Marvel Star Evangeline Lilly Announces Retirement From Acting, Says 'I AM Ready And...'

Evangeline Lilly, known for giving power-pack performances in MCU movies, has announced her retirement from acting. On Monday, the 44-year-old Ant-man alum shared a post announcing that she is "ready and happy" to step away from her acting career. She added that she is "so filled with joy and contentment" and ready to "live out her vision".

Stepping away from what seems like the obvious choice: Evangeline Lilly

Lilly took to her Instagram handle and shared 20-year-old footage of herself speaking about her dreams. In the caption, she penned a long heartfelt note, announcing that she is stepping away from what seems like the "obvious choice". Lilly added that she might return to Hollywood one day, but for now, this is where she belongs. "I am so filled with joy and contentment today as I live out my vision. Praise God, I feel so grateful for my blessings. Stepping away from what seems like the obvious choice (wealth and fame) can feel scary at times, but stepping into your dharma replaces the fear with fulfilment," she wrote.

She signed off her note by writing, "A new season has arrived, and I AM READY...and I AM HAPPY."

Netizens' reaction to Evangeline Lilly's acting retirement

Soon after she dropped the post, her fans flooded the comment section, expressing their love for her and her art. A user wrote, "You always knew what you were supposed to do in this lifetime, since day 1." Another wrote, "I have been a fan of yours for a while but can’t believe I haven’t watched Lost until now -watching on Disney + now and on Season 4 and wow I can’t stop watching !! So good." Another fan wrote, "And we shall support you in whatever you do. Enjoy having time to be you, to do what you choose and to be whoever you want to be." An emotional fan wrote, "We'll miss you!!!"

A look at Evangeline Lilly’s extraordinary career

Lilly gained fans for her first leading role as  Kate Austen in the drama series Lost (2004-2010). Her performance in the show garnered her a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series. She has also appeared in movies such as The Hurt Locker, Real Steel and The Hobbit. In 2015, she joined the MCU heroes list for her role as a Wasp in the Ant-Man series.