Ben Barnes, the charismatic British actor who has captured hearts worldwide through his iconic roles in The Chronicles of Narnia , Shadow and Bone , and The Punisher , remains one of Hollywood’s most enigmatic bachelors when it comes to his personal life. Despite his undeniable charm and leading-man status, the 43-year-old actor has managed to keep his romantic relationships largely out of the public eye, creating an air of mystery that only adds to his appeal.
Born Benjamin Thomas Barnes on August 20, 1981, in London, England, this Leo has built an impressive career spanning over two decades, from his early days in the boy band “Hyrise” to becoming a household name through blockbuster films and critically acclaimed television series. His journey from Kingston University graduate to international heartthrob has been marked by professional success, yet his dating life continues to be a subject of intense speculation among fans and media alike.
The actor’s approach to romance reflects a level of privacy rarely seen in today’s social media-driven celebrity culture. In a rare perspective on love, Barnes once shared insights influenced by his upbringing, noting that his mother, Patricia, works as a relationship therapist, while his father, Thomas Barnes, is a psychiatry professor. This unique family background has shaped his understanding of relationships, as he explained: “Love is something that comes out of a mutual trust with your partner. Shared goals, humor, the excitement when your hands touch.”
Currently, Ben Barnes is single and not publicly dating anyone, though his romantic history includes several high-profile connections and rumored relationships that have kept fans guessing about his love life.
Confirmed Relationships and Dating History
Ben Barnes (Image via Getty)
Tamsin Egerton (2009-2010)
Ben Barnes’s most confirmed relationship was with English actress Tamsin Egerton, best known for her role as Guinevere in the television series Camelot . Their relationship lasted from 2009 to 2010, during which time they were spotted together in Australia, sparking initial media attention about Barnes’s dating life.
The relationship began when rumors surfaced about their close connection Down Under. According to reports at the time, “Tamsin hooked up with Ben a couple of times and there was a lot of talk about how close they were.” However, Egerton herself downplayed the romance, stating she had even “tried to set him up with one of my friends once, but he wouldn’t bite.” Despite the brief nature of their relationship, it marked Barnes’s first publicly acknowledged romantic connection.
Meganne Young (2017)
In 2017, Barnes was linked to South African actress and model Meganne Young, known for her roles in Black Sails , Eye in the Sky , and The Kissing Booth . Their connection became public when Young posted an Instagram photo showing her hugging Barnes from behind during what appeared to be a sunny day outing.
The relationship remained largely speculative, with Young’s social media posts suggesting a close friendship rather than confirming romance. In August 2017, she posted birthday wishes for Barnes, describing him as “one of the sweetest, kindest, gentlest souls I have ever been lucky enough to cross paths with.” Neither actor confirmed the nature of their relationship, leaving fans to speculate about whether their connection was romantic or purely platonic.
Rumored Relationships and Speculated Connections
Ben Barnes (Image via Getty)
Jessie Mei Li (2023)
One of the most recent and heavily speculated relationships involves Barnes’s Shadow and Bone co-star Jessie Mei Li. Fans of the Netflix series have consistently “shipped” the two actors, particularly given their on-screen chemistry as General Kirigan (The Darkling) and Alina Starkov.
Rumors reached their peak in March 2023 when reports suggested the co-stars might be romantically involved. However, these speculations were quickly addressed by Barnes himself through a source who clarified to E! Online that the pair “have been friends for eight years” and emphasized there was “nothing more” to their relationship. This revelation surprised many fans who assumed their connection began with the show’s production.
Felicity Jones (2014)
Oscar-nominated actress Felicity Jones was linked to Barnes in 2014 following their appearance together at the Britannia Awards. The Rogue One: A Star Wars Story actress and Barnes were subsequently spotted together at Los Angeles International Airport, fueling dating rumors.
According to reports, Barnes offered to wait with Jones when her transportation was delayed, demonstrating the gentlemanly behavior that has become his trademark. The timing coincided with Jones’s recent end of a decade-long relationship with Ed Fornieles, making the potential romance even more intriguing to media outlets. However, like many of Barnes’s rumored relationships, neither party confirmed nor denied the speculation.
Julianne Hough (2020)
In April 2020, Barnes was photographed on what appeared to be a romantic ice cream date with Dancing with the Stars champion Julianne Hough in Venice, California. The outing occurred just two months after Hough officially filed for divorce from her ex-husband, Brooks Laich, adding significance to the timing.
Eyewitnesses described the pair as “very flirty and friendly” during their visit to Salt & Straw, even noting that they tasted each other’s ice cream flavors. However, an insider quickly clarified to People magazine that Hough and Barnes had been friends for eight years prior to the photographed outing, suggesting their relationship was platonic rather than romantic.
Amanda Seyfried (2013)
Barnes’s connection to Amanda Seyfried stemmed from their collaboration in the 2013 film The Big Wedding . Some outlets speculated about a potential romance, citing supposed photographs of the pair holding hands. However, Barnes later clarified the nature of their relationship through a 2015 social media post, describing Seyfried as a “friend” while visiting her on the set of Ted 2 .
Current Relationship Status and Future Outlook
Ben Barnes (Image via Getty)
As of 2025, Ben Barnes remains single and has not been publicly linked to anyone romantically. The actor continues to maintain his privacy regarding personal relationships, a stance that has remained consistent throughout his career. His approach to dating reflects a mature perspective influenced by his family background and personal values.
Barnes’s current focus appears to be on his thriving career, with recent projects including his continued work in television and his venture into music. The actor has been developing his musical talents, even launching his own YouTube channel and releasing music, demonstrating his multifaceted artistic abilities.
