Jennifer Garner called ex-husband Ben Affleck a “great co-parent” to their three children.
The Five Star Weekend star, who also shares Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 13, told Entertainment Weekly that it was only with Affleck’s help that she was able to land the role on the new Peacock series.
“When I was offered the role, I think it was supposed to be filmed in Nova Scotia,” explained Garner, who plays Hollis Shaw, a food influencer grieving the loss of her husband on the show.
“I said, ‘I’d love to do it, but like everything else, I only really work in LA. I have three teenage kids and I can’t be away for four months. It’s not worth it to me.’
When producers told her they planned to shoot mostly in Los Angeles, except for a month on Nantucket, Garner changed her mind.
“They get to be with their dad,” Garner, 54, said, calling Affleck, 53, “amazing.”
“He takes care of them,” she continued. “He’s a great partner in that sense. That’s why he’s so freeing.”
The former couple met on the set of “Pearl Harbor” in 2000 and married five years later. They separated in 2015 and their divorce was finalized in 2018.
When her children were young, Garner intentionally cut back on her work to spend more time with them.
“There are times in your life when you get caught up in all that stuff, and that’s okay. Nothing is forever,” she explained.
“It’s the season. And it’s a beautiful thing. And I wouldn’t trade it for a second. But I feel like1784359734my kids are a little older. Their dad has become this great co-parent.”
The “Alias” star explained that she strictly limited filming when her children were young.
“If I didn’t have them with me, I wouldn’t have done it for a few weeks,” she said, adding that now that they’re older, that’s not possible, but now thanks to Affleck, she’s able to go out filming.
Garner also praised Affleck on Father’s Day last month, writing on Instagram, “I see how much my kids dote on their dad and I’m happy for them too. It’s a gift to love and be loved by a great father.”
