Emilia Fox, the renowned actress best known for her long-standing role as Dr. Nikki Alexander on the beloved BBC crime drama Silent Witness, is not just captivating audiences with her talent but sharing elements of her personal and professional life with fans. With appearances on the show spanning over two decades, Fox has established herself as both a familiar face and voice for viewers, particularly as the series prepares to wrap up its 28th season with thrilling finale episodes.
The 50-year-old actress has opened up about her rich family background, noting her family's deep-rooted connections to the acting world. Her father, Edward Fox, starred famously in The Day of the Jackal, and her mother, Joanna David, is known for her roles across various classic productions. Interestingly, Emilia has expressed hesitance about her daughter's, Rose, future choices. She recalls being asked if acting runs in her blood and has always downplayed it, likening it to the way one might gravitate to the family profession, such as being surrounded by doctors. She stated, "I've been asked all my life, 'Do you think it's in your blood?' and I was always like, 'No no no, it's like having a family of doctors, you get used to the language...and sort of know it so you gravitate toward it.'"
Despite this, she recently acknowledged the prevalence of actors within her own family, reflecting on this realization after participating in Who Do You Think You Are? Emilia revealed, "Then I did the show and saw there's a lot of actor family members...so I thought maybe there is something to it being in the blood." Nonetheless, she emphasized her desire for Rose to carve her own path away from acting, as she shared, "So far she has said she wants nothing to do with acting because of having to get up too early. But I think the most important thing is to give her the opportunity and keep the horizons as wide open as possible."
Emilia's personal life has also seen its share of ups and downs. She was previously married to fellow actor Jared Harris from 2005 to 2010. Highlighting the struggles they faced, especially with career demands pulling them apart, Emilia explained, "It's very difficult to maintain a relationship when you're living apart from each other and you've both got careers...I was doing Silent Witness...and Jared's career was flourishing in America." They faced additional challenges when Emilia experienced a miscarriage, which, she admitted, left deep emotional scars on their relationship. "I think it was my fault...I didn't explore the emotional side. I thought it was like a horrible illness...I was working and I concentrated all my focus on [that]."
After her marriage to Jared, Emilia began dating filmmaker and peace activist Jeremy Gilley, the father of her daughter Rose. While they enjoyed their time together, they eventually separated, leading Emilia to reflect on the importance of maintaining independence. "I want to get it right, whether I’m on my own or if we were together," she shared with MailOnline. "You both form...a very, very strong independent close bond with your child and that's the tie."
These days, Fox is happily settled with TV producer Jonathan Stadlen, with whom she's been linked romantically since 2021. The couple seems to be thriving, finding rhythm between their professional lives and personal connection. Emilia described their relationship as feeling married, saying, "We very much feel like we are married, but we're not actually married. We choose to marry each other every day." This sentiment captures the essence of their commitment to one another, where the regular expressions of love serve the same symbolic function as traditional marriage vows. "Just saying we love each other each day has been enough for us...It has felt very romantic because there's a choice every day to go, 'Yes, I really want to marry you today.'"
When not on television or engaged with family, Emilia Fox enjoys sharing snippets of her life with her followers on Instagram, showcasing not just her style but also the aesthetics of her home. Recently, she provided glimpses of her chic London home, which reflects her sense of style and comfort. Fans were delighted to see the cozy living spaces adorned with colorful prints and thoughtful décor, adding character and warmth to her peaceful domestic life.
Emilia's home also houses her love for gardening, something she passionately discussed back in 2014. Her garden, which she created from scratch, reflects her dream of having a romantic English country cottage garden. "I've always found cottage gardens very romantic...When I first moved in, the garden was full of rocks and stones but it had...a lovely, huge bay tree," she reminisced. This connection with nature seems to parallel her work on Silent Witness, where she, like her character, So Sierra's calming presence offers comfort under stressful circumstances.
While her TV career and acting legacy continue to flourish, Emilia Fox balances her vibrant family life and career effortlessly. Whether sailing on the Thames with Jonathan and Rose or discussing her daughter's future, Emilia remains committed to nurturing her relationships and embracing each moment with positivity. Her life, rich with both personal experiences and professional triumphs, undoubtedly makes Emilia Fox one of the most admired figures on British television today.