Penelope Cruz is seen on set for the first time as she shoots new film Parallel Mothers in Madrid

Penelope Cruz has been pictured on the set of Parallel Mothers for the first time. 

The 46-year-old actress has teamed up with Pedro Almodóvar again for the drama, which explores the story of two mothers who give birth on the same day. 

Little is known about the Spanish film as yet, but production started last month, with Penelope pictured on set in Madrid on Wednesday. 

One to watch: Penelope Cruz has been pictured on the set of Parallel Mothers for the first time, a drama which explores the story of two mothers who give birth on the same day

Penelope looked effortlessly chic for the scenes as she layered a grey herringbone coat over a black top and jeans. 

The Vicky Cristina Barcelona star had her blonde highlights touched up for the role. with her locks styled in loose waves. 

Her look was completed with brown heeled boots that boosted her modelesque frame and delicate stud earrings. 

Hard at work: Little is known about the Spanish film as yet, but production started last month, with Penelope pictured on set in Madrid on Wednesday

Hard at work: Little is known about the Spanish film as yet, but production started last month, with Penelope pictured on set in Madrid on Wednesday

Parallel Mothers, also known as Madres paralelas, was written with Penelope in mind for a leading role, and she will star alongside Aitana Sanchez Gijon and Milena Smit playing mothers in the film, accompanied by Israel Elejalde as the main male character. 

Director Pedro told AP of the new project:  ‘I return to the female universe and to motherhood as well, which is a subject that has always fascinated me. 

‘But in this case, the mothers that appear are very different from the ones Penélope has played before.

Low-key look: Penelope looked effortlessly chic for the scenes as she layered a grey herringbone coat over a black top and jeans

Low-key look: Penelope looked effortlessly chic for the scenes as she layered a grey herringbone coat over a black top and jeans

Bronde bombshell! The Vicky Cristina Barcelona star had her blonde highlights touched up for the role. with her locks styled in loose waves

Bronde bombshell! The Vicky Cristina Barcelona star had her blonde highlights touched up for the role. with her locks styled in loose waves

‘These are very imperfect mothers and as an author that’s what interested me the most, especially because I have already done several self-sacrificing and heroic mothers.

‘So this is a little bit about descendants, children, but also about ancestors, about family.’

Penelope and Pedro previously worked together on All About My Mother, Volver and Pain & Glory.

Two's company: The 46-year-old actress has teamed up with Pedro Almodóvar again for the drama. They previously worked together on All About My Mother, Volver and Pain & Glory

Two’s company: The 46-year-old actress has teamed up with Pedro Almodóvar again for the drama. They previously worked together on All About My Mother, Volver and Pain & Glory

Boost: Penelope's look was completed with brown heeled boots that boosted her modelesque frame and delicate stud earrings while she wore a face mask to chat with Pedro

Boost: Penelope’s look was completed with brown heeled boots that boosted her modelesque frame and delicate stud earrings while she wore a face mask to chat with Pedro 

Meanwhile, Penelope recently spoke about her family life and approach to motherhood in an interview with Marie Claire Greece. 

The actress – who has son Leo, 10, and daughter Luna, seven with husband Javier Bardem, said they are careful not to let their careers seep into their family life.  

‘Like any couple, we talk about our jobs, and consequently about our characters, about the way we handle this or that scene,’ she clarified.

‘Sometimes we exchange ideas, but when it comes to our jobs generally, we’re not obsessed with work, we try to leave it at the door of the house.’

Penelope also revealed that motherhood made her less worried about other people’s opinions, confessing: ‘When I was young, the way others saw me, be it positive or negative, had an enormous importance.’ 

She continued: ‘But becoming a mother made me aware that this was the most important mission of my life and that I wanted to accomplish it as best I could.’

As she has grown older she has also adopted a different attitude to her work life, allowing herself more time to recharge.

‘In my 20s, I was a total workaholic, I would even wake myself up in the middle of the night to respond to emails and things like that, and then I had to learn patience, rest, silence. The things that I appreciate a lot now,’ she explained. 

Professional pair: Penelope - who has son Leo, 10, and daughter Luna, seven with husband Javier Bardem, said they are careful not to let their careers seep into their family life (pictured in 2017)

Professional pair: Penelope – who has son Leo, 10, and daughter Luna, seven with husband Javier Bardem, said they are careful not to let their careers seep into their family life (pictured in 2017)