Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville has publicly discussed his new relationship for the first time, following the end of his 25-year marriage to Lulu Williams. The 62-year-old star confirmed he is dating vegan influencer Heidi Kadlecova and says he feels "blessed" to start a new chapter.
A New Chapter After Loss
Hugh Bonneville and his wife Lulu Williams announced their separation in September 2023. This period marked the culmination of several difficult years for the actor, who had lost his mother, brother, and father within a traumatic six-year span. Speaking to Saga Magazine, Bonneville reflected on processing his grief, particularly after his mother Patricia's death.
He revealed that he delayed reading letters of condolence until a year later, when he took them to a quiet hotel in India. "I read all the letters and absolutely let it all out. All the emotion. That was a very cathartic thing," he shared.
Finding Love Again On Set
By October 2024, Bonneville confirmed his new romance with Heidi Kadlecova. Reports suggest the pair were introduced by the cast and crew while filming the movie Go Away!. They were reportedly seen sharing affectionate moments between scenes on set.
When asked about moving on, the Paddington and Harry Potter actor stated: "I do feel very blessed and very content to have started a new chapter. I am more accepting of the wheel of life and how fortunate I have been to have, on the whole, good health and to do something I love."
A Fairy-Tale Beginning and a Private Split
Bonneville's previous marriage had a storybook origin. He and Lulu Williams first met as teenagers but reconnected decades later thanks to a nudge from his mother. "Lulu was running a marquee company... my mother rang her to hire some chairs or something and said, 'Do you remember Hugh?' and that was how we reconnected," he fondly recalled.
The couple, who share a 23-year-old son named Felix, lived in West Sussex and were known locally as a sociable pair. A source close to them commented on the split to The Sun, noting, "Hugh has been away from home filming a lot this year. He has lost a bit of weight this summer, he was looking trim, tanned and relaxed."
Prior to his relationship with Kadlecova, Bonneville was briefly rumoured to be dating Canadian actress Claire Rankin in March 2024, though neither party addressed the speculation.
