Theo James Starred Alongside His Real-Life Wife in This Sexy Period Drama
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Since his breakthrough in Divergent a decade ago, Theo James has become quite the British heartthrob. From playing hot-shot financier Cameron in The White Lotus to his upcoming part in Netflix’s The Gentlemen, it’s only fair to want to learn more about Theo James’ wife.
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James and his wife, Ruth Kearney, have kept their relationship out of the public eye. James has no social media accounts, while Kearney shares only a few photos of her husband. Occasionally, the couple attends red carpet premieres and award shows side by side. Kearney and James recently stepped out for the 2024 Emmy Awards and shared photos wearing coordinating Dolce & Gabbana outfits.
The pair have been with one another since the beginning of their acting careers. “It’s interesting being together this long because we have navigated through the very beginnings of our careers,” James told the Evening Standard in 2020. “That can be hard at times, but also that [brings] certain strengths [to] a relationship.”
So, who is Theo James’ wife, Ruth Kearney? Read on to discover who she is, how they met, and the couple’s family.
Who is Theo James’ wife, Ruth Kearney?
Theo James’ wife, Ruth Kearney, is an Irish actress who grew up in Dublin, Ireland. James and Kearney acted alongside each other in the first season of the PBS drama series Sanditon, adapted from Jane Austen’s unfinished last novel. James portrayed one of the lead characters, Sidney Parker, who marries Kearney’s character, Eliza Campion, at the end of the season.
Kearney is best known for starring in the leading role as Jess Parker in the science-fiction drama Primeval (2007). She also guest-starred as Katharina in FX’s political thriller Tryant (2014) and played the recurring role of Daisy Locke in the final season of Fox’s The Following (2013). Her most recent projects include the 2023 film The Christmas Break and the Irish TV series Finding Joy, per her IMDb page.
Kearney told ISSUE Magazine in a 2017 video interview that she “can’t really imagine” doing anything other than acting. “It’s a tough career, but I feel like I can’t really imagine doing anything else. It can be great fun [but also] really challenging,” she said.
The actress continued, “I’m not in this industry to become famous, I don’t go for jobs because they will make me well known, it’s so, hopefully, they will lead to more interesting roles,” Kearney explained. She also admitted that she also doesn’t read reviews of her work. “I’m more interested in normal people watching it and their reaction.”
How did Theo James meet his wife?
Theo James and Ruth Kearney first crossed paths when they enrolled at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, a prestigious British drama school whose alums include Daniel Day-Lewis, Olivia Colman, Josh O’Connor, Gene Wilder, and more.
James joked to the Evening Standard in 2020 that their eyes first met as they “were huddled in leotards pretending to be mice.” He added, laughing, “Yeah! Being frogs. We did all that animal s—.”
The couple shared an immediate connection. “She’s very sanguine, thoughtful and funny,” James said of Kearney. “It made sense pretty early on.”
According to Bustle (which initially cited the Glamour UK), the pair started dating in 2009 but didn’t tie the knot until nine years later. James and Kearney reportedly wed in 2018 at the Islington Town Hall in London. (The couple have not shared photos from their nuptials on social media.)
Although James and Kearney keep their relationship under wraps, the actress has shared a few snaps of James on Instagram, including this photo of them attending the Royal Opera House.
How many kids does Theo James have with his wife?
Theo James and Ruth Kearney welcomed their daughter in August 2021. The couple have yet to reveal their little girl’s name or share photos of her on social media.
However, James did speak about adjusting to fatherhood in a May 2022 interview with InStyle. “It definitely changes you in an amazing way,” the actor revealed. “It’s discombobulating at first. Especially with your first child because your whole life changes, but ultimately it makes you — definitely for me, at least — a much more solid person.”
While James acknowledged that “you still do all the same s—t that you did before,” he said his priorities as a parent have shifted. “For example, obsessiveness, worrying about X or Y — it does calm that kind of outlook on life because it makes you realize that certain things are a bit more important.”
James also talked about how his dynamic with Kearney has changed since the early days of their relationship. “I think my wife (we met in our mid-20s) if we went back there now, she wouldn’t want to hang out with that guy,” he explained. “He did dumb stuff and was stupid and angry. It’s so true in a way; you evolve constantly.”
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