Ten years on, this is what the cast of About Time are all up to now

Richard Curtis’ film About Time is arguably one of the director’s best romantic comedies, alongside Notting Hill, Love Actually, Four Weddings and A Funeral, and Yesterday. It’s been 10 years since the film was first released, boasting a packed all-star cast of actors, including Rachel McAdams, Domnhall Gleeson, Vanessa Kirby and Bill Nighy. So, where are the About Time cast now? Over the last decade, the cast has been pretty busy, from performing in major blockbuster movies such as Mission: Impossible, to becoming stars on theatre stages in Shakespeare plays.

Here’s a look at what the cast of About Time are doing now:

Domhnall Gleeson – Tim Lake

In the 2013 rom-com drama movie About Time, Domhnall Gleeson plays 21-year-old shy guy Tim Lake, who cunningly uses his inherited time-travelling abilities to win over the woman of his dreams, Mary. Since the release of About Time, the Irish actor has had a relatively successful career. Gleeson, now 40, made his initial breakthrough as the beloved Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter Franchise.

He’s since starred in films including Ex Machina, Brooklyn, The Revenant alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy, and Angelina Jolie’s directorial debut movie, UnBroken. He has also acted alongside About Time co-star Margot Robbie in Goodbye Christopher Robin and the Peter Rabbit films. 

Domnhall’s most recent roles include serial killer Sam Fortner in The Patient, alongside Steve Carrell. He also played White House lawyer, John Dean, during the era of President Nixon’s watergate scandal in White House Plumbers, where he worked alongside Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux.

Although Gleeson prefers to keep his personal and love life private, there are rumours that the actor currently lives with film producer Juliette Bonass in Dublin. While Gleeson has never discussed his relationship status, it’s clear that the duo have some kind of history. According to Bonass, the pair met at the Dublin Institute of Technology in 2015 and have worked with each other on multiple projects. Gleeson previously said he found it “strange” that people are interested in his love life, but acknowledged that he also finds his defensiveness over the topic “odd” .

Rachel McAdams – Mary

Rachel McAdams stars in About Time as Tim’s love interest and intellectual publishing assistant, Mary. McAdam’s character not only lives in the most unrealistic London flat compared to her mediocre salary, but iconically rocks an atypical red dress on her and Tim’s wedding day. 

McAdams, now 44, was already a well-known name throughout Hollywood before About Time was released, having starred as popular plastic Regina George in Mean Girls alongside Amanda Seyfriend, and as Allie Hamilton in tearjerker romance drama The Notebook in 2004. 

The Canadian actress has since starred in successful films such as Spotlight, for which she received an Academy Award nomination, and Netflix’s comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, alongside Will Ferrell. She also joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Christine Palmer, starring in both Doctor Strange films alongside Benedict Cumberbatch as his characters main love interest. 

McAdams’ most recent project is the 2023 comedy-drama Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, where she stars alongside Abby Ryder Fortson and Benny Safdie. 

McAdams announced her marriage to American screenwriter Jamie Linden in 2016 and the birth of her two children in 2018 and 2020. The names of her son and daughter are yet to be revealed, and we know little about them other than their ages. The duo are also yet to make their red carpet debut since the announcement, however the family of four was spotted for the first time altogether on a day out in LA in late July.

Bill Nighy – James Lake

About Time cast member Bill Nighy, now 73, appears as James Lake, aka Tim’s Dad, in the 2013 rom-com, showcasing the bond between a father and son and delivering some of the film’s most heartbreaking scenes beautifully. 

Nighy has been a prevalent Hollywood actor since the 1970s and has received numerous honours throughout his career. The English actor really came to fame amongst popular audiences for his role as has-been singer Billy Mack in the Christmas rom-com, Love Actually.

Nighy has since joined the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise as squid pirate Davy Jones and starred in TV dramas and films, including Ordeal by Innocence, Pride, Their Finest, Dad’s Army and even Detective Pikachu alongside Ryan Reynolds.

Margot Robbie – Charlotte

Robbie was in the early stages of her international acting career when she starred as Tim’s first love interest in About Time after he discovered his time-travelling abilities. 

The 2013 romantic comedy was the Australian actress’s first prominent film role, with her initial breakthrough occurring soon after its release, thanks to her role as Naomi in The Wolf of Wall Street.

Robbie initially appeared in the native soap drama Neighbours, before scoring her first US show, Pan Am, a 1960s period drama. The 33-year-old’s career has only got better, joining the DCEU as Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad and Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey, as well as starring alongside Ryan Gosling in the iconic 2023 movie, Barbie. 

