CNN — Alec Baldwin and his wife Hilaria opened up about their family’s challenges following the tragic 2021 “Rust” shooting in the first episode of their new reality show, “The Baldwins.”
In this premiere episode, shared with press ahead of its Sunday debut on TLC, the couple shared their attempts to protect their children from the turmoil caused by the incident. They also discussed the emotional weight it placed on them personally.
Baldwin reflected on his struggles during a tough year leading up to his trial. He admitted that he often felt overwhelmed, saying, “There were times I’d lie in bed and think, ‘Wow, I can’t get up.’”
He noted that this was unusual for him. “That’s not like me,” he explained. Hilaria added that those close to him saw his mental health decline and mentioned he was diagnosed with PTSD.
During moments of deep despair, Baldwin would question why he was still alive after the accident, contemplating, “If an accident had to happen this day, why am I still here? Why couldn’t it have been me?”
Baldwin was a co-producer and star of “Rust” when the shooting occurred, leading to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The film’s director, Joel Souza, was also hurt in the incident.
Baldwin faced involuntary manslaughter charges but pleaded not guilty, claiming he never pulled the trigger. His case was dismissed dramatically shortly after his trial began in July 2024, sparing him from a possible 18-month prison sentence.
The series kicks off just before his trial starts while his family celebrates one of their children’s birthdays.
Hilaria expressed her sorrow for all affected by the incident, especially for Hutchins and her family. She stated, “Watching Alec and his pain, in no way is it meant to compare with Helena’s loss. It breaks my heart.”
After the premiere, new episodes of “The Baldwins” will air on Sundays at 10 PM ET/PT on TLC.
