Rex Features

Cate Blanchett has revealed that all three of her pregnancies were a “surprise”.

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button star and husband Andrew Upton have three children – seven-year-old Dashiell, four-year-old Roman and eight-month-old Ignatius.

“My pregnancy with Ignatius was surreal,” she told the Toronto Star. “He was a surprise. But they’ve all been surprises.

“We didn’t get married to have children. So when they’ve popped along it’s been ‘whoops!’ but it’s been great.”

However, the 39-year-old actress admitted that the responsibilities of motherhood have restricted the number of film roles she can accept.

“I suppose I’d have a shot at most films I’d like to make,” she said. “But you can’t pick and choose as much as a mother can pick and choose.

“I have three kids, two of them are in school, and my husband and I are running a theatre company. I have a few months off a year, and films can’t always wait.”