We're used to stars waxing lyrical about the joys of motherhood so it comes as a breath of fresh air when one comes along and admits that having a baby is, in fact, very hard work as well.

Kudos to Claire Danes, then, who's done exactly that in a candid cover interview with the October edition of Harper's Bazaar.

The 35-year-old Homeland star, who has a 17-month-old son Cyrus with her actor husband Hugh Dancy, is keen to avoid romanticising motherhood and says that having a baby is hardly a walk in the park.

"Being a mum is incredibly challenging," she admits. "But we still feel a pressure to talk about it in very romantic terms. And it’s not just that. We all have that resentment at times and anxiety about being trapped by the role, that responsibility.

"And then chemically it can run riot. Your mental state, the hormonal swings are so extraordinary and singular to the female experience and they haven’t been taken very seriously or considered very deeply... I mean, post-partum aside, even if you have the most healthy relationship with your child and have support and resources, it’s tough. It’s really tough. And there’s no 'off' button.

"[For me] that was the hardest adjustment. You always feel beholden to somebody... And for so long they’re like koala bears, you just feel a physical responsibility to be there for them to cling to. It’s pretty primal."

Claire Danes: "Being a mum is incredibly challenging"