The Real-Life Partners Of The Cast Of Succession
Thanks to a succession of hit HBO shows, we now have... "Succession." From the brain of Jesse Armstrong, whom Brits will know as the man behind the Woody Allen-on-extra-Xanax-esque sitcom "Peep Show," the hit series boasts an impressive cast comprised of both lauded vets and fledgling talent. With its blackest of comedy and sharpest of satire, "Succession" has shone a light on an issue that remains as pertinent as ever — the monopolization of the media.
But despite the often grotesque characterizations, the talented actors manage to imbue their roles with humanity and even tenderness, which is testament to the cast's artistry. As the New Yorker aptly put it, "The great strength of the show is that it manages to deepen these monstrous characters — to grant them meaningful context, even pathos — without glamorizing them. They're ultrapowerful weaklings, not cathartic fantasy figures."
While a number of the cast members remain unattached — Nicolas Braun (Greg Hirsch), for instance, has been sliding into Kim K's Insta DMs with little luck — many of the show's stars are in loving, long-term relationships. "Succession" may be full of backstabbing, scheming, and the most Machiavellian dynasty since "Game of Thrones," but away from the cameras the actors are more House Tyrell rather than House Lannister. So, let's take a look at the real-life partners of the cast of "Succession." Yes, the butter is too cold, but behind the scenes the actors know just how to butter up their partners.
Opposites attract for Brian Cox and Nicole Ansari
Not to be confused with the pretty boy scientist of the same name, Scottish actor Brian Cox has stunned viewers with his imposing depiction of patriarch Logan Roy on "Succession." Much like Logan, Cox is on wife number three, German-born actor and director Nicole Ansari.
Per Scotland's The Herald, which featured a joint interview with the couple, Cox and Ansari met at a party in 1990 and began dating eight years later when he was 52 and she was 29. "I met Brian at a party and there was just an instant connection – It was like meeting a soulmate. He understood me. We were just talking, talking, talking," Ansari gushed to the publication. Meanwhile, Cox sweetly said of his wife, "Nicole precipitated the start of a revival."
Evidently, Ansari is extremely proud of her hubby, frequently posting photos of him on her Instagram account and promoting "Succession." When Cox won a Golden Globe, she told Hamptons that she was over the moon. "We were all so proud!!!" she enthused. "Brian and I Facetimed our boys, who were at home in N.Y., in one of the breaks at the Golden Globes, from the bar area. They were so happy and proud ... Brian has worked so hard in his career. For me, this was long due."
But Ansari is so much more than Mrs. Brian Cox. Per IMDb, she has directed several episodes of the comedy series "Messy" and is a theater vet.
Hiam Abbass is secretive about her private life
Palestinian actor Hiam Abbass plays the third Mrs. Roy on "Succession" and is a beacon of enigmatic poise among the utterly reviled main characters. Away from the spotlight, Abbass is equally mysterious, opting to eschew questions regarding her personal life. A 2008 profile in the Jerusalem Post states that Abbass was married to French actor Zinedine Soualem and they lived in Paris with their two daughters. At the time, Abbass contrasted the married women she plays with her thoroughly modern marriage to Soualem. With regards to playing religious and modestly dressed characters, Abbass told the Jerusalem Post, "It's part of the work ... I saw it not as a religious symbol, but as a symbol of tradition. I live very far from there."
Much like Abbass, Soualem is a venerated actor who is selective about the roles he takes on. He has appeared in critically lauded films such as "Hannah K." and "Paris" among an ensemble of French talent. The couple also acted alongside one another in the dramedy "When the Cat's Away." Per Variety, their daughter, Lina Soualem, made "Their Algeria," a 2020 documentary featuring her parents, which explores themes of colonization and migration.
However, it was reported by the Tel Aviv Review of Books that Abbass and Soualem are now separated. In an interview with the Guardian, Abbass refers to director Jean-Baptiste Sastre as her "partner," though it is unclear whether Sastre is her romantic or creative partner.
Jeremy Strong and Emma Wall found calm among the storm
Jeremy Strong may play the heedless (and borderline patricidal) Kendall Roy on "Succession," but in real life he's devoted to his wife, Danish-based psychiatrist Emma Wall. So devoted, in fact, that he relocated to Copenhagen in 2018, per GQ. Contrasting himself to the often unhinged Kendall with regards to his love life, Strong told GQ, "I have a lot more love in my life than he does. I feel very supported in my life—he doesn't have any of that."
As for Wall, she is a prominent doctor practicing in Denmark, having been educated at the prestigious Oxford University. The Guardian notes that the couple has three daughters together, the youngest of whom was born in October 2021, and Strong "never mentions [Wall] without smiling."
