Hugh Jackman's 'sad' Instagram photo sparks speculation after his split from wife Deborra-Lee Furness

Hugh Jackman has hinted how he's holding up following his split from Deborra-Lee Furness.

The Australian actor, 55, and wife, 67, announced their shock split in September after 27 years of marriage, telling fans they separated 'to pursue our individual growth'.

On Friday, the Hollywood heartthrob shared a series of close-up photos of his face to his Instagram account.

In the pictures, Hugh looked pensive and downcast as he walked the streets of New York City.

'Entirely too close,' he captioned his post, adding the hashtag 'moods'.

Hugh was inundated with messages pointing out that the actor 'looked sad' and sent words of encouragement to the newly-single star.

'We have all been there. Completely get it. Hope your day gets better,' commented one fan. 

'Looking a little serious there Hugh,' another said.

'Your sunglasses are making you look a bit grumpy,' one fan noted, while another pointed out the newly-single actor's 'brow is still furrowed'. 

'Why so serious my love,' asked one concerned fan, and another commented that the photo looked more like a 'mug shot' than a selfie. 

'Not a good day?' asked someone else. 

'Where is that beautiful smile we all know, and love?' added another concerned female fan, with another describing his facial expression as 'stern'. 

Hugh is said to be pouring all of his efforts into getting physically 'ripped' to reprise his role as Wolverine in the upcoming Deadpool movie - and is considering his next Broadway role.

'Hugh is completely focused on Deadpool 3 and getting into Wolverine shape,' a source exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com last month.

'That is taking him away from dealing with his ex and taking him away from dating. He is excited to be back working and is excited to put all his focus on all of that.'

The insider added Hugh isn't against the idea of finding love again in the future - but currently has no plans to 'chase it'.

'When dating comes along, he will gladly pursue it but his priorities are elsewhere, and he isn't expecting or chasing a new love,' they said. 

'He is chasing getting ripped for Wolverine and working on movies and figuring out the next time to do Broadway.'

The former couple have remained friendly, with the insider adding Hugh is planning to mark his ex's upcoming birthday on November 30.

The source said: 'Though they might not be in love with each other anymore, there is still a bond and a love there between the two that will last forever. 

'He's still going to wish her a happy birthday and they still will talk around the holidays when it pertains to anything about their kids. They are trying to figure it all out and are looking to do it as civilly as possible.'

The update comes after interest piqued in Hugh's love life, with rumors swirling that he had found love again after posting a picture of himself on a stroll through Central Park.

But a separate source shut down any talk of the actor moving on, telling DailyMail.com: 'He was in the park with his best friend.' 

Hugh and Deborra-Lee tied the knot in 1996 after crossing paths on set of Correlli in 1995. During the course of their marriage, they adopted two children: son Oscar, 23, and daughter Ava, 18. 

A source previously told DailyMail.com that Hugh was in 'mourning' following their split and was keen to get back to work - which ground to a halt during the historic WGA and SAG AFTRA strikes.

'He is in that lull period where he is still mourning the break-up, looking to dive into work to get his mind removed from it, flattered that a new love life could happen in the future and also, he loves the fact that he could do absolutely nothing at all,' they said last month.

'The options he has are exciting and scary, he wants to respect Deborra's feelings and his feelings, and he also wants to respect the feelings of someone he would get involved with.

'Sure, he is interested in dating, but he also wants to give it his 100 per cent attention and not half-a** it if and when that comes about.'