A Timeline of Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton's Low-Key Romance

Hiddleston and Ashton first met when they starred together in the West End production of "Betrayal." The show opened in March 2019 before heading to Broadway that August, at which point both stars moved to New York for the gig. Ashton mentioned in an AOL Build Series interview in late 2019 that she'd grown close to Hiddleston and their costar Charlie Cox while working on the production. "We were really lucky that we, on day one, had an incredible trust," she said, adding, "I feel a core connection to these people and it's because I can feel how open we are. I can feel the trust that we have."

Soon after moving to New York for "Betrayal," Hiddleston and Ashton attended the US Open together in August 2019, their first public outing unrelated to their work in "Betrayal." It's around this time that rumors the pair may be more than friends began to swirl. Though The Sun reported the two began dating around February (most likely amid rehearsals for "Betrayal"), neither Hiddleston nor Ashton confirmed the rumors.

In February 2021, Deadline reported that Ashton signed on to star as the main villain in "Captain Marvel 2," aka "The Marvels." In December of that year, costar Brie Larson shared the news on Instagram with the caption, "Marvel fans, start your theories," and a winking face. She's also seen wearing a shirt that says "Villain Lovers Club," a nod to Ashton's role in the upcoming film.

Fans were excited to see this casting, not just out of a love for Ashton and her work, but also because Hiddleston plays beloved antihero Loki in the MCU. Conveniently enough, Ashton's other "Betrayal" costar, Cox, is also in the MCU, as he plays Daredevil.

In September 2021, Hiddleston and Ashton were spotted showing a rare bit of PDA while frolicking in the ocean on vacation in Ibiza, Spain, per photos published by Entertainment Tonight. The pair were still keeping information about their dating status close to the chest, so this was as close to a confirmation that they were dating as fans could expect.

Just after returning from their trip to Spain, Hiddleston and Ashton walked the red carpet at the 2021 Tony Awards together. While the pair had walked red carpets as costars of "Betrayal" before, this was seemingly their first outing as a couple. Hiddleston was up for best performance by a leading actor in a play, and "Betrayal" was nominated for best revival.

Hiddleston and Ashton attended the BAFTAs together in 2022, holding hands on the red carpet as they posed for photos. They looked cozy together on the red carpet and shared adoring looks before the event.

Fans spotted a diamond ring on Ashton's finger in some behind-the-scenes BAFTAs photos, including one shared by TV presenter AJ Odudu. In her photo, Odudu is posing with Ashton and Hiddleston, and Ashton's large ring is clearly there. People confirmed the engagement, though neither of the actors' reps commented.

But while fans caught on to the engagement during the BAFTAs, it turns out Ashton was spotted with the ring months earlier — as far back as November 2021. So while we don't know exactly when Ashton and Hiddleston got engaged, it's safe to assume it was long before anyone realized it. And knowing how intensely private this couple is, we may never find out for sure.

On June 29, during the New York premiere for Ashton's film "Mr. Malcolm's List," the actor debuted her growing baby bump, revealing that the engaged couple was expecting their first child together. Vogue also confirmed the pair's pregnancy news in a behind-the-scenes feature on Ashton's "Mr. Malcolm's List" premiere look.

In October, Us Weekly reported that the couple welcomed their first child. "Tom and Zawe are loving being new parents and are filled with joy," a source told the outlet on Oct. 26. "They have been having the struggles of new parents and aren't sleeping much but are thrilled." The couple have not yet revealed the name of their child.

Hiddleston and Ashton had a rare outing as a couple on July 16 at the men's final during Wimbledon. They wore coordinating blue looks and were spotted cheering enthusiastically from the stands.