Natalie Portman has revealed a surprising choice for what she believes is among her “most important” ever roles.

The actress has picked up three Oscar nominations in her prestigious career – for Closer, Black Swan and Jackie – but it was a very different kind of role that she singled out as holding a special place in her heart.

Speaking on Today this week (July 15), she pointed to her cameo in an episode of the beloved family animation Bluey, named ‘Whale Watching’.

“I was a narrator of a nature documentary that they were watching,” she explained of her role in the show. “It’s a very important show for my family and I was really, really honoured to get to be part of it.”

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She spoke of how she watches the show with her daughter Amalia, seven, and proclaimed: “It’s so wonderful, it’s pure joy”.

Bluey was created by writer Joe Brumm, and premiered on ABC Kids in 2018. It follows the titular anthropomorphic Blue Heeler puppy and her family, with three seasons streaming now on Disney+.

It boasts one of the most successful TV soundtrack albums of recent years, reaching the top of the charts in Australia, with its signature tune having been penned by the Brisbane-based musician Joff Bush.

In other Portman news, she recently recalled meeting Rihanna during Paris Fashion Week, which she described as “a formative moment in my life”.

The moment took place at the start of the year when they both attended Dior’s Haute Couture show. They bumped into one another and went on to share their mutual admiration for one another. “I love you. I am a fucking fan,” said Rihanna to Portman. “You’re one of the hottest bitches in Hollywood forever! You do the most innocent look, and I’m like, ‘Ugh’.”

Portman responded by saying, “I’m gonna faint. I’m gonna black out! I love you and I listen to your music all the time and you’re just such a queen, thank you!”

The Black Swan star also recently clarified recent photos of her outside a pub with Paul Mescal, which had led to some speculation that they could be dating.

“I’m very in awe of his talent,” she said, making clear they were just friends.

Portman is set to star in the Apple TV+ series Lady In The Lake, based on the novel of the same name by Laura Lippman. It premieres on July 19.