British actor Joseph Millson has announced his engagement to girlfriend Lilli Fichtner, marking his third journey toward marriage. The 51-year-old EastEnders star shared the happy news over the weekend through an emotional Instagram post, revealing how Fichtner, who is nearly twenty years his junior, helped him rediscover love.
A Heartfelt Announcement on Social Media
Millson, best known for playing Jason James, the fiancé of Lynne Hobbs on the BBC soap opera, posted a touching message alongside images of the couple. He quoted poet William Wordsworth, writing, "Surprised by joy" as Wordsworth would say… Not too long ago I was pretty certain my old heart was too bruised and bashed to ever love again. It was going to take someone pretty extraordinary to breathe life into it.
He continued with praise for his fiancée, stating, "Then I met Lilli. A woman shaped by kindness, intelligence, talent, beauty, patience, humour and humanity." Millson reflected on the courage required for love, adding, "So as the world spends money on commercial s***e, I actually like to think of the old martyr St Valentine himself who was busy arranging secret marriages and stuff in a scary Roman world. Love takes courage. Count me in."
Details of the Proposal and Ring
Lilli Fichtner, a 32-year-old actress from Germany, also shared the news on her Instagram account, uploading a photo of her dazzling diamond engagement ring. She revealed that the proposal actually occurred over Christmas, writing playfully, "He said yes! (and so did I)." The couple made their relationship public on Instagram in April last year, following the breakdown of Millson's previous marriage.
Background on Millson's Previous Marriages
Joseph Millson's engagement comes after his divorce from actress Sarah Jane Potts, which was finalized last year after 12 years of marriage. The pair met on the set of the BBC medical drama Holby City, where they played on-screen couple Luc Hemingway and Eddi Nicholls. They married in 2013 but separated in 2024.
Prior to that, Millson was married to Caroline Fitzgerald from 1999 to 2011, with whom he shares two children: a daughter named Jessie and a son named Gabe. His romantic history adds context to his heartfelt message about overcoming past hurts to embrace new love.
Fan Reactions and Career Highlights
Fans quickly flooded social media with congratulations for the couple. One supporter commented, "Congratulations. You’ve really been through the mill, son (pun intended) and deserve all happiness," while another wrote, "Love everything about this. Much joy and love always to you both!"
Beyond EastEnders, Joseph Millson has an extensive acting career. He is widely recognized for roles in Holby City, the Doctor Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures, and The Last Kingdom. Additionally, he appeared as MI6 agent Carter in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale, showcasing his versatility across television and film.
This engagement marks a significant personal milestone for Millson, as he prepares to embark on his third marriage with Lilli Fichtner, celebrating a love story that has captured the attention of fans and media alike.
