The Truth About Claire Danes' Marriage To Hugh Dancy
Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy are a bit of a rarity in Hollywood: After meeting in 2007, the two have enjoyed a long relationship-turned-marriage and are mom and dad to two children, Cyrus and Rowan. On top of that, the pair seems to genuinely still enjoy one another, and it looks like they will continue to do so for many years to come.
As noted by IMDb, Danes became a star at the young age of 15 when she was cast as the main character of "My So-Called Life" in 1994. She jumped into film soon after, and Danes starred in the revamped and wildly popular "Romeo + Juliet" in 1996. She's been working steadily since and gained new fans when she starred in "Homeland" from 2011 to 2020. Danes met Dancy on the set of "Evening" in 2007 and never looked back.
Dancy has enjoyed his own fruitful career. While he is probably best known in his native U.K., the actor has had roles in a number of high-profile U.S. films, including "Confessions of a Shopaholic." He even joined the cast of Danes' show "Homeland" in 2020. Here's a look at the charmed life the two have built together for themselves and their sons.
Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy met on set
Like a lot of Hollywood couples, Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy met the old-fashioned way: on set. The pair were introduced when they both starred in the 2007 film "Evening," and from what they've each said, it sounds like they fell in love pretty fast — and everyone knew about it. Their co-star Mamie Gummer told Bustle, "I was there when it was happening and it's something that I will never forget. I'm incredibly happy for them. They are perfect for each other."
In a 2017 episode of Dax Shepard's podcast, "Armchair Expert," Danes said that she definitely knew Dancy was the one pretty early on. She recalled having a crystal-clear moment during which she realized, "I think I'm going to marry this person," and added that this was the point in time when "the end of [her] life as a single person was realized."
Years after they met, Dancy told the Evening Standard that deciding where the two would live together was easy, as Danes had strong ties to her hometown and he didn't. He explained, "Claire grew up in New York and has lived there pretty much all her life, other than when she was a teenager working in LA. So she was the one who had roots."
Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy got married in France in 2009
Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy made things official in 2009 when they hopped across the Atlantic to get married in France. Their joint representative confirmed the news to People a few weeks after the wedding took place, though they provided very few details.
While the two are quite private, they have occasionally opened up about what married life has been like. And so far, it sounds ideal. Per "Entertainment Tonight," Danes told The Edit Magazine, "Marriage is wonderful. It's challenging, and ... it just keeps getting deeper." She also added that her marriage with Dancy gives her an overall sense of security and it comes with a few bonuses. Danes said, "It's a huge asset to have a partnership with someone you trust and admire, and want to make out with."
Danes echoed her own thoughts again in an interview shared by the Daily Mirror. While noting that all relationships take work, she also spoke about her overwhelming relief that she had found the right person to live side-by-side with. She said, "I find it very freeing to know that, OK, it takes constant nurturing and attention, but I can also stop looking for The One."
They are very private parents to their two sons
Since Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy are super private about their relationship, it's probably not a huge surprise that they aren't out there sharing tons of information about their kids, let alone photos. Despite that, we do know at least a little bit about their sons. PopSugar shares that their oldest son, Cyrus, was born December 17, 2012. Two years later, Danes explained to Harper's Bazaar UK that while she loves motherhood, the experience certainly comes with its own challenges. She said, "We all have that resentment at times and anxiety about being trapped by the role, that responsibility. And then chemically it can run riot ... And there's no 'off' button" (via the New York Daily News).
PopSugar also shares that the pair welcomed their second son, Rowan, on August 27, 2018. This time around, Danes planned to take time off toward the end of her pregnancy, which she didn't do the first time. As she told People, having the ability to choose when she took time off felt incredible. She explained, "It feels like a huge luxury. When I was pregnant with my first son, I worked until I was in my eighth month, so this feels like a huge gift."
Claire confessed she didn't know how motherhood would change her marriage
While it's clear that both Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy love being parents, Danes has been honest about the challenges that she's faced as a mother — especially the emotional challenges. While speaking to Anderson Cooper before the birth of their first son, Danes was up-front about the myriad of feelings the two were facing. She explained, "There's no way of anticipating what that's going to mean for [husband Hugh Dancy and me], but we are very excited."
Danes has also spoken about a part of parenting young children that many parents can relate to: There's a bit of a limit on your own personal space. In an interview with Harper's Bazaar UK, she said, "You always feel beholden to somebody ... And for so long they're like koala bears, you just feel a physical responsibility to be there for them to cling to. It's pretty primal" (via the New York Daily News).
Dancy has been even less forthcoming about what life as a parent is like. When asked by the Evening Standard how marriage and parenthood are treating him, Dancy simply replied, "They're both treating me very well." Well, then!
The couple owns a home in New York City
In 2013, Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy made a pretty major purchase together: a $6.8 million townhouse in the West Village. The Daily Mail reveals that the home is made up of four stories, three of which have outdoor space. The home also has its own library and five bedrooms. It's actually the second home that the two have bought together.
