You never know your limits until you work with Tom Cruise. For Hayley Atwell, she met that limit on the set of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, filming on the frigid expanse of the Arctic Ocean.
“We were on a frozen sea at minus 40°C. At one point, we were standing in front of a glacier that you could hear cracking and we see a polar bear walk by,” Atwell tells The National.
“Meanwhile, I’m having to ensure that I don’t expose my skin for too long to avoid getting frostbite and all the time I’m focused on improvising a scene with a woman whose language I don’t share.
“When you’re watching this movie, you’re really watching people push themselves way beyond what even they think they’re capable of doing.”
There’s no acting school – no school of any kind – that prepares you for an experience like that. It’s gruelling work – months of your life that will end up as only a few fleeting moments on screen. That’s a challenge that not all are up for, which is why many actors and filmmakers don’t stick around for more than one Mission: Impossible film.
The question, of course, is why Atwell, 43, would put herself through all that for six years – both in Final Reckoning and its predecessor Dead Reckoning. And the answer is Tom Cruise.
It’s something Atwell didn’t fully process until she was at the film’s world premiere in Tokyo this month. Before the film started, she watched Cruise from afar as he talked to the fans, the event staff and security guards. She saw his furrowed brow and sincere smile as he listened deeply to each of them and thanked them profusely for their work and their support.
“I really felt so emotional on that red carpet,” Atwell says. “What is often talked about is how impressive and disciplined and committed he is. And he is all of those things every single day.
“The thing that is not spoken about as much is his kindness. He has this ability to really meet people where they’re at, and get to know them, and read them on their level and their terms. He was so inclusive of my family being around as well. Working with Tom has meant so much to me.
"We all dedicated our lives and our time and our skills and our talents to showing up for him because we knew how much he was showing up for us, and for the audience."
When you’re around people like that, anything feels possible. And it’s a feeling that doesn’t fade. Three months ago, Atwell was starring in a major production of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing opposite Tom Hiddleston in London’s West End. And mid-run, she got a call from the film’s director, Christopher McQuarrie.
“We were doing eight shows a week. Sunday was my day off, and there were about three Sundays towards the end of the run where I ended up doing Mission: Impossible stunts and scenes,” says Atwell. “One of the first scenes in the movie I actually just did a few months ago.”
Things like that happened so often that Atwell found herself in a state of constant readiness over the past three years as they continued production on the eighth film in the series, in which Cruise and his collaborators move heaven and earth to try to top themselves with each subsequent instalment.
“I was wrapped on this movie 14 times. The first time, I got emotional. They gave me lots of big hugs. Then the next day, when they called again, I was like: ‘Oh, this is awkward. I’ve got to go back and say hi again.’
“By the sixth or seventh wrap, it became a running joke. They’d say: ‘That’s a wrap on Hayley Atwell, see you next week.’”
Even now, with the film in cinemas, it’s hard for Atwell to believe it’s over.
“This has been six years of my life. They welcomed me in and wanted me to thrive – actively wanted me to do well. I was encouraged to come up with ideas myself, and I was a part of every conversation. They gave me so much freedom.
“I can’t believe this is my last time doing all of this,” Atwell adds, before correcting herself. “Well – probably the last time. Maybe. Until I get a call for the next one.”
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is in cinemas now across the Middle East
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
%3Cp%3E-%20Diriyah%E2%80%99s%201.9km%20King%20Salman%20Boulevard%2C%20a%20Parisian%20Champs-Elysees-inspired%20avenue%2C%20is%20scheduled%20for%20completion%20in%202028%3Cbr%3E-%20The%20Royal%20Diriyah%20Opera%20House%20is%20expected%20to%20be%20completed%20in%20four%20years%3Cbr%3E-%20Diriyah%E2%80%99s%20first%20of%2042%20hotels%2C%20the%20Bab%20Samhan%20hotel%2C%20will%20open%20in%20the%20first%20quarter%20of%202024%3Cbr%3E-%20On%20completion%20in%202030%2C%20the%20Diriyah%20project%20is%20forecast%20to%20accommodate%20more%20than%20100%2C000%20people%3Cbr%3E-%20The%20%2463.2%20billion%20Diriyah%20project%20will%20contribute%20%247.2%20billion%20to%20the%20kingdom%E2%80%99s%20GDP%3Cbr%3E-%20It%20will%20create%20more%20than%20178%2C000%20jobs%20and%20aims%20to%20attract%20more%20than%2050%20million%20visits%20a%20year%3Cbr%3E-%20About%202%2C000%20people%20work%20for%20the%20Diriyah%20Company%2C%20with%20more%20than%2086%20per%20cent%20being%20Saudi%20citizens%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
THE%20SWIMMERS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESally%20El-Hosaini%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENathalie%20Issa%2C%20Manal%20Issa%2C%20Ahmed%20Malek%20and%20Ali%20Suliman%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