The actress has also starred in The Legend of Tarzan, Bombshell, Mary Queen of Scots, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Babylon. Robbie also produced biographical sports film I, Tonya in 2017.

Robbie announced her marriage to English film producer and actor Tom Ackerley in 2016. The pair attended the World premiere of Barbie together at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in LA. We also know she’s a huge Love Island fan, proven by her beeline for the Islanders at the Barbie premiere earlier this year.

Vanessa Kirby – Joanna

Kirby plays the small role of Joana in About Time, Mary’s friend who goes on a double date at Dans le Noir with Tim and his friend Jay, played by Will Merrick.

The English actress has had a successful career since the film’s release, thanks to her work in TV, film and theatre. Some of her most prominent work has been as Princess Margaret in the Netflix series The Crown, and the White Widow alongside Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible Fallout and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.

Kirby will next star as Josephine in Sir Ridley Scotts’ upcoming historical drama Napoleon with Joaquin Phoenix, having previously acted in films including Jupiter Ascending, Me Before You and Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, with Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham.

The actress most recently dated 37-year-old American Lacrosse player Paul Rabil, with the pair being spotted around London earlier this year, but their relationship ended after seven months. Her social media is mainly reserved for work and with no new sightings of her with anyone, she’s keeping us guessing.

Lydia Wilson – Katherine Lake

Lydia Wilson stars in About Time as Tim’s little, free-spirited sister Katherine, nicknamed Kit-Kat, who is quietly struggling in life. 

Wilson, now 38, is a RADA-trained actress who has since appeared in Star Trek Beyond, Ripper Street, Requiem, PR drama Flack, The Swarm and Sir Kenneth Branagh’s Shakespeare drama All Is True. 

She’s also acted on stage in plays, including Mike Bartlett’s then-futuristic drama King Charles III, The Duchess of Malfi and US presidential drama, The 47th at the Old Vic.

Lindsay Duncan – Mary Lake

About Time cast member Lindsay Duncan, now 72, portrays Tim’s witty mother, Mary. Scottish actress Duncan has been behind the camera since the 1970s, has been nominated for four BAFTAs and has won two Olivier Awards and one Tony for her work on the stage. 

Duncan has starred in various TV series and stage productions, including HBO hit series Rome, Sherlock, A Discovery of Witches, His Dark Materials and Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls. Furthermore, she’s starred in several popular films including Birdman and Gifted, alongside Chris Evans and McKenna Grace.

The actress will next star in the movie adaption of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde, titled Doctor Jekyll, alongside Eddie Izzard.

Will Merrick – Jay

Will Merrick features as Tim’s well-meaning but sometimes useless best friend, Jay. Since the film’s release in 2013, he’s appeared in popular TV shows such as Doctor Who, Poldark, Count Arthur Strong and Dead Pixels.

Merrick, now 30, is currently starring in Apple TV+ sci-fi drama Silo, having also starred as an unnamed young Mattel exclusive earlier this year in Barbie alongside About Time cast member, Margot Robbie.

He’s currently dating actress Phoebe McNally, with the pair speculated to have been dating since 2020. According to his Instagram profile and posts, the actor is currently living in London and spends most of his free time travelling. The pair make a sweet couple and Phoebe has loads of lovey pictures of him on her Instagram. Cute!

Richard Griffiths – Lawyer in a play

About Time is star of stage and screen Richard Griffiths’ final onscreen appearance, with the film being released after his death at age 65 from complications of heart surgery in March 2013. Griffiths appears as an uncredited theatre actor, struggling with his lines in Tim’s landlord’s West End play. 

The late actor’s career spanned almost four decades, starring in films including Withnail and I, Gandhi, Chariots of Fire, Sleepy Hollow and The History Boys. Griffith also joined the Harry Potter franchise in 2001, portraying the role of Harry’s arrogant uncle, Vernon Dursley. 

Griffith’s received an Olivier, a Tony, a BAFTA nomination and an OBE throughout his impressive career.

For all the latest reality TV and entertainment news and gossip like this explainer on the About Time cast now, like Pop Culture Shrine on Facebook.

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• So what exactly is ‘the boyfriend effect’ that’s all over your TikTok page right now?

• Guys, the new ‘explosive’ season of Married at First Sight UK is starting THIS MONTH

• RAAC: The first instances of dangerous concrete have been identified at these UK universities

Feature image via Youtube and Instagram @vanessa__kirby and @will_merrick