Malin Åkerman and Her Husband, Jack Donnelly, Knew Each Other 4 Years Before Dating
Jack Donnelly is a British actor and writer who is well known for his role in BBC's Atlantis as well as co-starring in several projects with his wife, Malin Åkerman.
He and Åkerman met through her sister's boyfriend and married in Tulum in 2018.
Offscreen, the couple lives in Los Angeles with Åkerman's son, Sebastian.
In The Hunting Wives, Malin Åkerman leads an elite inner circle, but in real life, she's been building a quieter love story with her husband, Jack Donnelly. The actress, who stars as Margo Banks in the new series, has been married to the British actor and writer since December 2018.
From starring in films together to supporting each other's creative work, the couple has built a life together in Los Angeles with Åkerman's son, Sebastian.
Here, everything to know about Donnelly and his relationship with Åkerman.
He and Åkerman met through her sister.
Åkerman first met Donnelly through one of her sister's boyfriends. '[Donnelly] is actually my youngest sister's boyfriend's friend from drama school in England,' Åkerman revealed during an appearance on Live with Kelly and Ryan in 2o18. 'I had known him for the past four years but didn't see him...Then all of a sudden he came back from England like a year-and-a-half ago, and I went, 'Wow, have you always been this cute?''
They tied the knot in a beach wedding in Tulum.
Donnelly's 2017 proposal to Åkerman was thoughtful and personal. 'Jack came to the door with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and proceeded to take me out for dinner at my favorite spot in Brooklyn,' Åkerman told Vogue in 2018. 'We sat in the garden and closed the place down. When we got home, he called me to our room, where he got down on one knee and asked the big question with a beautifully designed ring.'
They married on Dec. 1, 2018, at the Papaya Playa Project in Tulum, Mexico. 'It was all about being authentic...not adhering to somebody else's standard of what a wedding should be,' Åkerman told Brides. 'We wanted the wedding to feel real to us. It gave us a lot of freedom.'
They've worked together.
Donnelly and Åkerman have collaborated on multiple projects, including Friendsgiving, A Week in Paradise, and Slayers. In Friendsgiving, they starred as a couple and filmed a sex scene together. 'Any chance I get to have him do a scene like that, who better than to do it with than your husband?' Åkerman said during an appearance on The Talk in 2020. 'It's a really, kind of, intimate, crazy scene and thank God we know each other well enough instead of just meeting somebody on the first day and [doing] this crazy S&M scene. It was lovely to have him there.'
Donnelly said that filming with Åkerman in Slayers, a vampire horror-comedy, was one of his favorite professional experiences. 'Malin and I are married, so any opportunity we get to work together, we always love it because it means we can keep the family together and travel together,' he told Bleeding Cool in 2022.
He starred in BBC's Atlantis and played a vampire target in Slayers.
Donnelly is well known for playing the lead in the BBC fantasy series Atlantis, and has appeared in United We Fall, Slayers, and the short comedy series The Players.
In Slayers, Donnelly embraced a genre he hadn't tackled before. 'This is one of the only projects where I've not taken my top off at any point,' he joked to Bleeding Cool. 'This is the first time I've done an American accent on camera,' he added. 'I had such a good time doing it. Working with these guys and Asher, I would go back to this team and do more horror. Neither Malin nor I were huge horror fans in the past, but after doing this and exploring it, it was more like, 'There's stuff here that we'd like to get into again.''
He's also a writer and director.
In addition to acting, Donnelly writes and directs. He directed and starred in the short series The Players in 2023.
He's a stepfather to Åkerman's son.
Donnelly has a close relationship with Åkerman's son, Sebastian, from her previous marriage to musician Roberto Zincone. 'He was brilliant with my son, and that was it, and my heart melted,' Åkerman said on Live with Kelly and Ryan in 2018. When she told Sebastian about the engagement, she recalled, 'He jumped up on the couch and went, 'Yay, we're getting married!''
