Evangeline Lilly has made a firm decision: she’s bidding farewell to Hollywood.
The 44-year-old actor, known for her roles in “Lost” and the “Ant-Man” franchise, announced her departure from acting on Instagram. Sharing a throwback video from 2006 taken on the set of “Lost,” Lilly expressed her desire to transition away from acting and focus on humanitarian endeavors in the next decade.
Fast forward nearly 20 years, Lilly revealed in her Instagram post that she’s fulfilled her aspiration, finding joy and contentment in her current path. Embracing her dharma, or life’s purpose, Lilly declared her readiness for a new chapter filled with happiness.
She clarified in an Instagram comment that she’s taking an “indefinite hiatus,” fully immersing herself in her dreams and experiencing pure joy.
Lilly gained prominence as Kate Austen in ABC’s “Lost” and later portrayed Hope van Dyne, aka The Wasp, in Marvel’s cinematic universe alongside Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man. Her role extended to all three “Ant-Man” films, including the latest installment, “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” released in 2023. Additionally, Lilly appeared in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame.”
While Lilly’s departure leaves uncertainty about the future of her Marvel character, Hope van Dyne, she also notably starred as Tauriel in Peter Jackson’s “Hobbit” trilogy. With a family now, as she hoped for in the old footage, Lilly shares two children with Norman Kali.
As “Lost” approaches its 20th anniversary in September and prepares to stream on Netflix in July, Lilly’s announcement marks a significant moment in her career.
In recent years, Lilly stirred controversy for her opinions on COVID-19 quarantining and vaccines. Her remarks sparked backlash, with critics accusing her of downplaying the severity of the pandemic and opposing vaccine mandates. Despite the controversy, Lilly remains steadfast in her beliefs, advocating for what she terms “bodily sovereignty.”