Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin's Relationship Timeline
Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin met on the set of the Fox series Gotham and married in 2017
Actors Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin have Gotham to thank for their love story.
The two met on the set of the Fox series, on which McKenzie starred as Detective James Gordon and Baccarin as Batman's ally Leslie Thompkins. Though Baccarin originally had a recurring role, she was promoted to the main cast in season 2.
Life imitated art when both the actors and characters became romantically involved; McKenzie and Baccarin showed off some PDA at the 2015 Emmys, and their relationship was confirmed shortly thereafter, followed by a pregnancy announcement. Baccarin's character also became pregnant around the same time the actor announced she was expecting her first child with McKenzie.
Gotham ended its five-season run in 2019, but McKenzie and Baccarin's relationship has kept going strong. From their initial connection on set to the significant date of their wedding, here's what to know about Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin's relationship timeline.
October 2014: Morena Baccarin joins the cast of Gotham opposite Ben McKenzie
In October 2014, Deadline announced that Baccarin was cast as Leslie Thompkins in the Batman prequel, which centers on Detective Gordon's early days in the police force.
This wasn't the first time their paths had crossed, however. Baccarin had also guest-starred on a few episodes of The O.C. — McKenzie's breakout project from the early aughts — though her husband didn't remember being introduced to her.
"I met her on the first series I did, The O.C.," McKenzie said during an appearance on Live with Kelly and Ryan in 2017, clarifying that the two didn't have scenes together. "Apparently, I created quite the impression on her in a bad way. … I didn't remember. We briefly met. She wasn't really in my plotline."
September 20, 2015: Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin hold hands at an Emmys afterparty
Romance rumors heated up after the costars were seen getting cozy at a few Emmys events, including one afterparty where they held hands.
September 21, 2015: Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin's relationship is confirmed
The Gotham costars couldn't hide their romance for too long. Just one day after the Emmys Awards, a source confirmed to PEOPLE that the pair had begun dating a few months earlier.
September 24, 2015: Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin announce they're expecting a baby
Baccarin's rep confirmed the pair were starting a family. "She and Ben are very happy about this news," a source told PEOPLE. "Everyone is very excited."
September 24, 2015: Morena Baccarin wins custody hearing to bring her son to New York City
While Baccarin's divorce proceedings with ex-husband Austin Chick continued off and on from 2015 to 2018, a Los Angeles judge ruled that their son Julius would live with her in New York City, where Gotham filmed. Baccarin and Chick would share joint custody of their then-2-year-old.
September 28, 2015: Court papers reveal that Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin plan to marry
Baccarin announced her plans to marry McKenzie in a legal statement from the custody battle with her ex-husband. "Today, I am in a new committed relationship," she wrote. "I am planning to remarry. Also, I am 3 ½ months pregnant."
November 11, 2015: Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin make their red carpet debut
The costars and parents-to-be made their red carpet debut as a couple at the Sierra Club's Act in Paris event in N.Y.C., with Baccarin's baby bump on full display in a form-fitting, black-and-white dress. McKenzie opted for black pants, a dark shirt and a leather jacket.
November 30, 2015: Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin attend Gotham Independent Film Awards
The expectant parents walked the red carpet at the Gotham Independent Film Awards. Baccarin wore a white dress that showed off her growing bump, while McKenzie donned a classic black suit.
February 2016: Morena Baccarin's Gotham character Leslie is pregnant
The Gotham writers may have seen into the future: Baccarin's Gotham character Leslie was written to be pregnant in season 2.
"It was a total coincidence," she told PEOPLE. "They were already planning on doing that with [Ben and my] characters when I got pregnant. When I told them they were like, 'Okay, great!' and I was like, 'What?' It worked out perfectly."
February 29, 2016: Morena Baccarin says Ben McKenzie took great care of her on set
Ahead of Gotham's mid-season premiere, Baccarin told PEOPLE that her boyfriend had taken extra good care of her on set.
"It's very nice to work with your significant other, especially when you're pregnant because you know you'll get some extra TLC and get taken care of," the Deadpool actress said. "He was making sure I was drinking plenty of water and taking care of myself."
February 29, 2016: Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin attend Gotham premiere
A very pregnant Baccarin joined McKenzie for Gotham's mid-season premiere, and both parents-to-be spoke about their excitement for the future.
"It's more relaxed, you don't have time to sit there and obsess," Baccarin said of her second pregnancy experience. "With my first one, I felt like it was like, 'Oh, what's happening this week? What developmental thing? What should I be eating?' "
McKenzie was thrilled to experience fatherhood. "It's exciting and it's something that I've wanted for a long time," he shared. "I'm very happy about all of it. Poop, diapers and everything. It'll be fun."
March 2, 2016: Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin welcome their first baby
McKenzie and Baccarin introduced their daughter to the world in 2016.
"Morena and Ben are so happy to welcome baby girl Frances Laiz Setta Schenkkan," their reps announced. "All are happy and healthy and appreciate the well wishes."
The pair named their daughter after McKenzie's mother and called her Frankie.
November 2016: Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin are engaged
McKenzie and Baccarin became engaged in late 2016, a source confirmed to PEOPLE.
Baccarin later gushed about her ring, which she considers her favorite piece of jewelry.
