Like any good TV series, the drama in Big Little Lies is so enthralling, you occasionally forget that each actor has a real life outside of their character.
However, unlike other shows, the cast is comprised of a league of Hollywood heavyweights—whose private lives are practically nonexistent—alongside lesser-known actors, whose real-life relationships are shrouded in mystery.
There are the better-known romances, like Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, as well as lesser-known ones to get acquainted with, like Shailene Woodley’s low-key relationship with Australian/Fijian rugby player Ben Volavola.
In any case, scroll down for all of the real-life partners (or exes) of the cast of HBO’s Big Little Lies.
Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth
Witherspoon was famously once married to Ryan Phillippe, after they met as 20-somethings on the set of 1999’s Cruel Intentions.
However, Witherspoon is now married to Jim Toth. They wed in 2011 and have one son, Tennessee, in addition to Witherspoon’s two children with Phillippe, Ava and Deacon.
Zoë Kravitz and Karl Glusman
Kravitz surprised fans by marrying fellow actor Karl Glusman in a secretive ceremony, only months after revealing her engagement in an interview with Rolling Stone. Though the couple are legally married, Us Weekly reported that they’re planning a larger wedding some time soon, to include their friends and family.
Meryl Streep and Don Gummer
If you’ve watched any of Meryl Streep’s Oscar acceptance speeches (in 1980, 1983, and 2012, respectively), you’ve probably noticed the same familiar face sitting beside her each time—her husband, Don Gummer.
The actress and artist reportedly began dating in 1978, just before Streep’s film career took off—meaning they’ve been together for over 40 years.
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban
Kidman and Urban became one of Australia’s most famous couples after marrying in Sydney in June 2006. In addition to her two adopted children, Connor and Isabella Cruise, from her previous marriage to actor Tom Cruise, Kidman and Urban have two young daughters—Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret.
Laura Dern and Ben Harper
While they’re now divorced, Dern married singer Ben Harper in 2005, before splitting and eventually divorcing in 2013. The couple had two children together, son Ellery Harper and daughter Jaya Harper.
In the past, Dern has been romantically linked to stars like Jeff Goldblum, Billy Bob Thornton, and her Blue Velvet co-star Kyle MacLachlan.
Shailene Woodley and Ben Volavola
Woodley began dating Australian/Fijian rugby player Ben Volavola in October 2017, and they’ve only made a handful of red carpet appearances together—despite Woodley being a courtside regular at many of Volavola’s games.
While the pair reportedly split in 2019, she has also spoken about her desire to have babies, telling WWD in 2019: “I want little babies so badly now… although the best thing about playing a mom on TV is you get to send [the kids] home at the end of the day with their real parents.”
Adam Scott and Naomi Scott
Before playing Madeleine’s scorned husband on BLL, you’d probably recognise Adam Scott from TV show Parks & Recreation, as well as the 2007 comedy film Step Brothers.
He married his wife Naomi Scott in 2005, and the couple have two children, daughter Frankie and son Graham.
Alexander Skarsgård and Alexa Chung
While he was once linked to actress (and fellow Swede) Alicia Vikander, Skarsgård’s most high-profile relationship was with British model and entrepreneur Alexa Chung.
Despite three years of dating, the couple reportedly split in July 2018. While Skarsgård has remained single, Chung has been linked to Orson Fry, the heir to British chocolate company Fry’s.
Douglas Smith
Smith plays Jane’s mysterious love interest on the show, and in reality, the 34-year-old Canadian actor lives an equally private life. However, one look at his Instagram account will reveal that he married his wife in April 2018.
James Tupper and Anne Heche
Tupper, who plays Madeleine’s ex-husband and Bonnie’s current husband, was in a relationship with fellow actress Anne Heche for 10 years, and raised two sons with her.
Following their 2018 split, Heche said in a statement to People: “[James and I] care very much for each other and plan to continue raising our two beautiful boys in love and harmony. Thank you for allowing us privacy as our family evolves.”
Jeffrey Nordling and Francia Dimase
Nordling’s fictional marriage to Renata Klein might be a turbulent one, but in real life, he’s married to actress Francia Dimaise. The couple share three daughters together—Miranda, Eloise, and Iris.
