Julia Stiles Was 'So Happy' Son Saw Her in a 'Leadership Role' on “Wish You Were Here ”Set: 'He Didn’t Want to Leave' (Exclusive)

Julia Stiles loved having her son on set — and the feeling was mutual.

On Wednesday, Jan. 15, the actress, 43, told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview at a screening of her new movie Wish You Were Here in New York City that she was "so happy" to have her 8-year-old son Strummer visit her while filming.

Stiles says her son was able to see her in a new position as the movie, a romantic drama based on Renée Carlino's 2017 bestselling novel of the same name, marks her directorial debut.

When asked if her kids understand her job in the industry, the mom of three tells PEOPLE, "My youngest two are too young, probably, but my older son actually came to the set of Wish You Were Here. I thought he was going to be bored to tears, but he was riveted and he watched the monitor."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Stiles welcomed her third baby, whose name has yet to be revealed, with husband Preston Cook in 2023. The two also share Strummer and son Arlo, who was born in 2022.

As for her eldest child's experience on set, she shares, "He followed me around and held my hand. He came back [for] a second day. He didn't want to leave."

Related: Julia Stiles Praises Julia Roberts' 'Maternal Instincts' on Mona Lisa Smile Set: 'She Took Care of All the Girls'

The 10 Things I Hate About You alum continues to say the experience was extra special because while her son has visited her on set before, it was only while she was in the hair and makeup chair. However, this time, he was able to see her work as a director.

"It means so much to me because he was able to see what Mommy does for work and that it's not just like getting my hair and makeup done," Stiles explains. "That it was a leadership role. That makes me so happy because when he was younger he would come to sets... the easiest way as an actress is to have him come to the hair and makeup trailer."

"It's wonderful," she concludes.

Despite having a good time on set, Stiles doesn’t see Strummer following in her footsteps. "I don't think so, not yet," she shares of her son. "He's really into science and I'm rooting for that."

Stiles previously opened up to PEOPLE about directing her first movie, which follows a woman who learns, after a perfect date, that her new suitor is terminally ill. She said she had "been wanting to direct my own movie for a while, and finally found it."

Related: Julia Stiles and Preston Cook's Relationship: From Meeting on Set to Welcoming Baby No. 3

The movie reunited Stiles with Isabelle Fuhrman, whom she co-starred with in Orphan: First Kill, and also stars Mena Massoud, Jennifer Grey and Kelsey Grammer

"When I read Wish You Were Here, it broke my heart — but that good cry where you are laughing through tears, and you're reminded how amazing life can be," Stiles said, adding that the movie is "kind of two versions of a love story: the one they actually have and the one they dream about."

Wish You Were Here premieres in theaters on January 17.

Read the original article on People