Unveiling Michelle Williams and Thomas Kail's Secretive Romance: A Timeline of Their Love Story

Michelle Williams and Thomas Kail, a power couple in their own right, have a unique and lasting love story. Their paths first intertwined while collaborating on the FX series Fosse/Verdon, where Williams portrayed the iconic dancer Gwen Verdon, and Kail served as a director. Verdon was famously married to Bob Fosse until his passing in 1987, with Sam Rockwell playing the choreographer in the series.

Williams and Kail's relationship started to blossom on the set of the Emmy-nominated show, despite both of them being in previous relationships - Williams with musician Phil Elverum and Kail with Broadway's Angela Christian. In December 2019, it was confirmed that the two were engaged and were expecting their first child together. Williams is already a mother to daughter Matilda, whom she shared with the late Heath Ledger.

According to a source, Williams and the director of In the Heights were overjoyed about expecting a baby and expressed a desire to get married before the arrival of their child. The couple made a public appearance at the 2020 Golden Globes, where Williams won the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for her role in Fosse/Verdon. During her heartfelt acceptance speech, she fondly acknowledged Kail.

"As females, we may experience situations that are beyond our control," she expressed on stage at the Beverly Hilton in California. "I have always strived to live a life that I have created for myself - not merely a string of occurrences that happened to me. I wanted my life to be something I could step back and take pride in, knowing that every aspect of it was of my own design. This would not have been possible if I didn't have the right to choose, as a woman. I was able to decide when and with whom to have my children, and I felt empowered knowing that I had support and could maintain a balance between my personal and family life. As mothers, we all understand that the scales will always tip in favor of our children."

She concluded by saying, "Tommy and Matilda, I can't wait to be back home with you."

At the SAG Awards later that month, she won Best Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series and expressed her gratitude towards Kail once again. "Tom, I share this with you," she said in January 2020. Williams acknowledged Kail for teaching her the importance of being completely honest as a human being, and how it has influenced her as an actor. In her speech, she also expressed her love for Kail and their family, and announced her plans to return home. Two months later, the couple tied the knot and welcomed their son in June 2020. Williams announced her third pregnancy two years after.

"It's an incredible feeling," she shared with Variety in May 2022. "As time passes by, one can't help but question what the future holds. Therefore, I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue something that brings me immense joy. My family and I are incredibly grateful for this chance. Raising a child is a powerful motivator to make the world a better place."

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Michelle Williams and Husband Thomas Kail's Relationship Timeline: Inside Their Private Love Story

Private power couple! Michelle Williams and Thomas Kail's relationship got off to an unconventional start — but the duo are still going strong.

Williams and Kail met on the set of FX's Fosse/Verdon, where Williams played Gwen Verdon and Kail worked as the director. At the time, Williams was married to musician Phil Elverum, but they split in 2019. Kail was married to Broadway star Angela Christian. Despite their respective relationships, it seems that Williams and Kail developed a connection while working together.

In December 2019, it was announced that the couple had gotten engaged and were expecting their first child together. Prior to this, Williams had a daughter named Matilda with the late Heath Ledger, whom she split with in 2007. Unfortunately, Ledger passed away due to an accidental overdose the following year. According to a source in January 2020, Williams and the In the Heights director were excited about their upcoming arrival and hoping to tie the knot before their baby's arrival.

During the 2020 Golden Globes, the talented actress won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television award for her role in Fosse/Verdon. In her acceptance speech, she gave a heartwarming shout-out to her partner, acknowledging the challenges that women face with their bodies and the importance of having the right to choose when and with whom to have children. She expressed gratitude for being able to lead a life of her own making and recognized the role that support plays in balancing motherhood with other aspects of her life.

As the winner of Best Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series at the SAG Awards, the Shutter Island star expressed gratitude towards Kail once again in January 2020. She acknowledged the importance of honesty both as an actor and as a person, and thanked her loved ones, including Tommy and Matilda, for teaching her through their own authenticity. She concluded by expressing her love and excitement to return home to them.

Two months after their secret nuptials, Us confirmed the couple had tied the knot. Their son was born in June 2020, two years before Williams announced her third pregnancy. When speaking to Variety in May 2022, Williams expressed her joy, saying, "It's exciting to discover that something you want again and again, is available one more time. That good fortune is not lost on me or my family...raising a great kid makes you committed to a better world."

Scroll down to relive Williams' private romance with Kail:

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Credit: FX Networks

Late 2018

Fosse/Verdon was in production from late 2018 to early 2019. Kail directed Williams in a handful of episodes, earning him an Emmy nod. 

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April 2019

Less than one year after they quietly tied the knot, Us confirmed Williams' split from Elverum. Kail ended his marriage to Christian the same year.

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December 2019

Us confirmed the Blue Valentine actress' engagement to — and first pregnancy with — the Tony winner.

Credit: David Fisher/Shutterstock

January 2020

The couple stepped onto the red carpet for the first time at the 2020 Golden Globes, and later attended the SAG Awards together. According to an insider, the start of their relationship was fraught with complications.

Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

March 2020

Us exclusively confirmed Williams' secret wedding to Kail after the twosome were spotted wearing matching rings.

Credit: Rob Latour/Variety/Shutterstock

June 2020

The Venom star gave birth to the pair's first child together. Two years later, Williams revealed the baby boy's name: Hart.

Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

May 2022

The Golden Globe winner revealed she and Kail were expecting their second child together, her third. "It's totally joyous," she gushed to Variety at the time.

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October 2022

The pair stepped out with their newborn and eldest son, Hart, in New York City, confirming they were officially a family of five.

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November 2022

Williams gave a rare personal update at the Gotham Awards, telling Entertainment Tonight: “It's a busy house, but it's a happy one.”

Credit: CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

March 2023

Kail supported his wife at the 2023 Academy Awards, where she earned a nomination for Best Actress for her work in The Fabelmans.

Credit: Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock

June 2023

Williams supported her husband at the 2023 Tony Awards. Kail produced and directed a Broadway production of Sweeney Todd, which was up for Best Revival of a Musical.