Diane Kruger says it took "a good two years" after the birth of her daughter to feel like herself again.

The 49-year-old actress "really stepped back" from her career after she and her 56-year-old fiance, actor Norman Reedus, welcomed Nova, seven, into the world in 2018.

Diane told People: "I didn't film or work for eight months after I had her, and it took me a long time to sort of ... I would say [it took] a good two years to feel like I was me again.

"Nova's 7 now, and it feels like I can take this on again and feel good about it, and I don't have to worry so much."

The Little Disasters star feels like the current stage in her life is the best time to be working as an actress.

Diane - whose first big film role came in 2004, with her role as Helen of Troy in the historical movie, Troy - explained: "All of a sudden, all of these great projects have just landed on my plate.

"It's been the most amazing two years, where I feel I've done work that I've always dreamed of, and it's coming to fruition."

She added: "We are in this strange moment of time in my life where there [are] a lot more opportunities for women and for women my age."

The star has also loved doing some international projects recently, such as the HBO period drama, The Seduction.

She said: "Being back in France to do some French language projects - The Seduction that just came out - it's been a really cool time in my life."

In 2023, Diane admitted she finds being a working mother "incredibly stressful" due to the pressure of juggling family life with her career.

She told Germany's GQ magazine: "I can put myself in certain situations much more quickly, and a lot of things in the game are easier for me.

"I also feel like I'm much more present because I take on fewer projects and can then enjoy them even more. On the other hand, it is, of course, incredibly stressful because you have two full-time jobs at once.

"You come home, and things continue straight away. And on weekends, you still get up at 7 am."