If you’re scrolling through the typical Hollywood newsfeed, you’re usually bombarded with messy divorces, "leaked" paparazzi shots, or high-octane drama. Then there’s Rupert Friend and Aimee Mullins. They’re a bit of an anomaly in the industry. Most people know Rupert as the cold-blooded Peter Quinn from Homeland or the Grand Inquisitor in Obi-Wan Kenobi. Others know Aimee as the record-breaking Paralympic sprinter and the woman who walked Alexander McQueen’s runway on hand-carved wooden legs.
But together? They’re famously quiet.
Honestly, they’ve managed to pull off something almost impossible in the age of 24/7 social media: a genuinely private life that doesn’t feel like a PR stunt. People often assume that because they don’t broadcast every dinner date, there’s some "secret" story. Usually, the "secret" is just that they actually like each other.
The Wedding in a Compost Shed (Yes, Really)
Let’s talk about the wedding because it basically defines their whole vibe.
In May 2016, the world thought Rupert Friend was just another bachelor who’d had a high-profile breakup with Keira Knightley years prior. Wrong. He’d actually been with Aimee since 2013. When they decided to tie the knot, they didn't book a cathedral or a Malibu estate. They eloped.
It was raining. Heavily.
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The plan was to get married in a field, but the weather had other ideas. Instead of stressing out or rescheduling, they just moved the whole thing into a compost shed on a farm. Just the two of them, two witnesses, and a lot of mud. Rupert later told Kelly Ripa that they spent the evening playing pool in Manhattan. No red carpet, no designer sponsorships, just a "marital compost shed."
Why Aimee Mullins is Actually the Main Character
It’s easy to look at Rupert Friend’s filmography—which is massive, by the way, with upcoming 2026 projects like Dreams and the recent Jurassic World Rebirth—and think of Aimee as the "actor’s wife."
That’s a huge mistake.
Aimee Mullins is a force of nature. Born with fibular hemimelia, she had both legs amputated below the knee when she was just an infant. By the time she was at Georgetown, she wasn’t just "participating" in sports; she was competing against able-bodied Division I athletes.
She was the first person to ever use the "Cheetah" carbon-fiber blades in competition. Think about that for a second. Ninety percent of Paralympic sprinters today use technology that she essentially beta-tested.
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A Resume That Feels Like Fiction
- The Pentagon: At 17, she had a top-secret security clearance and worked as an intelligence analyst.
- The Runway: Alexander McQueen famously had her open his 1999 London show wearing prosthetic legs carved from solid ash. People in the audience didn't even realize they weren't her real legs.
- The Screen: You’ve probably seen her in Stranger Things as Terry Ives (Eleven’s mom).
Basically, when Rupert needs advice on a role—especially when he was playing a CIA operative—he’s not calling a consultant. He’s asking his wife, who actually worked at the Pentagon. He’s been quoted saying she’s "invaluable" to every project he takes on.
The 2026 Perspective: Where Are They Now?
As we move through 2026, the couple remains a steady fixture in both the New York and London creative scenes. Rupert’s career has shifted toward high-concept cinema. He’s become a bit of a muse for Wes Anderson (Asteroid City, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar), and his work in 2025’s The Phoenician Scheme showed he’s still one of the best character actors working today.
Aimee has leaned more into production and high-level advocacy. She’s been a global ambassador for L'Oréal for years, but her focus lately has been on the intersection of design and the human body.
They don't do the "influencer" thing.
You won't find them doing "Get Ready With Me" videos or selling supplements. They show up to a premiere, look incredible, and then vanish back into their private life. It's a strategy that has kept their relationship out of the tabloids for over a decade.
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The "Secret" to Their Longevity
What most people get wrong about them is the idea that they are "hiding." They aren't hiding; they’re just selective. In an industry that demands you trade your privacy for "relevance," they’ve chosen a different currency.
They share a passion for building things—literally. They famously renovated their own apartment in an old London shoe factory themselves. We're talking plumbing, flooring, the whole bit. There's a groundedness there that you don't often see in "Celeb Land."
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you’re looking to follow their work or learn more about the causes they support, here is where to look:
- Watch Aimee’s TED Talks: They are some of the most-watched in history for a reason. They aren't just about disability; they’re about the philosophy of the human body.
- Follow Rupert’s Indie Work: While Homeland made him a household name, his work in smaller films like Starred Up or his collaborations with Wes Anderson show his true range.
- Support Adaptive Sports: Both are vocal (though often behind the scenes) supporters of the Women's Sports Foundation, where Aimee served as President.
Ultimately, Rupert Friend and Aimee Mullins represent a "New Hollywood" ideal. One where you can be a world-class athlete, a top-tier actor, and an intelligence analyst, all while keeping your marriage in a "compost shed" state of mind—simple, real, and away from the cameras.
Next Steps for Readers
- Check out Aimee Mullins' National Women's Hall of Fame profile to understand the full scope of her impact on sports history.
- Stream The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar on Netflix to see Rupert Friend's recent work in a stylized, expert-level production.
- Look into the latest developments from the Women's Sports Foundation to see how the landscape of adaptive athletics has changed since Aimee first hit the track in 1996.