You’ve seen the TikTok edits. The ones where the camera slows down just as Damian Hardung whispers something into Harriet Herbig-Matten’s ear on a red carpet in Berlin. It looks real. The chemistry is so thick you could basically cut it with a knife, and naturally, the internet has decided they must be head-over-heels in love.
But if you’re looking for the name of a Harriet Herbig Matten boyfriend, you might be waiting a long time.
The truth is a lot more complicated than a simple "yes" or "no." It involves intense method acting, some slightly awkward PR pressure, and a 22-year-old actress who is surprisingly firm about where her work ends and her private life begins. Honestly, it’s kinda refreshing to see a Gen Z star hold her ground like this.
The Damian Hardung Rumors: What’s Actually Happening?
Most of the noise around a potential boyfriend starts and ends with Damian Hardung, her Maxton Hall co-star. They play James and Ruby, the classic "rich boy meets scholarship girl" trope that has taken Prime Video by storm.
People want them to be together. Badly.
When the first season dropped in 2024, the "shipping" was intense. By the time the second season premiered in late 2025, it had reached a fever pitch. Fans pointed to Harriet wearing Damian's grey hoodie in an interview—calling it a "boyfriend hoodie"—as definitive proof. Then there was the Berlin premiere for Season 2 where they were spotted holding hands and looking, well, very cozy.
Harriet’s Blunt Reality Check
Here’s the thing: Harriet has actually addressed this. Straight up. In a podcast appearance and subsequent interviews during the Season 2 promo run, she didn't mince words.
"We are not together," she said. She even added that they "weren't together either" in the past.
She’s been very open about how the fan pressure actually felt like a heavy burden. Imagine being 21 or 22 and having millions of people essentially demanding you date your coworker because you’re good at your job. She mentioned in an interview with G Spot that she felt a weird pressure to "please" fans by leaning into the rumors, but she eventually realized it was making her question her own reality.
🔗 Read more: Bianca Censori Grammys 2025: What Really Happened on the Red Carpet
The "Method" Behind the Chemistry
If they aren't dating, why do they look so in love? It turns out it's just really, really good acting.
Damian and Harriet have a specific process. If they are filming a scene where Ruby and James are fighting, they won’t talk to each other the night before. They create real distance to make the tension on screen feel authentic.
Conversely, for the intimate scenes—like the big moments in Season 2—they would go out to dinner or spend time together specifically to build "softness" and comfort. It wasn't a date. It was a rehearsal for intimacy.
Damian recently told the Zach Sang Show that on set, one of them is usually crying while the other is miserable, so their real-life friendship is a relief compared to the drama of Maxton Hall. They’re close friends who trust each other, which is exactly why the romance looks so believable.
Is There Someone Else?
Outside of the Damian theories, Harriet’s romantic life is basically a locked vault.
She doesn’t post "soft launches" on Instagram. There are no blurry photos of her at dinner with a mystery man. In the world of 2026 celebrity culture, where everyone’s business is on Display, she’s managed to keep her private life genuinely private.
- Social Media: Her Instagram is almost exclusively work-focused—shoots for Longchamp, Maxton Hall stills, and high-fashion editorials.
- Public Appearances: She attends events alone or with castmates.
- Interviews: She steers the conversation toward her craft and the "detox" she needs after playing a character as intense as Ruby Bell.
There’s no evidence of a secret Harriet Herbig Matten boyfriend hiding in the wings. For now, she appears to be single and entirely focused on her skyrocketing career.
Why the Fans Won't Let It Go
We love a good "costars to lovers" story. It’s the Tom Holland and Zendaya effect. We want the fiction to be real because it makes the show feel more meaningful.
📖 Related: Teresa Cheung Siu-wai: Why the "Most Hated Woman in Hong Kong" is Now China’s Favorite Icon
But Harriet has pointed out that this can be toxic. She’s spoken about how she felt "subordinate" to the character of James Beaufort at times, and how important it was for her to find her own identity outside of being "James's girl" or "Damian's girlfriend."
She’s a serious actress who studied at a Waldorf school and has been working since she was a kid. She isn't just a face in a teen drama; she's a professional.
What to Watch for Next
With Maxton Hall Season 3 already confirmed and likely to film soon, the rumors aren't going anywhere. But if you want the real story, look at Harriet’s upcoming independent projects. She’s moving into roles that move away from the "Ruby" archetype.
The Actionable Takeaway:
If you’re a fan, the best way to support Harriet isn't by hunting for a secret boyfriend—it's by respecting the boundary she’s clearly drawn.
- Watch the Interviews: If you want to see her "real" personality, check out her solo interviews where she talks about the German film industry.
- Separate Art from Life: Enjoy the Ruby and James chemistry, but remember that Harriet and Damian are colleagues who are very good at their jobs.
- Follow Her Career, Not Her DMs: She’s expressed that the parasocial hate and intense shipping can be draining. Focus on her upcoming film roles instead.
Harriet is building a long-term career. She’s making it clear that she doesn't need a high-profile relationship to stay relevant. That’s a boss move.