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Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton's Relationship Timeline

A Timeline of Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton's Low-Key Romance

Nov 8 2023

Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton are one of our favourite low-key couples. The pair, whose engagement was confirmed in March 2022, are also parents to a toddler they welcomed last year.

Back in July, Hiddleston and Ashton made a rare public appearance at the Wimbledon men's final, where they happened to sit in front of Ariana Grande and Andrew Garfield. Shortly after, Ashton explained to Entertainment Weekly that Hiddleston gave her great advice when it came to joining him in the MCU. Ashton stars in this November's "The Marvels," and Hiddleston, of course, has appeared in the Marvel films for years as Loki.

"It led to some incredible conversations about his experience being part of this franchise for over a decade," Ashton told EW about joining the franchise with Hiddleston. She said that he gave her practical advice, like making sure her costume has "enough zippers to go to the bathroom." Ashton explained, "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."

Ashton and Hiddleston met in 2019 while starring on the West End together and quickly sparked dating rumours. But rather than be loud about their relationship, the two very private people have mostly kept the details of their romance to themselves. Hiddleston, who famously dated Taylor Swift in 2016, made a U-turn on sharing his personal life after that experience. He told the Telegraph in 2017 that he wanted to keep his private life just that — private.

"Everyone is entitled to a private life," he shared, adding, "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."

For everything we know about Hiddleston and Ashton's sweet and low-key romance, keep reading ahead.

Image Source: Getty / Darren Gerrish

March 2019: Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton Star in "Betrayal"

Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton first met when they starred together in the West End production of "Betrayal." The show opened in March 2019 before heading to Broadway that August, at which point both Hiddleston and Ashton moved to New York for the gig. Ashton mentioned in an AOL Build Series interview in late 2019 that she'd grown close to both Hiddleston and their co-star Charlie Cox while working on the production. "We were really lucky that we, on day one, had an incredible trust," she said, adding, "I feel a core connection to these people and it's because I can feel how open we are. I can feel the trust that we have."

Image Source: Getty / Bruce Glikas

August 2019: Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton Attend the US Open Together

Soon after moving to New York for "Betrayal," Hiddleston and Ashton attended the US Open together in August 2019, their first public outing unrelated to their work in "Betrayal." It's around this time that rumours the pair may be more than friends began to swirl. Though the Sun reported the two began dating around February (most likely amid rehearsals for "Betrayal"), neither Hiddleston nor Ashton confirmed the rumours.

Image Source: Getty / SOPA Images

February 2021: Zawe Ashton Joins the MCU

In February 2021, Deadline reported Ashton signed on to star as the main villain in "Captain Marvel 2." In December, costar Brie Larson shared an Instagram with the caption "Marvel fans, start your theories" and a winking face. She's also wearing a shirt that says "Villain Lovers Club," a nod to Ashton's role in the upcoming film.

Fans were excited to see this casting, not just out of a love for Ashton and her work, but because her rumoured beau, Hiddleston, is beloved antihero Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Conveniently enough, Ashton's other costar from "Betrayal," Charlie Cox, is also in the MCU he plays Daredevil.

September 2021: Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton Kiss While on Holiday in Spain

In September 2021, Hiddleston and Ashton were captured showing a rare bit of PDA while frolicking in the ocean on a cavation together in Ibiza, Spain. The pair were still keeping information about their dating status close to the chest, so this was as close to a confirmation they were dating as fans could expect.

Image Source: Getty / David M. Benett

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September 2021: Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton Make Red Carpet Debut as a Couple

Just after returning from their trip to Spain, Hiddleston and Ashton walked the red carpet at the Tony Awards together. While the pair had walked red carpets as co-stars of "Betrayal" before, this was seemingly their first outing as a couple. Hiddleston was up for best performance by a leading actor in a play, and "Betrayal" was nominated for best revival.

Image Source: Getty / Jenny Anderson

March 2022: Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton Attend the BAFTAs Hand-in-Hand

Hiddleston and Ashton not only showed up to the BAFTAs together, but they did so holding hands, seemingly confirming once and for all that they're a couple. They looked cosy together on the red carpet, sharing adoring looks with each other before the event.

Image Source: Getty / Tristan Fewings

March 2022: Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton Reveal They're Engaged

Fans spotted a diamond ring on Ashton's finger in some behind-the-scenes BAFTAs photos, including one shared by TV presenter AJ Odudu. In her photo, she's posing with Ashton and Hiddleston, and the large ring is clearly there. People confirmed the engagement, though neither of their reps were willing to comment.

But while fans caught on to the engagement during the BAFTAs, it turns out Ashton was spotted with the ring months earlier — as far back as November 2021. So while we don't know exactly when Ashton and Hiddleston got engaged, it's safe to assume it was long before anyone realised. And knowing how intensely private this couple is, we may never find out for sure.

June 2022: Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton Reveal They're Expecting Their First Child

On 29 June, during the New York premiere for Ashton's film "Mr. Malcolm's List," the actor debuted her growing baby bump, revealing that the engaged couple is expecting their first child together. Vogue also confirmed the pair's pregnancy news in a behind-the-scenes feature on Ashton's "Mr. Malcolm's List" premiere look.

Image Source: Getty / Jamie McCarthy

October 2022: Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton Become Parents

In October, Us Weekly reported that the couple have welcomed their first child. "Tom and Zawe are loving being new parents and are filled with joy," a source told the outlet. "They have been having the struggles of new parents and aren't sleeping much but are thrilled." The couple have not yet revealed the name of their child.

Image Source: Getty / Stephane Cardinale - Corbis

July 2023: Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton Attend Wimbledon Together

Hiddleston and Ashton had a rare outing as a couple on 16 July at the men's final during Wimbledon. They wore coordinating blue looks and were spotted cheering enthusiastically from the stands.

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