Hayden Christensen Reveals How He Bonds With 11-Year-Old Daughter Briar Rose
Hayden Christensen Reveals How He Bonds With 11-Year-Old Daughter Briar Rose
Hayden Christensen is offering fans a rare glimpse into his relationship with his 11-year-old daughter, Briar Rose, revealing that some of their favorite moments together involve something surprisingly simple: watching television.
The Star Wars actor recently opened up about fatherhood while attending the 2026 Disney D23 event, where he was asked about the movies and television shows currently capturing his attention. Rather than naming only the latest projects he enjoys himself, Christensen explained that much of his current watchlist is influenced by what his daughter likes to watch.
Christensen said he loves watching shows with Briar Rose, describing their shared viewing time as something he genuinely enjoys because it gives them an opportunity to spend time together. Her current favorites include Liv and Maddie and Henry Danger, according to his comments. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
The revelation offers a rare look at the private family life of an actor who has generally kept his daughter away from the spotlight.
Christensen shares Briar Rose with actress Rachel Bilson, his former partner. The pair dated for several years before separating, but they have continued to co-parent their daughter.
Earlier this year, Bilson also gave a rare update on their family dynamic, describing their approach to co-parenting as a “unique version” and saying that she and Christensen get along very well. She explained that they do many things together and have worked to maintain a peaceful relationship for Briar. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
That cooperative approach appears to have created an environment in which Briar can maintain a close relationship with both parents.
For Christensen, spending time with his daughter has long been an important part of his life.
The actor has previously spoken about how fatherhood has influenced his perspective and how he has enjoyed sharing parts of his professional world with Briar.
One of the most memorable examples came when Christensen returned to the Star Wars universe for the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi.
At the time, Briar was much younger, but Christensen revealed that she became his first lightsaber training partner when he began preparing for the role.
The actor said they had lightsabers around the house and that Briar would practice with him. Although she knew her father played Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker, Christensen said she had not yet watched the Star Wars films featuring him in those roles. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
That experience gave Christensen another way to connect his professional life with his role as a father.
More recently, however, their shared interests appear to be much more ordinary.
Instead of lightsaber training, the pair can spend time together watching television shows that Briar enjoys.
Christensen said that although his daughter has her own favorites, he is happy to watch them with her because the experience itself is meaningful.
The comments highlight an aspect of celebrity parenting that is often less visible to the public.
For children of famous actors, ordinary family experiences can sometimes become complicated by the attention surrounding their parents.
Christensen and Bilson have generally tried to protect Briar’s privacy while allowing her to grow up away from constant media attention.
Bilson has previously said that Briar is largely unfazed by having two parents who work in the entertainment industry.
In January, Bilson explained that both she and Christensen are recognized because of their careers, but that their daughter has a healthy attitude toward their fame. She said that to Briar, they are simply “mom and dad.” :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
That perspective may help explain why Christensen’s latest comments focus on everyday activities rather than the glamorous side of Hollywood.
For the actor, watching a children’s television show with his daughter can be just as meaningful as attending a major entertainment event.
Christensen has also spoken about how spending time away from Hollywood allowed him to focus more on his personal life.
The actor owns a farm north of Toronto, where he has pursued interests including construction and renovation. In a previous interview, he explained that the quieter lifestyle gave him more time with Briar and allowed him to explore interests outside acting. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
His approach to fatherhood appears to emphasize spending quality time together rather than making every moment about his career.
That has included introducing Briar to elements of his professional world while also participating in activities that are entirely centered around her interests.
The relationship is particularly notable because Christensen’s career is closely associated with one of the biggest entertainment franchises in history.
His portrayal of Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader made him internationally famous, but at home he remains Briar’s father.
The contrast is something Christensen has embraced.
When he returned to Star Wars, he was able to share a small part of that experience with his daughter through their lightsaber practice.
Now, as Briar grows older, their shared activities are changing.
At 11, she has developed her own interests and favorite programs.
Christensen’s willingness to watch those shows with her demonstrates that he is interested in entering her world rather than expecting her to follow his.
That approach can be particularly meaningful during childhood and adolescence, when shared interests often become important ways for parents and children to maintain close relationships.
Briar’s relationship with both parents also appears to be supported by a stable co-parenting arrangement.
Bilson has said that she and Christensen communicate and compromise when necessary and that they have been able to keep their family dynamic positive.
