Hugh Bonneville, best known for his roles in Downton Abbey and the Paddington films, has spoken about starting a new chapter in his life at age 62, following a series of personal tragedies. The actor split from his wife Lulu Williams two years ago after 25 years of marriage and is now in a relationship with former teacher Heidi Kadlecova, 58.
Reflecting on the past decade, Bonneville revealed that losing his mother, brother and father within a few years profoundly affected his outlook. His mother Patricia died suddenly in 2014, shortly after he discovered she had worked for MI6. He described reading condolence letters a year later during a trip to India as a 'cathartic' experience.
His brother Nigel died in his sleep in 2017, and Bonneville and his sister had to break the news to their father, who was then in his 90s and suffering from dementia. Their father's confused reaction, focusing on the financial value of Nigel's flat, was 'funny and dark and weird', Bonneville recalled. His father died in 2020.
Bonneville acknowledges that the losses have made him 'more fatalistic' and grateful for his good health and career. He feels 'very blessed and very content' to have started a new chapter with Kadlecova, who accompanied him to the Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale premiere in New York last year.
He is set to star in the West End production of Shadowlands, playing author CS Lewis opposite Mad Men's Maggie Siff. The play, opening in February at the Aldwych Theatre, deals with later-life love and loss. Bonneville said he has no plans to return to Downton Abbey, joking that 'our company has left the building', though he acknowledged the show's role as a career springboard.