But things weren't always so rosy for Strong and Wall. In fact, the loved-up couple's first encounter was equal parts eerily romantic and terrifying. As Strong told the Daily Telegraph, he met Wall on "the night of Hurricane Sandy. I lost power and wandered out into the city, and we met at a party at a mutual friend's loft in Soho at 3am, in the middle of a hurricane." Thankfully, they were able to find calm among the storm and Mr. and Mrs. Strong are going, erm, strong.
Kieran Culkin and Jazz Charton have an unconventional idea of romance
Once upon a time, the name Culkin was synonymous with the Joe Pesci-torturing Kevin McCallister, but now the "Home Alone" star's little brother is soaking up the spotlight thanks to his role as the pampered brat Roman Roy on "Succession." It seems that his wife Jazz Charton hasn't enjoyed the same level of success as her famous hubby: her IMDb page features just one credit, as the Foley artist on the short film "Likeness" starring Elle Fanning. Additionally, she has a modest few thousand followers on the 'gram.
According to Vulture, Culkin met Charton at a bar when she was with another guy. Having tied the knot in 2013, the actor is as smitten as the day he met Charton, telling iNews, "When someone is as beautiful as my wife, you just want to be close to that." As for romance? The couple's Valentine's tradition is rather maverick, with Culkin telling Vulture that he and his wife like to "eat doughnuts in bed and watch terrible movies" on the most romantic day of the year.
Having given birth to the couple's second child in September 2021, Charton directed a comical Instagram post towards her husband: "Just when we finally felt like we'd gotten the hang of this whole parenting thing we decided to relive the whole newborn nightmare again. Here's to the calm before the storm of being parents to two gremlins. Two is easier than one right?..... right?"
Matthew Macfayden has met his match in Keeley Hawes
On "Succession," Matthew Macfadyen has perfected his American accent as Tom Wambsgans. But for fans who live across the pond, Macfadyen will always be Mr. Darcy. And, in Keeley Hawes, he has found the endearing Elizabeth to his dashing Darcy.
Per the Guardian, Matthew Macfadyen first met Hawes when they starred on British TV show "Spooks." They wed in 2004 and have two children together. A true English gent, Macfadyen expressed his undying love for Hawes with the most wholesome romantic gesture. "Matthew just came straight out with it and said, 'I love you' in the rain one day. I thought, 'Oh dear, here we go,'" Hawes told the Evening Standard, as our hearts collectively melted. Well, he is Mr. Darcy after all.
Discussing her husband's character on "Succession," Hawes explained on "The Graham Norton Show" (via Express), "It was so odd because I knew what he was doing but I hadn't read the script, so I watched it along with everyone else, going, 'Oh my god, he's so weird and odd.' It was actually a really lovely surprise -– he's played Mr. Darcy and other brooding roles and suddenly there was this strange guy there." High praise indeed from the actor who gave a revelatory and riveting performance in British thriller series "Bodyguard," a role for which Hawes was BAFTA nominated.
Alan Ruck and Mireille Enos are killing it at marriage
Bueller? Bueller? Is that you? Well, no, it's his erstwhile BFF Alan Ruck. Those '80s montages are long gone for veteran actor Ruck, who has enjoyed newfound success thanks to, er, "Succession." Since 2008, he has been married to fellow actor Mireille Enos, best known for her role on "The Killing." In an interview with People, Enos said that she "totally had a crush on" Ruck when she first watched "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," describing her future husband as "awesome and adorable."
In a joint interview with The Ringer, Ruck and Enos reminisced about their initial encounter. "I just started, like, shamelessly flirting," Enos joked. "It was, like, larger than me. And then I watched his poor little brain, its wheels turning, trying to figure out what was happening." It's worth noting that Enos, who is a vaunted thespian as well as an Emmy-nominated TV actor, was starring in an adaptation of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" at the time, though her courtship with Ruck couldn't be anything further from the toxic marriage between George and Martha. As for Ruck, it was love at first sight. "And she looks like one million bucks," he recalled. "I'm like, you look amazing."
Since that fateful encounter, the actors have built an idyllic life for themselves, complete with two children, per People. The perpetually irritated Cameron Frye has certainly come a long way.
Eric Bogosian's wife is his kindred spirit
Life imitates art with Eric Bogosian, who plays left-leaning politician Gil Eavis on "Succession." If Logan Roy existed IRL, there's little doubt that the politically active Bogosian would love to take him down as much as his on-screen alter ego does. And he's not alone. In his wife, Australian-born theater director Jo Bonney, Bogosian has not only found a perfect partner, but a comrade.
A 2006 New York Times profile notes that when Bogosian and Bonney first met they "both were avid participants in the downtown punk scene, sharing a commitment to anti-establishment culture and social change. They still do, as well as a belief in theater's concomitant role." The publication states that the couple has been together since 1980 and they have two children.
