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Theo James’ life changed forever in 2014, when he starred opposite Shailene Woodley in Divergent. The British actor’s career had been steadily growing before that, but this blockbuster was a breakthrough moment. The fame it brought also came with speculation about his love life. But despite rumours of involvement with Shailene Woodley and Taylor Swift, Theo James’ wife was already in the picture.
James and fellow actor Ruth Kearney have been together since their early twenties, when they met at drama school in the UK. The couple got married in 2018 and now have two children.
But as they keep a relatively low profile, every now and then speculation about Theo James’ love life surfaces. Like when HBO’s successful series The White Lotus was released. You couldn’t blame us for wanting to know more about the man playing Cameron Sullivan. After all, James has the big three qualities that work in his favour in Hollywood: acting talent, personality and, to put it frankly, extreme good looks.
So here we unpack James’ life away from the cameras (and clear up those rogue relationship rumours).
Who is Theo James’ Wife?
Theo James’ wife is Irish actress Ruth Kearney, whom he married in 2018. They originally met in their early 20s (reports claim it was around 2009) when they both attended the renowned Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
James previously told the Evening Standard that their romance “made sense pretty early on”.
“She’s very sanguine, thoughtful and funny,” he explained.
The actor has also opened up about how he and Kearney moved through many different phases of success in both their acting careers.
“That can be really hard at times, but also that [brings] certain strengths [to] a relationship which helps us being together long term.”
While Theo James as international recognition from his roles in the Divergent films, as well as The White Lotus and more recent Guy Richie seriesThe Gentlemen, Ruth Kearney has had a very successful career, mostly in TV series. This includes lead and supporting roles in Primeval, The Following and Netflix series Flaked.
The couple even acted together in Jane Austin adaptation Sanditon, which James also produced.
Theo James and Ruth Kearney also have two children together, a daughter born in 2021 and a son born in September 2023. As they couple are very private, the names of their children haven’t been revealed.
Did Theo James and Shailene Woodley Ever Date?
James and Woodley never had a romantic relationship, but they were very close while shooting the Divergent films.
Speaking to Games Radar, James said his friendship with Woodley grew stronger the longer they worked together.
“Inevitably you meet on the test and you don’t know each other, and it’s always slightly awkward because you’re doing a kind of intimate scene with someone you have never set your eyes upon,” he explained.
“But she’s really refreshing and she’s very open to collaborating as two people and making the scene as good as possible.”
He added in a separate interview with Culture Calling: “I’ve also had the opportunity to see her evolve as a person in a very wonderful way. Our friendship has grown in the same way, and that’s been a good thing since you’re not just spending time on a set together but you’re also spending months promoting the films all over the world together.”
Did Theo James Date Taylor Swift?
Taylor Swift has not dated Theo James, but may have had a crush on him at one point after the success of Divergent.
The rumour is thought to have started with a report from gossip mag OK! in 2014, which claimed Taylor Swift asked mutual friends to set them up.
“[Swift] asked her friend Hailee Steinfeld to ask Theo’s friend Douglas Booth, another British actor, if there was a chance [Swift and James] could meet up for a date in Los Angeles,” the report alleged.
But nothing about the rumours could be backed up and they were proved false. Especially since James was well into his relationship with Kearney.
These days, Swift is happily in a relationship with Travis Kelce, while James is enjoying parenthood with his wife. All’s well that ends well in this part of Hollywood.
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