6 minutes readTom Hiddleston and Zawi Ashton have known each other since at least 2018, but there’s not much on the public record about how their romance blossomed. They were cast as a couple in the play Betrayal, and they did such a great job that the play was performed from London’s West End to New York’s Broadway. But even after getting engaged and having a child, the public still knows little about their relationship.
Hiddleston told the Telegraph in March 2017: “Everyone is entitled to a private life. I love what I do and I am absolutely committed to making great art and great entertainment. In my mind, the two are not contradictory. My work is in the public sphere and I have a private life, and they are two different things.”
Despite his decision, the two have become a little more open about being together and have been spotted with some loving moments on the red carpet. Here’s Hiddleston and Ashton’s complete relationship timeline so far:
March 2019
Hiddleston and Ashton met when they were cast in a revival of Harold Pinter’s play Betrayal. With some foreshadowing, they played a married couple named Robert and Emma. Charlie Cox, who starred in Daredevil, also appeared in the film. The play ran at the Harold Pinter Theater in the West End until June 2019.
They were obviously already introduced before the show started. They were already in character, having been photographed together at the after-party for a charity gala celebrating the life and work of Harold Pinter at London’s Brasserie Zeder in October 2018.
April 2019
Ashton published his first book, Character Breakdown, in April, and Hiddleston attended a party at London’s Wild by Tart. In the photo, first shared by the Daily Mail, Hiddleston and Ashton look very close, with Hiddleston all smiles as he looks at a book and poses with his co-stars.
August 2019
The show was so well received in London that it ran for three months at Broadway’s Bernard B. Jacobs Theater in New York City. Hiddleston and Ashton continued in their roles for the duration. This was the Loki actor’s first Broadway show, and he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.
Rumors that the two were dating began circulating that same month when they competed together at the US Open. In March 2022, a production source said that the chemistry between the two was clear long before the film was released.
“They were very private in public, but behind the scenes they had great chemistry,” a source said. “Their eyes lit up and the whole company, including Charlie Cox, was very close.”
The source added: “Tom has always been a very private person. Behind the scenes, they were just lovingly hugging each other in private, sitting next to each other and holding hands.”
February 2021
Ashton joined the cast of Marvel’s in 2021, with the film set for release in 2023. She was cast as Darven, who faces off against the film’s villain, Captain Marvel, played by Brie Larson. Hiddleston also debuted as a villain in the MCU, but his character was gradually redeemed.
Interestingly, Ashton actually dressed up as Captain Marvel for Halloween as part of a group costume with the Betrayal cast before the cast. Cox and Hiddleston swapped roles as Loki and Daredevil, and Eddie Arnold joined as Captain America.
September 2021
The pair finally went public with their relationship at the 2021 Tony Awards, where they posed with Betrayal co-star Charlie Cox while wearing masks on the red carpet and in stores.
March 2022
They went even further, holding hands in front of the cameras on the red carpet at the BAFTAs in March 2022.
In the same month, rumors of an engagement surfaced after television presenter AJ Odudu posted a photo on Instagram of her on a merry-go-round, in which she was seen wearing a diamond ring on her left ring finger. Odudu is posing with the couple and Ashton’s hand is very visible as it rests on Odudu’s arm.
June 2022
There was no confirmation that the two were engaged until Hiddleston was interviewed by the Los Angeles Times in early June, but in response to a question he simply said, “I’m very happy.” But the bigger reveal came on June 29, when the couple attended a New York City screening of her film Mr. Malcolm’s List. It was clear that they were expecting a baby as she walked the red carpet.
October 2022
According to Us Weekly, the couple welcomed their first child together in October, and a source said, “Tom and Zawe are so happy and filled with joy to become new parents.”
July 2023
On July 16, Hiddleston and Ashton competed in the 2023 Wimbledon men’s final in London, along with Andrew Garfield, Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey.
A few days later, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ashton talked about what he learned from his partner before stepping into the MCU spotlight. Starr said the casting “led to incredible conversations” about “his experience of being part of this series for over a decade.”
“One of the main takeaways from our conversations was, ‘What you put into Marvel, you get back,'” she explained. “If you approach this with a generous heart and a great work ethic and want to give your fans a great experience, you’ll have a great experience on those sets.”
She added, “He really empowered me in that way.”
November 2023
Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Hiddleston was asked if there was a connection between Ashton’s role and his show. He replied, “So there’s a connection. Some are secret, some are not so secret. I don’t know what the fans think the secret connection is… My other half is with Marvels and I’m so proud of her. So here you go. It’s coming out this weekend.”
That same month, the pair attended the 67th Evening Standard Theater Awards at Claridge’s Hotel in London, where they were very intimate throughout the night.
January 2024
On Sunday, January 14, the couple made their first public appearance of the new year at the BAFTA Tea Party at the Maybourne Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. They posed hand in hand on the red carpet. Hiddleston wore a brown and beige suit with a matching tie and suede loafers over a white button-down shirt.
Ashton wore a brighter ensemble, a form-fitting red midi dress by Mara Hoffman that featured rose-shaped fabric on the arms and bust. She paired the dress with black pointy-toe heels and chandelier diamond earrings. This event celebrates nominations for the prestigious awards show.
February 2024
On February 18, Hiddleston won the trophy for “The Science Fiction/Fantasy Show of the Year” at the People’s Choice Awards. In his acceptance speech, he thanked the cast and crew of Loki and then warmly thanked Ashton.
“Zawe, without you this means nothing. Thank you for your love and support every step of the way,” he said.
May 2024
They stopped to flirt on the red carpet at the Romeo and Juliet press performance in London.
July 2024
The couple looked super cute at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London.
June 2025
The two attended the world premiere of “The Life of Chuck” held at SXSW London.
The flowing cape dress Ashton wore sparked rumors that she might be expecting. She admitted this in an interview with Vogue magazine published on Saturday, June 7th, and provided the magazine with maternity photos.
Ashton said of her dress, designed by Emilia Wickstead, “I feel really lucky to be able to work with someone I know who has been so supportive of me in this delicate moment of dressing for the red carpet.” “As an expectant mother, I feel so humbled on nights when I feel a little exposed.”
She continued, “I think every time you step on a red carpet, you have a truly unique opportunity to express your true self, your individuality, your creativity, and celebrate who you are in that moment.”
November 2025
In November 2025, Ashton shared a post on Instagram that strongly hinted that he was expecting his second child.
Ashton wrote: “Today I decided to mark a milestone in my postpartum recovery by visiting one of the @littlevillagehq baby banks that support families all year round.” “During my recovery, I have thought deeply about the children of the world who face the most dire living conditions and who work tirelessly to protect them. I have thought deeply about the ongoing fight against children, a fight that I am passionate about.”
December 2025
Hiddleston confirmed the baby’s birth in an interview with GQ in December, calling it the “most beautiful, profound, earth-shaking, life-changing” experience.
