Daisy Ridley and Tom Bateman: Real-Life Romance and the ‘Reylo’ Connection

If you’ve recently tuned into The Love Hypothesis on Prime Video, you were likely captivated by the brooding charm of the male lead, Tom Bateman. While his on-screen chemistry is undeniable, the real-life story behind the actor—and his marriage to Star Wars icon Daisy Ridley—is even more fascinating.

Who is Tom Bateman?

Before becoming the academic heartthrob of the screen, Tom Bateman built an impressive resume. The 37-year-old actor first captured audiences’ attention in the BBC series Da Vinci’s Demons. His talent soon led him to major cinematic roles, including the prestigious 2017 film Murder on the Orient Express.

Beyond his lead roles, Bateman has showcased his versatility in several high-profile projects, such as:

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• Death on the Nile
• Cold Pursuit
• Based on a True Story (Peacock series)
• Hedda

A Cinematic Love Story: Tom and Daisy

Fate stepped in during the filming of Murder on the Orient Express in 2017, where Tom met Daisy Ridley. The sparks flew instantly, and the two began a private relationship that stayed away from the paparazzi’s lens for years. While rumors of a secret wedding began circulating in 2020, the couple finally confirmed their marriage in early 2023.

Daisy Ridley, of course, became a global household name as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Since then, she has continued to evolve as an actress in films like Chaos Walking, The Marsh King’s Daughter, and the upcoming Ebenezer.

The ‘Reylo’ Controversy: Fan-Fiction Turned Movie

One of the most intriguing talking points surrounding The Love Hypothesis is its alleged origin. For those in the know, the original novel by Ali Hazelwood is widely believed to have started as “Reylo” fan-fiction—stories written by fans imagining a romance between Daisy Ridley’s character (Rey) and Kylo Ren.

In a candid interview with Elle, co-star Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman addressed these rumors. Lili insisted that the couple was completely unaware of the book’s inspiration: “If you knew both of them as I do—they did not know, I can tell you that with 100-percent certainty,” she stated.

Tom echoed this sentiment, admitting he only found out about the connection when the casting for the movie happened. “I remember the moment the casting broke because I mentioned it to Daisy… I can see now, looking back, where the inspiration comes from. But no, I didn’t know,” Tom explained.

What is ‘The Love Hypothesis’?

Based on the New York Times best-selling novel, the movie follows Olive (played by Lili Reinhart), a Ph.D. candidate who finds herself in a fake relationship with the intimidating Professor Adam Carlsen (Tom Bateman). What starts as a strategic arrangement to protect a friendship soon turns into a complex emotional journey where the lines between performance and reality blur.

The movie also features a stellar supporting cast:

• Rachel Marsh as Ahn
• Nicholas Duvernay as Jeremy
• Jaboukie Young-White
• Arty Froushan

Whether you are a fan of Daisy Ridley’s galactic adventures or the academic tension of The Love Hypothesis, one thing is clear: Tom Bateman and Daisy Ridley are one of Hollywood’s most talented and low-profile power couples.