrates that public figures, regardless of their status, can face similar challenges. The advice she received from Cruise not only helped Atwell personally but may resonate with others grappling with similar insecurities.

As Atwell prepares for her role in the upcoming installment, her journey serves to highlight the importance of support and understanding in overcoming personal hurdles. The film’s release could chart new territory for her character Grace, marking a promising continuation in the “Mission: Impossible” saga.