Kenneth Branagh and Lindsay Brunnock at The Olivier Awards 2017.Photo:David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty
British actor and filmmakerSir Kenneth Branaghhas been married to his wife Lindsay Brunnock since 2003.
The couple are known to keep their relationship private, so much so that they secretly eloped and didn’t announce their marriage to the public until months later.
Branagh and Bunnock first crossed paths in the late ’90s, but didn’t start dating until they worked together on the British miniseriesShackletonin 2001. He played the starring role of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton as he set off on his expedition to the South Pole, while Brunnock worked on set as an art director.
After about two years, Branagh and Bunnock eloped in a secret ceremony at a friend’s New York City apartment. Neither Branagh nor Brunnock have social media accounts and often keep their private life to themselves, a notable change from the actor’s much more public first marriage.
Despiteher heartbreak, Thompson voiced that there is no bad blood between her and Bonham Carter, who continued in a relationship with Branagh until 1998. “That is … all blood under the bridge. You can’t hold on to anything like that,” she toldThe Sunday Times.
Branagh and Bonham Carter also remained amicable following their split — in fact, theAlice in Wonderlandactress was the one who introduced him to his future wife, Brunnock. The couple have now been married for over a decade, and theylive a quiet lifein Berkshire, England, with their dogs.
She’s a film art director
Lindsay Brunnock and Kenneth Branagh at the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Belfast’ in November 2021.Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Alamy
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Alamy
Brunnock isa film art directorwho has worked on a wide range of movies, including the 2006 British comedy-dramaStarters for 10, featuringJames McAvoyandBenedict Cumberbatch, and the 2003 titleBright Young Things, whichStephen Frywrote, directed and acted in.
Kenneth Branagh and Lindsay Brunnock attend a Venice Film Festival after party in August 2007.Chris Jackson/Getty
Chris Jackson/Getty
A somewhat unlikely meeting, Brunnock first met her future husband through his ex-girlfriend, Bonham Carter. According to theEvening Standard, Brunnock and Bonham Carter became acquainted when they worked together on the 1997 British movie adaptation of George Orwell’s novelKeep The Aspidistra Flying, in which Brunnock was an assistant art director while Bonham Carter was part of the main cast.
During the filming of the project, theSweeney Toddactress was dating Branagh and she introduced him to Brunnock, per theDaily Mail.
She and Branagh eloped in New York City
Kenneth Branagh and Lindsay Brunnock at the world premiere of ‘Murder On The Orient Express’ in November 2017.Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage
Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage
The couple married in late May 2003 and kept things low-key with a private wedding that only a few people knew about beforehand. The two wed at an N.Y.C. apartment of an actor whom Branagh knew from his theater production,The Play What I Wrote.
He later told theDaily Mailthat only seven guests were present, including Branagh’s personal assistant at the time, Tamar Thomas, and his driver, Terry Pritchard.
The ceremony was so private that Branagh only told his parents about the special occasion when he was already on his way to the airport to fly out from England.
They made their red carpet debut in 2001
Lindsay Brunnock and Kenneth Branagh at the world premiere of ‘Gosford Park’ in November 2001.Dave Benett/Getty
Dave Benett/Getty
Branagh and Brunnock first stepped out as an item in November 2001 at theGosford Parkpremiere at the Regus London Film Festival. Since their debut as a couple, the pair have gone on to grace many red carpets.
More recently, the two were photographed at the2022 Oscars, when Branagh won an Academy Award for best original screenplay for his semi-autobiographical film,Belfast.
Branagh honored Brunnock when winning his first Oscar
Lindsay Brunnock and Kenneth Branagh at the 94th Academy Awards in March 2022.Gilbert Flores/Variety/Penske Media/Getty
Gilbert Flores/Variety/Penske Media/Getty
When Branagh was presented with his Oscar for Best Original Screenplay forBelfastin March 2022, Brunnock was the first to congratulate the eight-time nominee. The couple embraced and shared a sweet kiss before Branagh headed to the stage to collect his award.
“This is an enormous honor for my family,” he said in his heartfeltacceptance speech.
Speaking with theDaily Mailin May 2016, Branagh spoke about his wife’s support while taking on work.
“She’s like most women in that she’s smarter than most men,” he said. “She’s certainly smarter than me and knows me better than I know myself. She understands that it’s great when people love what they do, but also knows they need the right kind of balance in their life.”
She has visited Branagh on set
Kenneth Branagh and Lindsay Brunnock attend The London Critics' Circle Film Awards in January 2016.David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty
Brunnock would frequent the set in Sweden while Branagh was filming the final season ofWallander,a series that deals with many heavy topics surrounding health. He played a character named Kurt Wallander whose Alzheimer’s disease begins to take hold.
“I was more conscious of the need to deal withWallander’s sadness this time around,” he told theDaily Mailof his role. “I had friends who came out on a regular basis, whereas for previous series I’d tended to bury myself a bit. My missus was there most of the time too and it made for a more normal experience.”
source: people.com
