Cruz-ing from the dark side

PENELOPE Cruz is no stranger to a thriller but says motherhood turned her away from the darker side of the film industry.

Cruz, 49, has starred in psychological thrillers including Vanilla Sky and Blow, but she said she had turned down a role to play a sinister character when she was pregnant because she couldn’t face playing someone in such a ‘desperate state’.

The 49-year-old, mother to Leo, 12, and Luna, ten, and wife of Spanish actor Javier Bardem, also offered career advice when she appeared at Bafta: A Life In Pictures last week.

Penelope, right, said: ‘From my heart, I beg you don’t do drugs. Keep your head clear for your career and your life.’