The mystery surrounding Barnes’s love life only adds to his appeal, with fans continuing to speculate about potential romantic interests. His ability to maintain privacy in an increasingly transparent celebrity culture speaks to his professionalism and personal boundaries.
Jodie Comer, the Emmy-winning actress best known for her portrayal of the psychopathic assassin Villanelle in “Killing Eve,” has managed to keep her personal life remarkably private despite her rising fame. The Liverpool-born star has been in a relationship with American tech professional and lacrosse player James Burke since 2019, marking a significant chapter in her romantic journey.
Their love story began during an unexpected period in Comer’s life when she wasn’t actively seeking romance. While filming the action comedy “Free Guy” in Boston, the actress met Burke at a party, sparking what would become a five-year relationship that has weathered both personal challenges and public scrutiny. The relationship represents Comer’s first serious romance in the public eye, though she has been fiercely protective of their privacy throughout their time together.
What makes their relationship particularly intriguing is how it developed during Comer’s first major Hollywood production on American soil, coinciding with her career reaching new heights. The timing proved serendipitous, as Comer later described meeting Burke during this transformative period as “special,” emphasizing how the relationship felt different from any she had experienced before. Despite facing controversy and maintaining a long-distance dynamic during the pandemic, their bond has remained strong, offering fans a look into the personal life of one of Britain’s most talented actresses.
Early Life and Career Background
Jodie Comer (Image via Getty)
Jodie Marie Comer was born on March 11, 1993, in Liverpool, England, beginning her acting career in 2008 with an appearance on “The Royal Today.” She gained recognition through roles in “My Mad Fat Diary” and “Doctor Foster” before achieving international acclaim as Villanelle in “Killing Eve” from 2018 to 2022. Her performance earned her a BAFTA Television Award and a Primetime Emmy Award, establishing her as one of the most talented actresses of her generation.
The actress has always been notably private about her personal life, often expressing the importance of maintaining boundaries between her public persona and private relationships. In a 2024 interview, she emphasized the significance of protecting her personal space, stating that people will go to great lengths to invade that privacy.
Meeting James Burke: A Boston Romance
The romance between Jodie Comer and James Burke began in 2019 during the filming of “Free Guy” in Boston. Burke, a Massachusetts native and Penn State University graduate, was working as a tech professional while also being involved in lacrosse. Their meeting occurred at a party in the States, where Comer was experiencing her first major American film production.
Comer later revealed that she wasn’t looking for a relationship at the time, having been single for a while and “going with the flow.” She described the meeting as serendipitous, explaining to British Vogue: “When you’re relaxed and letting the universe do what it’s doing, things kind of fall into place. Which is very much what happened.” The actress characterized the beginning of their romance as “special,” noting how different it felt from her previous relationships.
Public Confirmation and Early Relationship
In March 2020, Comer made her first public acknowledgment of being in love during an interview with British Vogue, though she didn’t initially name her partner. When asked about love, she responded: “I’m very much in it. I think love’s the best.” This marked a rare moment of openness from the typically private actress about her romantic life.
By late 2020, Comer became more candid about her relationship with Burke, describing it to Sunday Times Style as “very different” from her previous relationships. She explained: “This relationship feels very different. This feels like nothing else… When you actually feel it, you’re like, ‘Ahhh, so this is what it feels like!’ And it was special.” The actress emphasized how the relationship developed during a period of significant professional and personal firsts in her life.
Controversy and Public Scrutiny
Jodie Comer (Image via Getty)
The relationship faced significant public scrutiny in 2019 when fans discovered that Burke was a registered Republican voter, leading to calls for Comer to be “cancelled.” The controversy centered around concerns that the actress, who publicly supports Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ rights, was dating someone whose political beliefs might align with former President Donald Trump.
Comer addressed the situation in multiple interviews, describing it as “absurd.” She told InStyle: “It was really; it was the first time I had ever been dragged into something like that. And it wasn’t just me; it was my family.” The actress chose to remain silent during the controversy, explaining that she saw the absurdity of the accusations against both herself and her partner.
The experience taught Comer valuable lessons about maintaining her personal boundaries and not feeling obligated to convince others of her truth. She stated: “I know who I am, I know my truth, and that’s good enough for me.”
Long-Distance Challenges During COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges for the couple, as travel restrictions prevented Comer from visiting the United States. In a 2020 interview with InStyle, she revealed they were managing a long-distance relationship through “millions of FaceTimes.” Despite the difficulties, Comer remained optimistic about their connection, stating: “I feel like, with anything, if you want something enough, you can make it work.”
Current Relationship Status
Jodie Comer and James Burke (Image via Getty)
As of 2024, there has been speculation about whether Comer and Burke are still together, with some British celebrity watchers suggesting they might have parted ways. However, Comer has remained characteristically quiet about her current relationship status, neither confirming nor denying rumors while focusing on her busy acting career.
The actress continues to prioritize her privacy, rarely sharing details about her personal life or appearing in public with Burke. Their relationship, which began in 2019, has lasted approximately five years, making it one of the longest-documented relationships in Comer’s public life.
Impact on Comer’s Career and Personal Growth
Throughout her relationship with Burke, Comer has continued to achieve significant career milestones, including her Tony Award-winning performance in “Prima Facie” on Broadway in 2023. The relationship appears to have provided stability during a period of intense professional growth and international recognition.
Comer has often spoken about the importance of having grounding influences in her life, including family and long-term friends from school. Her relationship with Burke seems to fit into this pattern of maintaining authentic connections despite her rising fame.
The actress’s approach to balancing her public career with private relationships demonstrates her commitment to protecting what matters most to her while continuing to deliver exceptional performances on screen and stage.