"I really understood the tradition of marriage and it's from the person you love the most, and it's a constant reminder of the bond and the love you have for each other," she told PEOPLE in 2018. "It's beautiful."
June 2, 2017: Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin get married
The couple got married on Baccarin's 38th birthday, tying the knot at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens in N.Y.C. The wedding was a small, intimate affair attended by close friends and family.
September 2017: Ben McKenzie discusses his wedding to Morena Baccarin
McKenzie shared details about their wedding in an interview on Harry, including why they chose to get married on Baccarin's birthday. As it turns out, it was a matter of scheduling.
"We wanted to get married at the Botanic Gardens in Brooklyn, which was beautiful. When we wanted to book it, which was over a year in advance in our defense, the only date available was my wife's birthday," McKenzie told host Harry Connick Jr.
He continued, "It's sweet, and half of her loves that and half of her, I think, just wants me to be clear that she is going to get a birthday present and there is going to be an anniversary gift, and it's a whole week. She's Brazilian [and] birthdays are very special."
At the time, McKenzie knew his work was cut out for him. "The good news is, if I do it right, it's going to be a great year every year; if I hit June 2nd we are good," he added.
April 13, 2018: Morena Baccarin talks about Ben McKenzie's parenting skills
The O.C.'s Ryan Atwood is a natural dad. Baccarin opened up about her husband's parenting style in 2018, saying she loved watching him with Frances and Julius.
"It's wonderful to watch him every day with our kids," Baccarin said. "I couldn't ask for a better partner."
May 2018: Morena Baccarin opens up about working with Ben McKenzie on Gotham
Baccarin told PEOPLE Now that the couple found out their series was renewed for a fifth and final season while putting their children to bed — and added that she's the boss at home and on set.
"We go seamlessly from one to the other because we met working, so that's always been what we do together," she told PEOPLE. "At home, you're at home; the change of environment kind of changes everything."
Baccarin added that while they're able to shift from home life to work, sometimes the two worlds do collide. "When he tries to give me notes on set, I tell him, 'You know you're not going to really do that, right?' ... He knows who's boss," she added.
September 4, 2020: Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin fundraise to turn Texas blue
The politically active pair shared an Instagram video, encouraging their followers to donate to an organization helping flip the Texas House to a Democratic majority.
"If we help 10 Texas House candidates turn the state blue, we can stop the GOP war on women's rights, build renewable energy, & provide healthcare to millions," Baccarin wrote in her post. "We'll finally be able to unrig the maps and stop voter suppression for a decade. Even more, the candidates will turn out voters who'll help beat Trump too!"
In McKenzie's post, he added: "By flipping these seats, we'll end gerrymandering and voter suppression once and for all. Your donation goes extremely far, and together we'll celebrate the victory of our lives this November."
September 12, 2020: Morena Baccarin celebrates Ben McKenzie's birthday
The Flash star helped usher in her husband's 42nd year in 2020. "Happy birthday my love!! 2020 doesn't count so you don't age this year," she wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
McKenzie reposted her message and added a quip of his own. "Not how it works, but I'll take it. Thanks for using a pic of me from when I was younger," he said.
December 11, 2020: Morena Baccarin talks about date nights with Ben McKenzie
A global pandemic may have thrown a wrench into the couple's more traditional date nights, but they made it work — and, as seen on his Instagram, their daughter Frances even helped her dad get ready.
Speaking on The Talk, Baccarin shared insight on why Frances chose his look for the night, which included beaded bracelets and necklaces, plus a headpiece and nail polish.
"Look, times have changed. What we now call date night is ... being able to take a walk outside together," Baccarin said. "But it has inspired a lot of anxiety in the kids because we're around all the time, so when we take a little time to ourselves, they're like, 'Where are you going?' "
She continued, "Ben very cleverly found a way to get them involved by asking Frances to help him get ready for the date. I don't think he was expecting the blue nail polish and the bracelets and everything, but I think it looks good on him."
December 11, 2020: Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin announce they're expecting their second baby together
Baccarin shared the happy news while appearing on The Talk, showing off her new baby bump.
Co-host Carrie Ann Inaba Baccarin looked "glowing" and "radiant," prompting the actress to stand up to reveal the bump.
"I think that date was pretty successful," Baccarin said.
March 9, 2021: Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin welcome their second baby
The couple's family grew by one when their son Arthur was born in the spring of 2021. The proud parents each shared the same snap of the newborn on Instagram.
"Welcome to the world, Arthur. Gotta say, your timing is impeccable," McKenzie wrote.
Baccarin added, "2021 is looking up. Welcome to the world Arthur. Trust us, you haven't missed much yet."
July 18, 2023: Morena Baccarin congratulates Ben McKenzie on his new book
The Southland actor made his debut as a published author when he released his investigative work titled Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud, co-written with journalist Jacob Silverman.
The book dives into the world of cryptocurrency reported from multiple angles and McKenzie hoped it would shed light on the up-and-coming industry. "You always have to do your research," he told PEOPLE.
In honor of Easy Money’s release, Baccarin celebrated her husband on Instagram with a sweet note.
“Couldn’t be more proud of the hubby. Order your copy today! ❤️,” she captioned a photo of McKenzie sitting next to a life-size version of his book cover.
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