You probably know the name. Or at least, you know the faces associated with her. Most people, when they hear about Talulah Jane Riley Milburn, immediately jump to the "two-time wife of Elon Musk" trivia. It’s the kind of fact that sticks to a person like glue. But honestly? That’s probably the least interesting thing about her.
She’s a woman who went from playing the socially awkward Mary Bennet in Pride & Prejudice to portraying the high-fashion icon Vivienne Westwood. She’s written dystopian novels that make you question the fabric of society. She’s even directed her own feature films. Now, in 2026, as she navigates life married to Love Actually star Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Talulah Riley—as she’s known professionally—is proving that her narrative was never actually defined by the billionaires she shared a dinner table with.
The St. Trinian’s Era and Breaking Out
Talulah didn't just stumble into acting. She was the quintessential "academic girl" at Haberdashers' Aske's who suddenly decided she couldn't face her A-levels. It’s a relatable kind of panic. To avoid the pressure, she threw herself into the deep end of the film industry.
Her early career was a whirlwind of British cult classics. If you grew up in the UK in the mid-2000s, she was the face of St. Trinian's. Playing Annabelle Fritton, she became a symbol of that specific brand of chaotic, rebellious British girlhood. It wasn't Shakespeare, but it was huge.
A Shift to the Strange
Then came the Hollywood pivot. Christopher Nolan cast her in Inception. She wasn't the lead, but her role as the "blonde disguise" used by Tom Hardy’s character became one of those "wait, I know her" moments for global audiences. She followed this up with:
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- Westworld: As Angela, the host who greets guests with a chillingly perfect smile.
- Pistol: A transformative turn as Vivienne Westwood, which arguably showed more grit than anything she’d done previously.
- Thor: The Dark World: A brief but notable appearance in the MCU.
What People Get Wrong About the "Musk Years"
We have to talk about it because everyone else does. Talulah married Elon Musk in 2010, divorced in 2012, remarried him in 2013, and divorced again in 2016. It sounds like a soap opera. People look at that and see drama, but if you listen to her interviews, it sounds more like a deep, complicated friendship that just didn't work as a legal contract.
She essentially stepped away from the spotlight for years to be a stepmother to Musk’s five children. That’s a massive sacrifice for a rising star. While the world saw a "trophy wife" archetype, she was actually studying Physics and Natural Sciences through the Open University. She’s always been more interested in the "why" of the universe than the "who" of the red carpet.
The Real Talulah
There’s a nuance here that gets lost. She didn't leave the marriage with a bitter exposé. In fact, she appeared in the BBC documentary The Elon Musk Show to defend him against claims of being "cold." It’s rare to see that kind of grace in a high-profile split. It suggests a woman who is incredibly secure in her own skin, someone who doesn't need to tear others down to build her own brand.
Writing, Directing, and the Creative Pivot
Acting wasn't enough. It rarely is for someone with a restless mind. Talulah moved into writing and directing with Scottish Mussel in 2015. Was it a critical masterpiece? Not exactly. But it was hers. She wrote the screenplay based on an idea from her father, Doug Milburn, and stepped into the director's chair when they couldn't find anyone else.
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Then came the books. Acts of Love (2016) was a romantic debut, but her 2022 novel The Quickening is where things got weird in the best way. It’s a feminist dystopian story about a world where women are in charge and men’s freedoms are limited. It’s provocative. It’s smart. It shows a side of Talulah Jane Riley Milburn that the paparazzi never quite captured—a thinker who isn't afraid to be controversial.
Life with Thomas Brodie-Sangster in 2026
Fast forward to today. The "Musk Era" is a distant memory. In June 2024, Talulah married Thomas Brodie-Sangster in a quiet, romantic ceremony in Hertfordshire. Seeing the two of them together feels... right. They met on the set of Pistol, where they played a couple, and the chemistry clearly jumped off the screen.
It’s a different kind of life now. Less "Silicon Valley tech-bro chaos" and more "British acting royalty." They’ve become a staple of the London creative scene. Thomas, who many still remember as the kid from Love Actually, is now a seasoned actor, and together they seem to prioritize privacy over pageantry.
Why She Still Matters
Talulah Riley represents a very specific type of modern celebrity. She’s the polymath. She’s the person who can discuss the intricacies of quantum physics in the morning and film a high-budget sci-fi series in the afternoon.
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- Versatility: She doesn't stick to one lane.
- Intellect: Her pursuit of a degree mid-career is genuinely impressive.
- Resilience: Surviving the scrutiny of two high-profile divorces without losing her identity.
Moving Beyond the Headlines
If you want to understand the real Talulah Jane Riley Milburn, stop looking at her dating history. Start looking at her bibliography. Watch her performance in Pistol. Read her thoughts on the Open University and the importance of accessible education.
She’s a reminder that we are allowed to have multiple acts in our lives. You can be the schoolgirl, the ingenue, the billionaire's wife, the physicist, the writer, and the director—all without losing the core of who you are.
To keep up with her latest work, look for her upcoming independent film projects and check out her novels. They offer a much clearer window into her mind than any tabloid headline ever could. Focus on her creative output, as that is where she is truly speaking for herself.