When Donnelly proposed in October 2017, Åkerman posted an Instagram, writing, 'This sweet and loving man has stepped into our lives and stole both our hearts! I think we're gonna keep him around for a while. ;)'
Åkerman also told Us Weekly in 2018 that Donnelly and Sebastian were 'inseparable,' adding, 'It makes my heart warm. I'm very glad to be bringing Jack into our lives for good.'
He helped Åkerman become more vulnerable.
Åkerman credits Donnelly with helping her grow in their relationship. 'He's a master at [communication]. He's taught me a lot,' she told People in 2023. 'He's allowed me to be vulnerable and lean into him a bit, and it's been beautiful to be able to communicate with someone who's your partner.'
The couple also prioritizes intentional time together. 'I love date nights. We both live for them,' she said. 'Sometimes, when we know we're not going to be able to do a date night one week, then we go out for breakfast together.'
He isn't on social media, but Åkerman shares their life online.
Donnelly does not have any social media accounts. 'I'm not really on social media with Twitter, Instagram, or anything,' he told Bleeding Cool in 2022.
Åkerman often posts glimpses into their relationship instead, including a heartfelt post for their six-year wedding anniversary in December 2024: '6 years ago today…and still loving you more than ever ❤️ even if we both forgot that it was our anniversary. 😳 😂 '
She's also celebrated his birthday publicly. In October 2024, she wrote, 'It's his birthday!! #jackdonnelly I couldn't have asked for a better partner ❤️ you make me laugh like no one else! You are a shining bright light and I absolutely adore you for everything that you are.I cannot believe you're still in your 30's 👀!!! #happybirthday my love.'
You Might Also Like
The 15 Best Organic And Clean Shampoos For Any And All Hair Types
100 Gifts That Are $50 Or Under (And Look Way More Expensive Than They Actually Are)
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
BBC calls in police to investigate Strictly Come Dancing
The BBC has asked the police to investigate Strictly Come Dancing amid fresh allegations, according to reports, after claims two of its stars used cocaine. The Sun On Sunday reported that the corporation has alerted the Metropolitan Police to new allegations about the hit dance competition show, the details of which it does not specify. A BBC spokesperson said on Saturday the corporation does not comment on police investigations. It comes after reports in The Sun earlier this month alleged two Strictly cast members' drug use was discussed on the BBC dancing show, and said that the corporation had appointed law firm Pinsent Masons to lead the investigation. The scandal-hit show was also the subject of a review in 2024, when the BBC looked into allegations of bullying and harassment against former professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, made by his former dance partner Amanda Abbington. The corporation upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made – and introduced a series of new measures aimed at improving welfare. READ MORE: DWP full list of 22 medical conditions qualifying for up to £200 a week READ MORE: Live Lotto results for Saturday, August 16: National Lottery winning numbers from tonight's draw This included the introduction of a chaperone who is present 'at all times' during training room rehearsals. EastEnders star James Borthwick was also suspended from the BBC after a video emerged of the actor using a disabled slur on the set of the dance programme. The cocaine use allegations were reportedly made in a legal submission by law firm Russells in March on behalf of former contestant Wynne Evans, who was dropped by the BBC after apologising for using 'inappropriate language' during the launch of the Strictly tour. It is understood that the BBC often appoints external law firms to help it lead investigations. The BBC spokesperson previously said: 'We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. 'We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.' The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment.
