DWTS' Julianne Hough Returns to Acting After 8-Year Movie Hiatus

The actress and dancer is thrilled to join the cast of Maggie Gyllenhaal's new film The Bride!

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Eight years after her last starring film role, Julianne Hough is making her return to movie acting with Maggie Gyllenhaal's upcoming film The Bride!, a reimagining of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein and the 1935 film The Bride of Frankenstein. Hough was excited to be a part of Gyllenhaal's vision and work with both Maggie and her brother Jake Gyllenhaal, who also has a role in the project.

Why it matters

Julianne Hough's return to acting after an 8-year hiatus from movies is noteworthy, as she was previously a rising star in film before focusing more on her work as a judge on Dancing With the Stars. Her involvement in The Bride! also marks an exciting collaboration between Hough and acclaimed director Maggie Gyllenhaal.

The details

In the film, Hough appears in a movie-within-the-movie and did not have a major role in the main production. However, she was thrilled to be a part of Gyllenhaal's feminist and punk-inspired vision for the project. Hough also had the chance to work with both Maggie and her brother Jake Gyllenhaal, who she praised as a 'professional' and 'amazing' actor.

  • Julianne Hough's last starring film role was 8 years ago.
  • The Bride! will premiere in theaters on March 6, 2026.

The players

Julianne Hough

An actress and dancer who is returning to movie acting after an 8-year hiatus, with a role in Maggie Gyllenhaal's new film The Bride!.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

The writer and director of The Bride!, a reimagining of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and the 1935 film The Bride of Frankenstein.

Jake Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal's brother, who has a role in The Bride! and was praised by Julianne Hough as a 'professional' and 'amazing' actor.

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What they’re saying

“This was truly iconic in so many ways, and the fact that I got to be a part of Maggie's vision—this message of feminism through empowerment and rock and roll punk. I just think it's so incredible, and she's just such an amazing director.”

— Julianne Hough (Deadline)

“Jake is amazing, and just such a professional. He's obviously been doing this forever, and just the humility and excitement that he had to come into the studio and we worked together, and it was so much fun.”

— Julianne Hough (Deadline)

The takeaway

Julianne Hough's return to acting in Maggie Gyllenhaal's The Bride! marks an exciting collaboration between two talented artists, showcasing Hough's versatility and Gyllenhaal's innovative vision for a feminist, punk-inspired reimagining of a classic story.