Margot Robbie made a captivating return to the red carpet on August 20 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, marking her first public appearance since becoming a mother nearly a year ago. The Oscar-nominated actress attended alongside her A Big Bold Beautiful Journey co-star Colin Farrell, celebrating the release of their upcoming romantic fantasy film.
Dressed in a sleek black fitted mini-dress paired with strappy heels, Robbie showcased her signature blonde look with elegance. Meanwhile, Farrell opted for a casual ensemble of blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and a black cardigan. This event not only highlights Robbie’s comeback to public life after welcoming her baby boy with husband Tom Ackerley, but also marks her first film project since 2023’s Barbie.
Balancing Motherhood and Career with New Projects
Since the birth of her son, Margot Robbie has quickly resumed her acting career, appearing on set in March for Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Although she maintains a busy schedule, Robbie finds subtle ways to keep her child close, notably wearing a delicate gold necklace engraved with the word mama during a swim in Australia earlier this year.
Robbie and Ackerley, who share both a marriage and a professional partnership through their production company LuckyChap Entertainment, have often expressed their deep affection for one another publicly, blending their personal and professional lives seamlessly in their creative endeavors.
The Evolution of a Relationship: From Friends to Life Partners
The connection between Margot Robbie and Tom Ackerley dates back to their early days as roommates in 2014. After meeting on the set of Suite Française, they launched LuckyChap Entertainment with friends Josey McNamara and Sophia Kerr. The group lived together in a shared Clapham home in London, where Robbie and Ackerley transitioned their friendship into romance.
We were friends for so long,
Robbie shared in a 2016 Vogue interview when reflecting on their relationship.
I was always in love with him, but I thought, ‘Oh, he would never love me back. Don’t make it weird, Margot. Don’t be stupid and tell him that you like him.’
She later added,
It happened and I was like, ‘Of course we’re together. This makes so much sense, the way nothing has ever made sense before.’
Early Romance and Public Beginnings
Robbie and Ackerley kept their initial romance private, unsure of its seriousness. They eventually made their relationship public during a February 2015 New York Rangers hockey game, confirming what friends had already guessed. Despite trying to keep things low-key, their connection gradually became central to their lives.
We kept it a secret because we weren’t really taking it seriously,
Robbie revealed in a 2018 Elle interview.
’Oh, whatever, we’re just mates, we’re just mates.’ And then… everyone found out.
Affection and Admiration in Their Relationship
Robbie often candidly described Ackerley as “the best-looking guy in London,” sharing how she once feared confessing her feelings to him. She admitted battling apprehension about their romantic future, having previously been wary of relationships altogether. Eventually, their mutual affection blossomed into something undeniable.
I was the ultimate single gal. The idea of relationships made me want to vomit,
she recalled.
And then this crept up on me. We were friends for so long. I was always in love with him, but I thought, ‘Oh, he would never love me back. Don’t make it weird, Margot. Don’t be stupid and tell him that you like him.’ And then it happened, and I was like, ‘Of course we’re together. This makes so much sense, the way nothing has ever made sense before.’
Marriage and Milestones in a Private Setting
The couple’s wedding took place in a private ceremony in Byron Bay, Australia, in December 2016. Robbie, breaking tradition, wore a shirt emblazoned with the phrase Say I Do Down Under before confirming their union by displaying her wedding ring.
Shared Ambitions and Delayed Honeymoon
Robbie and Ackerley’s dedication to their craft was evident when they postponed their honeymoon to focus on filming the Oscar-winning movie I, Tonya, which they co-produced. Reflecting on the experience, Robbie told Extra,
We did this film instead of our honeymoon,
and admitted,
There were times we were sitting in a car parked in Atlanta freezing cold being like, ‘We should be on a beach right now. We should be on a honeymoon. What are we doing?!’ Following our dream.
Supporting Each Other in the Spotlight
During the July 2023 world premiere of Barbie, Ackerley was by Robbie’s side, complementing her look inspired by the 1961 Solo in the Spotlight Barbie edition. He continued to accompany her throughout the press tour, demonstrating their mutual support.
Private Moments and Public Displays of Affection
In August 2023, the couple enjoyed a romantic getaway to Greece, where they were captured sharing a tender kiss in the crystal-clear waters. This rare public display of affection highlighted their deep connection away from the constant media attention.
Rare Public Praise for Tom Ackerley
Although generally keeping their romance personal, Robbie praised her husband during the 2024 Critic’s Choice Awards. Speaking to E! News correspondent Keltie Knight, she said, I am so lucky, before adding
He likes being behind the camera. He’s not fazed by any of this stuff.
Shared Experiences at the Oscars
Tom Ackerley attended the Academy Awards in March 2024 as a nominee for the first time, accompanied by Robbie, who had been nominated three times previously. Reflecting on his experience in an interview with A Frame, Ackerley stated,
It’s obviously incredibly overwhelming at times, but it’s such a celebration of cinema. And being at the center of it, it’s a dream come true, truthfully.
The film Barbie garnered eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, further cementing the couple’s status in Hollywood.
Welcoming Their First Child and Embracing Parenthood
Following public sightings of Robbie’s baby bump in July 2024, reports confirmed in November that the couple had welcomed their first child, a baby boy, whose name remains private. This milestone marks a new chapter for Robbie and Ackerley as they balance their thriving careers with their roles as parents.