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mila Kunis did 'very little eating' while making Black Swan
Mila Kunis barely ate when she was making Black Swan. The 42-year-old actress candidly admitted she had a gruelling diet and exercise regime when working to portray a professional ballerina in the 2010 movie, which was directed by Darren Aronofsky and also starred Natalie Portman. Mila told Vogue magazine: "My prep was a lot of dancing and very little eating — which I know you're not supposed to say, but it's the truth. I drank a lot of broth and danced for 12 hours a day. "We were only supposed to have three months of prep before filming started, but we lost some financing, so that got extended to six months while Darren tried to find money. "It sucked for Darren, but Nat and I were so happy because we had three extra months to dance." And the intense shoot also saw Mila sustain a number of injuries, including one which left her afraid she would have to leave the production. She said: "We would shoot those dancing scenes for hours, and I had bruises all over my ribs just from being lifted over and over again. "I also dislocated my shoulder pretty early in the production and thought I was completely screwed, but Darren sent me to an acupuncturist and I somehow came out totally fine." Although Darren tried to pit Natalie and Mila - who were friends before being cast - against one another during the shoot in a bid to aid their performances, the two actresses quickly realised his tactics. The director said: "My take is that I was trying to be a sneaky director and make them argue. Mila and Natalie both realised very quickly what I was doing and made fun of me, so it quickly became a joke that we all understood. They're both very clever and were instantly privy to whatever trick I was playing. Do you guys remember it differently?" Natalie, 44, replied: "I remember being separated from Mila and that we weren't in the same space a lot when we weren't shooting. Darren made some comment early on, like, 'Ya know, Nat, Mila's dancing so well.' "And I was like, 'Of course she is! She's so f****** talented and I love her so much and I'm happy she's doing a great job!' " Mila added: "Darren would tell me, 'Nat is working really, really hard. She's not even taking Saturdays and Sundays off.' Then I would text Nat and she'd be like, '…No, I'm not?' "I think that's how we figured out what Darren was up to, but it was all in good fun."
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Kristen Bell on Why Audiences Swoon Over That First ‘Nobody Wants This' Kiss: ‘Comfort Can Be Incredibly Passionate'
Joanne (Kristen Bell) and Noah (Adam Brody) are back for Season 2 of 'Nobody Wants This,' and the show's cast and producers hint that there will be changes to their relationship after the Season 1 finale. 'Joanne and Noah are now at a place in their relationship for Season 2 where they're asking each other different questions,' creator and showrunner Erin Foster revealed at the inaugural Televerse event, hosted on Aug. 15 at the J.W. Marriott L.A. Live. 'Everyone's been in the first couple months of a relationship, and everyone's past the threshold where you ask if you and your partner are going to dinner with each other's families or if you are going to cohabitate with one another. There's all of these teeny, tiny things that link you closer to someone else.' More from Variety 'Nobody Wants This' Season 2 First Look: Kristen Bell and Adam Brody's Love Faces More Tests - Will Joanne Convert to Judaism? 'Bones' Reunion, Henry Winkler Acting Class Set for TV Academy's Televerse Festival Next Month 'Nobody Wants This' Casting Team Used Clips of Adam Brody and Kristen Bell's Past Projects: 'Everyone Could See the Chemistry Right Away' During the panel, actress Jackie Tohn teased what is next in store for her character, Esther, who is married to Noah's older brother, Sasha (Timothy Simons). 'We delve a lot deeper into everybody, because we have more time to do that,' she said. 'I think Esther is realizing in Season 2 that she wants to have a good time like Noah and Joanne, and to not have self-imposed bad times.' 'Nobody Wants This' follows Joanne, an agnostic podcast host who finds herself falling in love with Noah, an unconventional rabbi. The two begin to question their growing affection for one another and if they can make romance work between the two. In Season 1's first kiss scene, Bell and Foster revealed the intimacy behind the kiss and why it went viral online. 'In the [first kiss] moment, it is meant to give the audience the passion of like these two people and their comfort together, because comfort can be incredibly passionate,' said Bell. 'It's a deep, beautiful emotion, and we don't associate it with kissing very much.' Added Foster: 'I think that as sometimes as women, there's sort of a universal language that we all know with each other. We have a responsibility when we're creating something that we are telling the narrative of romance to young women. And a lot of it is, have you know their habits that you sort of don't want to emulate, and the idea of showing women a healthy relationship. Sometimes as a woman, we want men to talk to us like we're a little delicate and strong, and to support us.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in August 2025 What's Coming to Netflix in August 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
