By Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup are one of Hollywood’s most powerful—and low-key—couples. The pair first met on the set of Netflix’s 2017 series, Gypsy, where they played husband and wife, and their on-screen chemistry soon turned into a real-life relationship.
While they’ve kept their romance mostly out of the spotlight, Watts and Crudup regularly support each other on red carpets and at awards shows. After dating for six years, they quietly tied the knot in 2023 at a New York City courthouse. A year later, they followed it up with a larger wedding celebration with family and friends in Mexico City.
Ahead, a complete timeline of Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup’s relationship—from their on-set beginnings to their red-carpet debut and surprise wedding.
Jump to
They first meet
2009
Watts and Crudup first meet on Broadway in 2009. They both attend the 24 Hour Plays on Broadway after-party in New York City in November 2009. At the fundraiser event, they’re photographed alongside Liev Schreiber (who is dating Watts at this time) and Eva Mendes.
(Watts and Schreiber dated from 2005 to 2016 and share two sons together: Samuel Kai and Alexander “Sasha” Pete. They announced their split in September 2016.)
They begin filming Gypsy together
Fall 2016
Shortly after announcing her breakup from Schreiber, Watts begins filming a new Netflix series, Gypsy, in which she plays a therapist who crosses the line with her patients’ lives. Crudup is cast as her husband in the show.
Dating speculation begins
March 2017
Fueling dating rumors, Watts and Crudup are photographed out in NYC together, months after filming for Gypsy wraps. Despite speculation, both actors refer to themselves as “single” in separate interviews later in the spring.
They’re confirmed to be dating!
July 2017
After being spotted holding hands in NYC, a source confirms to People that Watts and Crudup are officially dating.
Naomi supports Billy on Broadway
March 2018
After months of keeping their relationship under wraps, Watts steps out in NYC to attend the opening night of Crudup’s one-man play, Harry Clarke, at the Minetta Lane Theatre.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight about the play, Crudup discusses why he wants to keep his relationship with Watts private. “I try to make it a point of not commenting publicly one way or the other about my personal life,” the actor says. “I don’t particularly see the advantage of people knowing too much about me if I’m constantly trying to trick them into thinking I’m someone else.”
Billy thanks Naomi at the Critics Choice Awards
January 12, 2020
Billy Crudup wins Best Supporting Actor at the 2020 Critics Choice Awards for his performance in The Morning Show. In his acceptance speech, the actor thanks Watts.
“Thanks to them and my son and my friends and family and Naomi and everybody, so thanks a lot,” he says, marking the first time he’s publicly acknowledged their romantic relationship.
Billy thanks Naomi’s kids at the Emmy Awards
September 20, 2020
Crudup then wins the Emmy Award for his performance in The Morning Show. In his acceptance speech, the actor mentions Watts’s two children, Sasha and Kai. “And to the young people in my life: my glorious son, Will, my nephews, and all my godchildren, Sasha and Kai, please save us. Sorry to ask. I love you, and thank you."
They’re spotted walking their dog in New York
May 16, 2021
In a rare public appearance, Watts and Crudup are seen laughing and embracing while walking their dog in NYC.
They make their official red carpet debut
February 27, 2022
After five years of dating, Watts and Crudup walk their first red carpet as a couple at the 2022 SAG Awards. Watts wears a sparkly black Fendi couture gown while Crudup opts for a tux moment.
Naomi wishes Billy a happy birthday
July 8, 2022
Watts takes to Instagram to share a rare selfie of the couple in honor of Crudup’s birthday. The photo, which was taken outside the Musée du Louvre in Paris, is simply captioned, “Happy Birthday, my love.”
Billy supports the launch of Naomi’s wellness brand
October 19, 2022
Crudup supports Watts at the Los Angeles launch party for her new wellness brand for women going through menopause, Stripes. Making a rare public appearance together, the couple poses arm-in-arm.
They attend the premiere of Hello Tomorrow!
February 15, 2023
The pair attends the premiere of Crudup’s new series, Hello Tomorrow!, in NYC. They’re photographed holding hands on the red carpet.
Engagement rumors spark
April 27, 2023
While in NYC, Watts wears a large diamond ring on her left hand, sparking engagement rumors. Just a few dates later, the actor appears on The Today Show with Hoda Kotb, once again wearing the diamond ring.
“My eye is hurting. There’s a big glint coming from some ring over here. It just struck me. But it’s beautiful,” Kotb says, pointing out Watts’ sparkling ring.
Watts avoids answering and simply smiles, replying, “Oh, the brain fog!”
They get married!
June 9, 2023
The engagement rumors are true: Naomi Watts confirms that she and Billy Crudup have officially tied the knot! The actor shares a photo of their wedding at a Manhattan courthouse on Instagram to announce the news.
She captions the photo, which shows the pair on the courthouse steps, “hitched!”
Watts wears an Oscar de la Renta gown for the nuptials.
They attend the Golden Globes together
January 7, 2024
Watts and Crudup walk their first red carpet since becoming husband and wife. For the award show, Watts stuns in a one-shoulder silver sequin gown by Fendi.
Billy supports Naomi at Feud premiere
January 23, 2024
Crudup joins Watts at the NYC premiere of her new series, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, in which she stars as Babe Paley.
They have a second wedding in Mexico City
June 2024
One year after tying the knot, Watts and Crudup throw a second wedding celebration for their family and friends in Mexico City. Per People, Watts’s brother, photographer Ben Watts, confirm the news in an Instagram video. The clip shows Watts and Crudup, in a wedding dress and tuxedo, waving in an elevator with their family on their special day.
The ceremony includes both Crudup and Watts’s children, along with other family members and friends.
They show each other love at the Emmys
September 16, 2024
Crudup wins the Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Morning Show. In his acceptance speech, the actor gives a shoutout to his wife. “This is an incredible honor. Thank you all. I’m happy to be here with my piece of eye candy there, my wife, who also happens to be an immigrant and also gave a searing performance this year for which she's nominated. And she starts businesses, too. So nice to be by her side,” Crudup says.
After the show, Watts congratulates Crudup on his win with two sweet Instagram posts. “Proud of you, Billy,” she writes alongside a photo of her giving him a kiss.
Billy supports Naomi’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star
October 13, 2025
Watts is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Crudup joins her at the official ceremony. The couple is photographed with Watts’s new star, and afterwards, she makes rare remarks about their relationship in an interview with People. “Oh, he’s just the best listener, the most present human being, gentle and supportive and funny and smart as anything. We have something quite special,” she says of her husband.
Watts also gives Crudup a special shoutout during her speech at the ceremony, saying, “[He] has shown me phenomenal love and support.”
Billy takes a selfie with Naomi’s All’s Fair cast
November 14, 2025
Crudup snaps a selfie with Watts and some of her co-stars, including Sarah Paulson and Niecy Nash. The actor includes the candid snap in an Instagram photo dump, along with other behind-the-scenes moments from the show’s promotional tour.
