Hayden Christensen is offering a rare look at life as a father and the simple ways he connects with his 11-year-old daughter, Briar Rose.
Speaking to MTV UK at the 2026 D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event on Friday, August 14, Christensen said one of his favorite ways to spend time with Briar is by watching television with her.
“I have a young daughter, and I love watching shows with her,” Christensen, 45, said. According to the actor, Briar’s current favorites are Liv and Maddie and Henry Danger, and he enjoys joining her for both.
The moment gave fans a more personal glimpse into Christensen’s home life, showing that despite his major franchise fame, some of his favorite father-daughter moments are refreshingly ordinary.
When Briar is not around, Christensen’s own viewing habits look a little different. He shared that he has recently been watching The Agency starring Michael Fassbender and described the series as “really good.”
Christensen’s comments came during an eventful moment in his professional life. At D23, Disney confirmed that he will return in season 2 of Ahsoka as Force ghost Anakin, continuing his long connection to the Star Wars universe.
Of course, Christensen remains best known to many fans as Anakin Skywalker, the future Darth Vader. But while his role in the franchise is iconic, his daughter was not always fully aware of just how famous that character is.
Back in 2020, Rachel Bilson — Christensen’s ex and Briar’s mother — told Us Weekly that Briar did not yet realize her father had played one of cinema’s most memorable villains. Bilson joked at the time that once Briar fully understood it, it might make life at school a little easier because “nobody will mess with her.”
By 2022, that had started to change. Christensen revealed that Briar had become more familiar with his Star Wars role and had even helped him prepare for Obi-Wan Kenobi by serving as his “first lightsaber training partner.”
Even so, he said at the time that she still had not fully watched him as Darth Vader on screen. Christensen explained that he was waiting a bit longer before introducing her to all of the Star Wars films, noting that some scenes might still need to be skipped.
Beyond his comments about bonding with Briar, the story also reflects the strong coparenting relationship Christensen and Bilson appear to have built over the years.
The former couple dated from 2007 to 2017 and welcomed Briar in 2014. Since their split, they have remained committed to raising their daughter together in a positive and peaceful way.
Earlier this year, Bilson spoke about their dynamic and said they continue to spend a lot of time together as a family for Briar’s benefit. She described their coparenting relationship as “copacetic and nice,” adding that communication and compromise have been key.
Bilson also said she remains close with Christensen’s family, showing just how connected their lives still are despite no longer being together romantically.
Taken together, Christensen’s latest remarks paint a picture of a father who values the everyday moments most. While his career may be tied to one of the biggest franchises in entertainment history, the way he bonds with Briar sounds much more grounded — sitting together, turning on her favorite shows and simply enjoying time as father and daughter.