She also revealed that they spend holidays together, another indication of the cooperative relationship they have developed since their separation. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
The couple’s ability to maintain that relationship has allowed Briar to remain at the center of their family life.
Christensen’s latest comments offer another example of that priority.
Rather than discussing expensive vacations, major Hollywood events or his daughter’s exposure to celebrity culture, he talked about watching her favorite television programs.
The simplicity of the activity appears to be precisely what makes it meaningful.
For Christensen, fatherhood has provided an opportunity to step away from the expectations that come with being a major Hollywood actor.
His career has included some of the biggest franchises in entertainment, but his time with Briar allows him to experience a much more ordinary side of life.
That balance has become increasingly important as he continues working in the Star Wars universe and taking on other acting projects.
Christensen’s return to Star Wars has introduced him to a new generation of fans, many of whom grew up watching his portrayal of Anakin Skywalker.
His daughter, however, has experienced that character from a very different perspective.
For her, Anakin Skywalker is not simply one of the most recognizable characters in science fiction.
He is the role played by her dad.
That personal connection made Christensen’s return to the franchise especially meaningful.
At the same time, the actor has made clear that he does not want his relationship with his daughter to revolve around his celebrity status.
Watching her favorite shows together provides an ordinary family experience that exists completely outside the Star Wars spotlight.
It is also an example of how celebrities can maintain meaningful family relationships despite demanding careers.
Christensen has spent decades working in film and television, but his recent comments suggest that some of the most valuable moments in his life are much quieter.
A television show, a conversation and time together can become important memories.
For Briar, those moments may ultimately be more significant than any movie premiere or red-carpet appearance involving her father.
The actor’s comments also demonstrate how quickly children grow.
Christensen previously spoke about Briar when she was much younger, including during his preparation for Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Now she is 11 and has developed her own favorite shows and interests.
As she grows older, the activities they share will inevitably continue to change.
Christensen’s willingness to follow those interests suggests that he intends to remain closely involved in her life.
His relationship with Bilson also appears to provide a strong foundation for that.
Although the former couple are no longer together romantically, they have maintained a family connection centered around their daughter.
Bilson has repeatedly described their co-parenting relationship in positive terms.
That cooperation allows Briar to maintain strong connections with both parents without being caught in the tensions that can sometimes follow a separation.
The family has also managed to keep much of Briar’s life private.
Public appearances involving her are relatively uncommon, and both parents have generally avoided turning her childhood into a major part of their public careers.
That makes Christensen’s latest comments particularly unusual.
Even though he revealed only a small detail about their relationship, the story offers fans a glimpse into what life is like for the actor away from movie sets and television productions.
The image is considerably different from the one audiences see on screen.
Instead of Darth Vader wielding a lightsaber, Christensen is simply a father sitting down to watch a television show his daughter enjoys.
That ordinary routine appears to be one of the ways the actor stays connected with Briar as she grows.
It also demonstrates that bonding does not always require elaborate plans.
Sometimes, spending time together doing something one person enjoys is enough.
Christensen’s comments suggest that he values those moments.
As Briar enters her teenage years, maintaining that connection will likely become increasingly important.
The interests she has today will change, but the underlying relationship with her father can continue to grow through shared experiences.
For Christensen, that may mean continuing to watch the shows she likes, discovering new interests together and finding other ways to spend meaningful time away from the demands of Hollywood.
His career may keep him in the public eye, but his approach to fatherhood remains relatively private.
That is why the small glimpse he offered at D23 resonated with fans.
It showed a different side of the actor known around the world as Anakin Skywalker.
Away from Star Wars, Christensen is simply a father who enjoys watching his daughter’s favorite shows with her.
And for an 11-year-old girl growing up with two famous parents, having that kind of ordinary time with her dad may be one of the most valuable parts of their relationship.
Christensen’s rare comments ultimately reveal that his bond with Briar Rose is built less around his celebrity status and more around shared experiences.
Whether they are practicing lightsaber moves, watching children’s television or simply spending time together, the actor appears to place a high value on being present in his daughter’s life.
As Briar continues to grow, those simple moments may become some of the most lasting memories they share.
Recent reporting says Christensen spoke at the 2026 Disney D23 event about watching his daughter Briar Rose’s favorite shows, including Liv and Maddie and Henry Danger.
His comments come months after Rachel Bilson described their co-parenting relationship as positive and cooperative, saying they do “a lot of stuff together” and have kept things peaceful for Briar.
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