The pair bought their first house, a "country home" in the Hudson Valley, in 2010. At the time, Danes admitted to People that she was having a blast decorating. As someone who grew up in New York City, Danes said she was still getting used to the idea of living in a house with a basement. She explained, "We bought a fairly old home and it's the first time I've ever lived in an actual house."
Danes went on to add that life in the Hudson Valley was pretty sweet. She and Dancy were spending quite a bit of time at a nearby auction house. She said, "There's a great auction house near us that we go to. A lot. You can eat chili and brownies and just buy antiques. It's heaven!" (via People).
Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy love to gush about one another
Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy both have a particularly disarming trait: they love to wax poetic about one another every so often. While the two are notoriously private, it seems that even they can't help but slip up every now and again. While being interviewed by Glamour UK in 2014, Danes likened her husband to characters on a popular television show. "He is a gentleman. 'Downton Abbey'-esque? I guess. He was raised well, went to great schools, he's a clever guy and he makes me giggle ... I scored. I lucked out, big-time" (via Just Jared).
For his part, Dancy has praised his wife and her work. While speaking to the Evening Standard, he revealed that he loves watching his wife work. "She tries to be very honest, without artifice, in what she does. And it is hard to do that and be interesting and create something big."
Hugh Dancy says the two have some rules in their marriage
While everything does truly seem to be pretty perfect between Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy, the two haven't gotten to that place without some work. Dancy told the Evening Standard that like many couples, they have rules in their marriage. Unlike a lot of couples, those rules are about pretty extraordinary things. For starters, they need to run potential work locations by one another, because those work locations can be pretty extreme! He said, "You have to have, not rules, but things to aspire to, like not being apart too long, basic stuff. Don't take a job in Australia without telling me!"
Danes also dropped a few tidbits about what married life is like while speaking to The Edit. In typical fashion she gave an honest, and sweet, answer when she explained, "Marriage is wonderful. It's challenging, and ... it just keeps getting deeper. I keep learning more things about him and myself, and that's not always comfortable" (via the Daily Mail).
Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy lived apart for many years due to work
Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy obviously have a lot going for them as a couple, but they've had their fair share of challenges to overcome in their relationship too. Danes told the publication Porter that the two had to live apart for several years during the filming of her hit series "Homeland," and it's not an experience she liked or ever wants to repeat.
Danes explained that while Dancy was filming "Hannibal" in Toronto, she was living further down south in North Carolina for "Homeland." Of the long-distance relationship, she said, "That was tough. That distance is corrosive, and I'm just bad at it. And I don't particularly want to get good at it." Ultimately, Danes said the experienced served to reinforce the fact that she and her husband prefer to be around each other — in the flesh — as much as possible.
Happily, Dancy got a role on "Homeland" for its final season. Although the two were never actually in scenes together, they enjoyed working so closely. She explained, "I didn't have a single scene with him, but on my days off, I would go to his set. He's very good."
Claire Danes said having date nights with Hugh Dancy is a must
Like many working parents, Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy have to make sure they connect together without the kids every so often, and the actress has said that she absolutely loves having date nights with her husband. While speaking to Glamour, Danes even said dates can happen anywhere, including in your own home. She told the publication, "Sometimes you have to apply yourself, or at least apply lipstick to yourself. You kind of have to dress up, just because. You know, wear heels to your own dinner table."
The actress went on to add that sometimes the added effort can make you feel self-conscious, but it's always worth it in the end. As she put it, even when you know how the night is going to end up, it's fun to take your time getting there. She said, "Sometimes it feels totally absurd, 'cause we're just going down the block and he's wearing his 'smart' blazer. Like, who are we kidding? We know where this is going: We're going back home to watch 'Breaking Bad.'"
These days, Claire Danes says her marriage is 'very secure'
One of the most delightful things about Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy's marriage is that they are still very much in love with each other. After telling The Sun that she often looks to her own parents' long and happy marriage as inspiration, Claire said, "I like marriage. I feel very secure. It helps when you are in love with the person you are married to."
Danes has also marveled at how her marriage spanned the entire run of "Homeland." As she told NPR that being on a show while undergoing so many huge life moments has been very special. After all, when she began the show she and Dancy were only just married, "and I'm leaving the show as a mother of two. [We] just celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary. It's going to be a while before I can understand and I can appreciate what this is all meant to me."
Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy really believe they are perfect for each other
As many of us know, Hollywood is filled with stories of celebrity marriages that just didn't make it for one reason or another. In some ways, it's refreshing to read about a love like the one Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy share — and they both seem very aware of how fortunate they are to have found someone with whom they really believe they are meant to spend the rest of their lives.
While speaking to Porter, Danes dropped a little secret about the moment she knew Dancy was the one for real, and it's just as adorable as you think it will be. As she said, "I had an ornament-making party for Christmas, and he helped organize it. Then he made an ornament of cowboy paper dolls, and I thought, 'and he crafts?' That was it." From that moment to now, Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy have definitely been putting in the work to make their marriage last.