In September, the couple made a shock announcement that, after 27 years of marriage, they were separating to “pursue our individual growth”.
Furness plays Jill in Force of Nature, one of five women who take part in a corporate hiking retreat in the Victorian mountain ranges during which one of the group disappears.
Federal Agents Aaron Falk (Eric Bana) and Carmen Cooper (Jacqueline McKenzie) head deep into the bush to find the missing woman, who happens to be a corporate whistleblower helping them with a case.
Furness says she was drawn to the project because of the strong female presence in the script.
“I love that it was an ensemble,” she tells. “I love that it was about a group of women out in the wild, challenged by the force of nature and challenged by their own nature.”
As for her character, Furness says Jill is “misunderstood” and someone who can come across as a bit harsh sometimes.
Furness’ return to acting involved anything but glamorous days on set.
“I want everyone to appreciate this is not green screen. We’re out there in it,” says Furness of the remote mid-winter shoot in the wilderness.
“There have been a lot of leeches. I think a lot of the crew and cast will remember the leeches, maybe not fondly though.”
The Dry was the second highest-grossing film of 2021 in Australia, taking over $20 million at the local box office.
Force of Nature: The Dry 2 will be released in cinemas on Feb. 8