You probably remember him as the perpetually shirtless, cereal-eating Axl Heck. For nine seasons, Charlie McDermott played the quintessential lazy teenager on The Middle, but his real life in Los Angeles couldn’t be further from that Orson, Indiana, basement. If you’ve been following his journey since the show wrapped, you know he’s pivoted hard into indie music and experimental film. But there is one name that keeps popping up in his credits, often listed right alongside his own.
Charlie McDermott wife Sara Rejaie isn't just a spouse; she is his primary creative collaborator.
The two have been married since 2017, but they’ve managed to keep their private life remarkably shielded from the typical Hollywood tabloid cycle. No messy public breakups. No "leaked" wedding photos sold to magazines. Just a steady stream of artistic projects that suggest a partnership built on shared aesthetics and a mutual love for lo-fi storytelling.
How They Actually Met
Details on their first meeting are sparse, mostly because neither is big on the red carpet scene. We know they’ve been together for years, dating well before they tied the knot. In 2017, the same year Charlie made his TV directorial debut on The Middle, the couple married in a private ceremony.
Fans often confuse Charlie with another actor of the same name who married New Zealander Beth Allen. Let’s clear that up: our Charlie McDermott—the one from The Middle and Frozen River—is married to Sara Rejaie.
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Sara is a multi-hyphenate talent in her own right. She’s a photographer, writer, and director. Originally from the UK, she brings a specific European indie sensibility to their joint projects. Honestly, if you look at their social media or their YouTube "vlog" style videos, it’s less about "influencer life" and more about documenting the quiet, mundane moments of a creative couple living in LA.
The Art of the Collaboration
What makes the relationship between Charlie McDermott wife Sara Rejaie so unique is how much they actually work together. It’s not just a "supporting spouse" situation. They are often co-directors.
Take the 2021 music video for Charlie’s single "Park and Ride." They co-created it. It’s hazy, nostalgic, and feels like a fever dream. That’s their signature style. They also collaborated on the short film Layla (2018), where Sara took the lead as writer and director while Charlie acted.
- Rhubarb (2024): A more recent collaboration that sees them continuing their streak of independent filmmaking.
- I Was on a Sitcom: This was a massive moment for fans of The Middle. Charlie reunited with his TV sister, Eden Sher, for her live show. Sara Rejaie actually co-directed the filmed version.
- Music Videos: Most of Charlie's solo music career visuals are handled by the two of them, usually using vintage film stock or digital filters that mimic old 16mm cameras.
Charlie has openly mentioned in interviews (like his 2023 chat with Fest Mag) that Sara provides a necessary outside perspective. When he and Eden Sher were writing about their sitcom experiences, they got too into the "inside baseball" of TV sets. Sara, having never been a sitcom star, was the one who told them when a joke was too niche or when a story beat didn't make sense to a normal person. She’s the grounded half of the duo.
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Living Low-Key in a High-Profile World
It’s 2026, and the "celebrity couple" blueprint usually involves a reality show or at least a TikTok-documented home renovation. These two don't do that. They reside in Los Angeles, but they seem to exist in a bubble of their own making.
They have a dog they dote on. They make music in their home studio. They film shorts on weekends.
The fact that so many people still ask "Is Charlie McDermott married?" proves how well they’ve protected their space. They aren't hiding; they’re just not selling. For Sara, her work as a photographer often takes center stage over her status as a "celebrity wife." Her eye for composition is all over Charlie’s album art and his cinematic experiments.
Why Their Partnership Works
Most Hollywood marriages struggle under the weight of competing schedules. When you’re both working on the same project, that friction disappears. They’ve essentially built a two-person production company.
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Sara's influence shifted Charlie from "sitcom actor" to "serious indie artist." If you listen to his 2020 EP Some Things Just Fall Out of Your Hands, the visual identity of that era was heavily shaped by Sara’s photography. It’s a bit moody. It’s very intentional. It’s a far cry from the bright, multicam lighting of a Warner Bros. soundstage.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re looking to follow their work, don't look for them on TMZ. You’ll find them in the credits of niche film festivals and on Bandcamp.
- Watch the Shorts: Look for Layla and Rhubarb to see their directorial shorthand.
- Listen to the Music: Charlie’s solo music is where their collaboration is most visible today.
- Check the Credits: When Charlie appears in a new project, check the cinematography or "Special Thanks" section; Sara is almost always there.
The story of Charlie McDermott wife Sara Rejaie is a reminder that you can be famous and still have a private life. You just have to value the art more than the attention. They seem to have mastered that balance perfectly.