In an interview with Playbill, Bonney discussed their shared love of the theater. "I come from an art school background, and I was making short videos when I first arrived in New York," she recalled. "I started working with my husband on his theatre pieces—this was back in the 1980s in venues that were not part of the mainstream theatre scene." Moreover, as a theater director, Bonney has discussed how her husband's profession has enabled her own understanding of the stage. "I'm married to an actor, so I have enormous admiration for the particular combination of bravery and terrible vulnerability that it takes to step onstage and bring a character to life," she enthused to Playbill.
Adrien Brody is dating this controversial figure's ex
Oscar-winner Adrien Brody is a welcome addition to "Succession" as a wealthy rival to the Roy clan. But for some fans, there's one thing that isn't too welcome: his choice of romantic partner. Brody is dating Georgina Chapman, who is the ex-wife of former movie mogul and convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein.
After a brief stint as a model in her native England, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo in the music video for Pulp's "Common People," Chapman embarked on a career as a fashion designer and moved to the States after opening up a New York office for her luxury brand Marchesa, per Beyond. Many A-list actors could be seen sporting Marchesa gowns at the Oscars, particularly in those pre-MeToo days.
Despite some backlash to Chapman and Brody's newfound romance, it is worth noting that the designer told Vogue that she was "shocked" and in "disbelief" when revelations about Weinstein surfaced. A source close to Chapman told People that "She finds [Brody] to be an interesting person with a deep passion for his work that is similar to hers." The couple made it red carpet official in June 2021 when they appeared at the Tribeca Film Festival arm in arm, per People.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
J. Smith-Cameron's husband is an Oscar-nominated director
According to The Ringer, J. Smith-Cameron's "Succession" character was originally "a dude named Gerry." Thankfully, the writers turned Gerry into Gerri, with Smith-Cameron's presence much welcome in the overwhelmingly patriarchal Roy sphere. When she's not challenging studio execs, Smith-Cameron enjoys an artistically fulfilling marriage to Kenneth Lonergan, who is the acclaimed director behind indie films "You Can Count On Me" and "Manchester by the Sea," both of which received Oscar nods.
Per the New Yorker, Smith-Cameron first met Lonergan when they were working for the Naked Angels theater company. On first laying eyes on her future beau, Smith-Cameron remarked, "He was this sad little grumpy character who was very outspoken." As for their perfect date night, Smith-Cameron told Forbes, "My husband and I love old films and going to Metrograph, Film Forum and IFC Center," which sounds like a scene straight out of an indie flick worthy of Lonergan himself.
Moreover, Smith-Cameron has in fact starred in a number of her husband's films, most notably in "Margaret" alongside Anna Paquin. Regarding the role, Lonergan told That Shelf, "The only time I've ever written consciously for a specific actor was when I was writing the part of the mother in Margaret for J. [Smith-Cameron], for my wife." During an appearance on "The Leonard Lopate Show," he elaborated on the casting choice, referring to his wife as a "brilliant actor," to which we assume Smith-Cameron would reply, "You can count on me."
It was love at first sight for Dagmara Domińczyk and Patrick Wilson
Playing savvy PR exec Karolina, Dagmara Domińczyk has imbued "Succession" with her effortless charm and on-screen magnetism. Behind the scenes, she's married to a similarly enigmatic figure, actor Patrick Wilson, who is best known as Ed Warren in "The Conjuring" horror franchise. Per The Montclarion, Patrick Wilson was in awe of Domińczyk when he first saw her on screen in "The Count of Monte Cristo;" as the publication notes, he was "amazed by her talent and beauty." Likewise, Domińczyk fell for Wilson after being moved by his performance in the harrowing play "Angels in America."
During a joint interview with Steve Adubato, Wilson and Domińczyk's connection is palpable, as they sweetly finish each other's sentences. Both actors mention that they first met at Carnegie Mellon University and Wilson goes on to explain that they reconnected a decade later at an alumni event. According to a New York Times profile, the couple wed in 2005 and have two sons.
When Wilson guest starred on HBO's "Girls," Domińczyk defended her husband's erstwhile co-star Lena Dunham when critics argued that the hunky Wilson would never fall for the supposedly unalluring Dunham. "Funny, his wife is a size 10, muffin top & all, & he does her just fine. Least that's what I hear ;) rule # 1 — never say never," she tweeted rather mischievously.
Fisher Stevens' wife is also his collaborator
Fisher Stevens is so much more than Phoebe Buffay's overly psychoanalytical boyfriend or the newspaper critic who gets kidnapped by the gang for writing a bad review on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." In addition to the veteran character actor securing a role on "Succession" as Hugo Baker, he's the husband of prolific director and producer Alexis Bloom, per the Hollywood Reporter. According to Page Six, the couple have two children together, Paloma and Otis.
