Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton’s Love Story Is So Low-Key but So Cute

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Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton are the definition of a low-key couple in Hollywood. They *also* seem to have one of the most supportive relationships in the industry. The pair, whose engagement was confirmed in March 2022, also share a baby they welcomed to the world in summer 2022. The actors first met while starring in the play Betrayal together, and clearly their chemistry translated to their off-stage ‘ship IRL.

Despite first collaborating together in a v public setting, the couple has kept the details of their romance pretty private…and with good reason! After all, Tom, who famously dated Taylor Swift in 2016, was kinda-sorta scorned by the experience of dating under a bright spotlight, which he opened up about to the Telegraph in 2017.

tom hiddleston and zawe ashton

Dave Benett//Getty Images

“Everyone is entitled to a private life,” he confessed to the outlet before he added, “I love what I do and I dedicate myself with absolute commitment to making great art and great entertainment, and in my mind I don’t conflict the two. My work is in the public sphere and I have a private life. And those two things are separate.” TBH, fair!

Ahead, we have what relationship info Tom and Zawe are comfortable sharing publicly. Staring with how they met back in….

October 10, 2018:

Ah, the first meeting! Tom and Zawe participate in a charity gala celebrating the work of playwright Harold Pinter that takes place in London, England. Pics for proof!

tom hiddleston and zawe ashton

Dave Benett//Getty Images

^ I mean, love was *clearly* in the air already.

Years later, in an interview with Tatler, Zawe confessed she and Tom “had done a reading together of the central scene, at a gala for Harold Pinter’s birthday,” which ultimately led to her getting an offer to be a part of the revival of Pinter’s play Betrayal. And guess who co-starred with her in the production? Tom, of course….👀

March 2019:

Then Betrayal co-stars play a married couple (wink, wink) named Robert and Emma opposite Charlie Cox, whose character Jerry has an affair with Emma. Oh, and the play runs at the West End’s Harold Pinter Theater from March to June 2019, which means these two have to spend a lot of time together.

tom hiddleston, zawe ashton and charlie cox

Dave Benett//Getty Images

^ In which Charlie is just there, lol.

April 3, 2019:

While starring in Betrayal together, Tom supports Zawe at the launch party of her first book, Character Breakdown, at Wild By Tart in London. The pics are *chef’s kiss*.

tom hiddleston and zawe ashton

Joe Maher//Getty Images

tom hiddleston and zawe ashton

Joe Maher//Getty Images

Character Breakdown

Character Breakdown

P.S. A source close to the production of Betrayal would go on to tell People in March 2022 that the duo always had “lovely” chemistry while working on the project together: “They were very private publicly, but behind the scenes you could just see a lovely chemistry,” the insider recounted before adding, “There were twinkles in both of their eyes, and the entire company, including Charlie Cox, were all very close.”

“Tom has always been a very, very private person. Behind the scenes, they would just privately be affectionate and hugging and sitting next to each other and holding hands,” they added. In-ter-est-ing!

August 27, 2019:

Tom and Zawe finally (!!) spark dating rumors after they are spotted attending the U.S. Open together.

February 16, 2021:

In an iconic casting decision,* Deadline reports Zawe is officially part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) The Marvels cast opposite Brie Larson, who plays Captain Marvel. No other details are revealed at the time, other than the fact that Zawe is rumored to be playing a villain.

* Iconic because MCU fans know Tom well for his portrayal of the villain Loki, making the casting decision yet another source of common ground for the couple.

September 2021:

Tom and Zawe are snapped showing rare PDA vibes during their Ibiza, Spain vacation, and the pics are 🔥🔥🔥.

September 26, 2021:

The rumored couple poses together at the 2021 Tony Awards in a move that seems (?!) to confirm their romance.

tom hiddleston and zawe ashton

Jenny Anderson//Getty Images

tom hiddleston and zawe ashton

Bryan Bedder//Getty Images

^ Oh, don’t mind me! I’m just out here fully reading into this head tilt.

March 13, 2022:

Tom and Zawe hold hands as they walk the BAFTAs red carpet together. The two are also dressed to the nines, with Tom sporting a black tux while Zawe looks radiant in a flowing, pink gown. Ahem, observe:

tom hiddleston and zawe ashton

Kate Green//Getty Images

tom hiddleston and zawe ashton

Kate Green//Getty Images

Oh, and right on the heels of that very same event….

The two swiftly spark engagement rumors after Zawe is seen wearing a diamond ring on *that* finger in a photo. But let’s backtrack a bit; Throughout her entire time walking the red carpet at the BAFTAs, Zawe was able to keep her hand (and her massive 💍 for that matter!) hidden from photographers, but once inside the event, snaps of the diamond were taken. It helped that a selfie with British TV presenter AJ Odudu (in the second pic) which showcased the ring was also shared.

Shortly after, People confirms the exciting engagement news.

June 14, 2022:

Tom officially officially confirms the engagement by opening up about it via an interview with the Los Angeles Times:

“Hiddleston found time in March to propose to Zawe Ashton, his co-star in a 2019 West End revival of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal. ‘I’m very happy’ is all he wants to say about that, perhaps gun-shy regarding personal matters since a super-scrutinized 2016 romance with Taylor Swift. But just get him started on the latest shows….”

June 29, 2022:

While attending a screening for her film Mr. Malcolm’s List, Zawe shows her growing baby bump on the red carpet and looks GORGE while doing so.

zawe ashton

Michael Loccisano//Getty Images

zawe ashton

Jamie McCarthy//Getty Images

October 2022:

Us Weekly reports the couple has welcomed their first child together!

“Tom and Zawe are loving being new parents and are filled with joy,” an insider shares with the publication at the time.

July 16, 2023:

The couple makes a rare public appearance together during the Wimbledon 2023 men’s final in London and is in very good company alongside Andrew Garfield, Ariana Grande, and Jonathan Bailey.

celebrity sightings at wimbledon 2023 day 14

Karwai Tang//Getty Images

celebrity sightings at wimbledon 2023 day 14

Karwai Tang//Getty Images

celebrity sightings at wimbledon 2023 day 14

Neil Mockford//Getty Images

July 18, 2023:

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Zawe opens up about getting advice from her MCU vet/fiancé ahead of her appearance in The Marvels.

“It led to some incredible conversations about his experience being part of this franchise for over a decade,” the actor dishes to the outlet. “One of the main takeaways from our conversations was: ‘What you put into Marvel, you get back.’ He said, ‘If you go into this with an open heart and a great work ethic and just want to provide an amazing experience for the fans, you’ll have an amazing experience on those sets.’ He really empowered me in that way.”

Aaaaand that brings us up to date, but check back in for any new installments of Tom and Zawe’s sweet love story!

Headshot of Gretty Garcia

Gretty Garcia

Assistant news editor

Gretty Garcia is the assistant news editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers all things news, entertainment, and pop culture. Before joining Cosmo, Gretty was a social strategist for Mrs. Dow Jones and a features and special projects editor at Editorialist. She holds an MS from the Columbia Journalism School and studied art history at Harvard College. 

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