Sir Anthony Hopkins has signed with the label Decca Classics and released his debut single, marking the veteran actor's formal entry into the music world at this stage of his career. The two-time Oscar winner, best known for his screen work, described the deal as "the honour of a lifetime" and confirmed that a full album of his own orchestral compositions is on the way, revealing a lifelong passion for music running alongside his acting.

The single, 'Bracken Road', was released on 10 July 2026 and is said to be inspired by memories of Hopkins's childhood in Margram, South Wales, during the 1940s; he originally wrote the piece in 1963 while working at the Liverpool Playhouse. It precedes his debut album 'Life Is A Dream', due on 21 August, which gathers orchestral music he has composed over six decades. The recordings feature the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, alongside cellist Gregorio Nieto and pianist Sergio Tiempo. The news follows a difficult period for Hopkins, who has spoken about a 20-year estrangement from his daughter Abigail and whose Los Angeles home was destroyed by wildfires in January.