Stevens and Bloom are a perfect match, with the latter unafraid of tackling sensitive and hard-hitting subject matter. A documentary filmmaker, Bloom produced "Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes," which exposed the late Fox News titan's alleged history of sexual misconduct. And Bloom didn't stop there with the uncompromising material; she is currently working on animated documentary "The Klarsfelds," which is about a family of Nazi hunters.
But Bloom is not alone in her thirst for provocative subject matter. Not only is Fisher Stevens her husband, he's also her collaborator. The couple worked together on the HBO doc "Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds," about the fraught but always tender relationship between the legendary mother-daughter acting duo. When Deadline asked the couple why they decided to make the documentary, Bloom poignantly replied, "Love is pain, as much as it is joy ... Loving each other not despite your imperfections, but because of them ... We were like, 'God, this is love in its fullest and richest expression.'"
Holly Hunter and her husband keep things low-key
Acting vet Holly Hunter entered the line of "Succession" in season 2 and now fans can't imagine the show without her. But don't expect Hunter to open up about her personal life just because she's an Oscar-winning actor with a coveted stint on an HBO show. Although not a major star like his wife, British actor Gordon MacDonald is an actor in his own right, having appeared in the critically acclaimed Terrence Malick film "The Thin Red Line," as well as starring alongside Hunter in "Saving Grace."
After playing lovers on stage in "By the Bog of Cats" in 2001, Hunter and MacDonald became an item. But, two decades later, they remain super secretive. According to an L.A. Times profile, Hunter and MacDonald are married and live in New York, with Hunter describing her life as having "a great degree of dimension without making movies." In 2006, Hunter gave birth to the couple's twin sons, per Hello.
Of meeting MacDonald, Hunter told People (via Yahoo!), "It was a great experience," but added, "We kind of tend not to traipse down the red carpet together. It's just more about privacy." A 2008 L.A. Times interview emphasized Hunter's aversion to discussing her private life, noting that she requested MacDonald not be mentioned once in the article. "The world is chock-full of actors and actresses who want to talk about their personal lives. I don't," she explained, frankly. "And I really want that respected."
Caitlin Fitzgerald's husband is a head-turner
Caitlin Fitzgerald gives the bratty Roman a run for his money in "Succession." But away from the camera, Fitzgerald's lover is less Roman Roy, more Roman God. She is married to hunky "Poldark" star Aidan Turner and the couple certainly turned a lot of heads when they secretly wed in Italy, per the Daily Mail. Sources close to the couple told the Mail that Fitzgerald and Turner didn't want to waste any more time once covid restrictions began to ease in the summer of 2020 and swiftly tied the knot. Turner confirmed the couple's marriage to The Times, stating in his quintessentially Irish manner, "My missus is working here" when queried as to why he was Zooming from Toronto.
Despite having been spotted on PDA-packed outings with his "missus," Turner has discussed the couple's need for privacy. As he explained to iNews, "When the movies aren't in the cinemas any more –- and you're not doing red carpets or press –- these things fade away, thankfully. And you get yourself back a little bit more."
Although heartthrob Turner has hordes of fans lining up for a night with Ross Poldark, the Irish actor only has eyes for Fitzgerald. In fact, Fitzgerald is "the one." A source close to Turner told The Sun, "Aidan hasn't been in a rush to get wed and has very much been waiting for 'The One' to come along — and anyone who sees them knows they're the perfect match."
James Cromwell and Anna Stuart found love later in life
With his immediately distinctive, gangly appearance, James Cromwell is the consummate contrast to his brooding on-screen brother and nemesis, Logan Roy, on "Succession." Third time's the charm for Cromwell, who was married twice before meeting his current — and hopefully final — wife, fellow actor Anna Stuart, who is best known for her work on soap operas such as "Another World" and "All My Children."
Despite having known each other since the '80s, Cromwell didn't marry Stuart until 2014. After getting cozy at a party in New York, Cromwell and Stuart swiftly fell in love. "James and I spent the party chatting and catching up," Stuart sold Soaps in Depth (via Closer Weekly). "We went out and had lunch, and it all kind of shifted from friendship to where we are today. It's pretty cool. This is a relationship I've wanted all my life."
The couple bond over their shared passion for social activism. As the Guardian notes, Cromwell and Stuart live in a cabin in New York; when Stuart moved in, "the first thing Cromwell said to her was: 'Do you want to be involved?'" Cromwell is so involved, in fact, that he actually did jail time for his activism, per Vanity Fair. While Stuart didn't appear to be present at the environmental protest that saw her husband get arrested, she has accompanied Cromwell to PETA events, suggesting that she, too, is passionate about such causes.