The Real-Life Partners Of The Cast Of Ozark
If you love gritty crime dramas, you're probably a huge fan of Netflix's hit series "Ozark." Since its debut in 2017, viewers have followed the wild story of the Byrde family's journey into the drug business. Taking place in the Missouri Ozarks, the show has captivated audiences and kept them clamoring for more of the money-laundering family. In addition to the show receiving praise for its writing and production, stars Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, and Julia Garner have also been celebrated for their acting, with Bateman and Garner both winning Primetime Emmy Awards for their work on the show.
Fans of the beloved characters and the drama that follows them, "Ozark" viewers might be wondering about the lives of the show's actors – - especially as the series comes to an end after a two-part fourth season. While you likely know the ins and outs of relationships between these flawed, yet entertaining, characters, you might not know about the relationships of the people who portray them. Here are the real-life partners of the cast of "Ozark."
Jason Bateman is married to actress Amanda Anka
On "Ozark," Jason Bateman's money-laundering character, Marty Byrde, is married to Laura Linney's character, Wendy. Offscreen, Bateman's wife is actress Amanda Anka, who has appeared in the movie "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the show "The Fosters." The Hollywood couple met when they were both just 18 years old. However, they didn't start dating until a decade later because, as Anka told GQ, she "just wasn't into where he was at."
Bateman and Anka eventually got married in 2001, and now they have two daughters named Francesca and Maple, as noted by Us Weekly. Having such a long-lasting marriage in the entertainment industry might seem like an anomaly, but Bateman believes the secret to the couple's success is their friendship. "With a girlfriend, you get into a fight, you drive away," Bateman told Redbook. "With us, we learn to fight quickly or not at all. I wanted to marry a friend. Friends last longer."
Laura Linney's husband works in real estate
Throughout her years acting on stage, film, and television, award-winning actress Laura Linney has portrayed a spouse in several roles. In addition to playing wife Wendy Byrde on "Ozark," she's also known for her Emmy-winning portrayal of Cathy Jamison, a wife and mother navigating cancer on "The Big C."
In her personal life, Linney is married to real estate agent Marc Schauer. The couple met unexpectedly when Linney traveled to Colorado for a film festival with her mother, whom she took as her date. Schauer happened to be working at the festival as a host who was assigned to Linney. Recounting the meet-cute with The New York Times Magazine, Linney said, "I remember looking at him at one point and going: 'Am I attracted to this man? Am I attracted to my handler? What is going on?'"
Linney and Schauer kept in touch, eventually married, and welcomed a son in 2014.
Julia Garner and musician Mark Foster wed at New York's City Hall
Although Julia Garner wows fans with her acting skills on shows like "Ozark" and "Inventing Anna," her husband entertains crowds in another way. Garner is married to musician Mark Foster, the frontman for the band Foster the People, known for their hit song "Pumped Up Kicks." Since meeting at the Sundance Film Festival, the two stars have had a whirlwind romance. In fact, Foster proposed to Garner just 10 months after dating, according to Vogue. Before Garner started shooting the third season of "Ozark," the couple took a trip to Yellowstone, during which Foster popped the question.
Garner and Foster got married in December 2019 during a small ceremony at New York's City Hall — seemingly a nod to Garner's parents, who also wed there. The following February, Foster celebrated his wife's birthday with a sweet Instagram post. "This is the second year we have celebrated her birthday together," he captioned a picture of the couple embracing. "It's the first year we celebrate as husband and wife. Happy birthday, my beautiful sweet Julia. You make everything magic."
Janet McTeer's spouse is in the fashion industry
Actress Janet McTeer plays Helen Pierce on "Ozark," which earned her a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award nomination in 2021. Born and raised in England, McTeer now lives in the United States with her American husband, Joseph Coleman. Coleman once worked as a science teacher in his home state of Maine, but he is now a poet and fashion consultant whose work has appeared in several publications, including Vogue and Esquire magazines (via Cadet).
McTeer isn't just a standout on screen; she's also known and celebrated for her theater work. Serendipitously, she met her future husband while she was acting in the Broadway play "Mary Stuart," according to The New Yorker. Coleman, who had been invited to the play by his neighbor, met McTeer backstage after a performance. Although McTeer never thought she would get married, she found herself "falling in love" with Coleman. "I just knew he was the love of my life," McTeer told The New Yorker. "And he is."
Jordana Spiro and her husband keep their lives private
New York native Jordana Spiro has been acting on television and film since the '90s. Throughout the years, Spiro has appeared in several shows, including "My Boys," "The Good Wife," and "The Mob Doctor." She also worked on "Ozark," portraying the character Rachel.
While Spiro has spent a good chunk of her life in the public as an actress, she tends to keep her personal life private. While not much is known about Spiro's relationships, we do know she is married to husband Matthew Spitzer. Keeping with her brand of privacy, Spiro and Spitzer announced via a representative they were expecting a child in 2014, but they didn't give many details (via Us Weekly).
Although the couple doesn't share much, Spiro has been known to occasionally post photos of her husband on social media. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, Spiro posted a screenshot of a FaceTime call with her husband as he wore a mask and a stethoscope. "My better half," she captioned the Instagram post. "Bel-Air" actress Cassandra Freeman commented, "I had your husband as my doctor today!"
Felix Solis' partner Liza Fernandez also acts
If you're a fan of "Ozark," then there's no doubt you recognize Felix Solis for his integral role. Solis plays cartel key player Omar Navarro on the Netflix drama and was nominated, along with the rest of the cast, for a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2021. However, Solis isn't just an actor. He also owns the production company Subway Token Films, which he created with his work and romantic partner Liza Fernandez.
Solis and Fernandez have worked on several projects together, including the short "Tinto," in which they both act. Fernandez has also appeared on television shows, such as "S.W.A.T." and "Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders."
The couple doesn't just support each other when they're creating together; they also celebrate each other's solo endeavors. In January 2022, Fernandez posted an Instagram picture of Solis praising him for his work on "Ozark." "This beautiful man is back on @Ozark and I couldn't be prouder," she captioned the photo.
Damian Young married actress Welker White
Felix Solis isn't the only "Ozark" cast member who works with his partner. Actor Damian Young, who plays Jim Rattelsdorf on the show, also has a creative business with his wife, actress Welker White. Through The Moving Frame, Young and White provide acting training in the form of workshops and coaching. It makes sense, given the two actors have both worked in theater and combined have made more than 100 film and television show appearances, according to Daily Review.
Young and White have been together for more than 30 years and live in New York. White frequently posts photos of her husband on her social media and has promoted his work on "Ozark." She also posts photos of them during downtime in their busy schedules, like when they go on vacations and have lunch outings. In February 2021, Welker posted an Instagram selfie of her and Young on the beach captioned, "Oh! It's Valentine's! Here's me with mine for the last 30."