Margaret Qualley Talked to Real Nurses to Prepare for Her Role in 'Love of Your Life'

Before filming "Love of Your Life," where she plays a nurse, Margaret Qualley spoke to real-life nurses to understand the emotional realities of the job, and was struck by what she heard.

Margaret Qualley doesn’t jump into a role without doing the research. In fact, for her latest role, she spoke to real-life nurses and was “moved” by what she learned.

Margaret Qualley attends the premiere of "Love of Your Life" during the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival at Royal Alexandra Theatre on September 13, 2026 | Source: Getty Images

In the new drama “Love of Your Life,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13, Qualley plays Maya, a Boston nurse navigating love and loss.

Prior to filming, Qualley prepared for her role by speaking to real nurses to understand the ins and outs of the job and the emotional toll it takes. For Qualley, research is an important part of her process to “get it right” and “make it as honest as you can,” she told People during the film’s TIFF premiere.

"I just wanted to hear what their experiences were like, and I was really moved," Qualley shared. What struck her most, she said, was "their attitude," describing how nurses manage to stay positive while supporting patients through some of the hardest moments of their lives, both physically and emotionally.

Qualley also admired the friendships among hospital staff, especially the support they gave each other during the toughest times, like the COVID-19 pandemic, which is also central to the story of “Love of Your Life.”

Qualley’s commitment to being true to the characters she plays has earned her praise in the past. In a recent Vanity Fair profile, "Blue Moon" director Richard Linklater commended her work ethic, recalling how she requested to extend rehearsal time so she could fully immerse herself and understand her character before filming began.

Her "Dog Stars" costar Jacob Elordi also described her as someone who "keeps it real" and "demands the truth" from the material and the people around her.

Margaret Qualley attends the world premiere of "The Dog Stars" on August 20, 2026 in London | Source: Getty Images

"Love of Your Life" follows Maya, whose relationship with Charlie, played by Gabriel Basso, is tragically interrupted by the pandemic. This prompts her to flee to Portugal and become a digital nomad. There she meets Felix, played by Aaron Pierre, and their relationship brings her to England. The film, directed by Rachel Morrison, also stars Patrick Schwarzenegger as Maya's best friend, Jason.

Patrick Schwarzenegger, Rachel Morrison, Margaret Qualley, Gabriel Basso, and Aaron Pierre attend the premiere of "Love of Your Life" during the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival | Source: Getty Images

The film, co-produced by Ryan Gosling, will be released in theaters on October 7 before streaming globally on Prime Video starting October 14.