Aubrey Plaza is expecting her first child with actor Christopher Abbott, closing out a deeply difficult chapter in her life with news of a new one. The pregnancy was first reported in April 2026, and the couple has since made their relationship increasingly public — culminating in a red carpet debut together at the 2026 Tony Awards.
Here’s the full timeline: how the news broke, who Christopher Abbott is, how their relationship developed, and what Plaza has said about the pregnancy so far.
How the Pregnancy News Broke
The story first surfaced on April 7, 2026, when People reported — citing a source close to Plaza — that the actress was expecting her first baby with partner Christopher Abbott, due in the fall. A representative for Plaza confirmed the pregnancy to the outlet shortly after.
The source described the news as an unexpected bright spot after a hard stretch for Plaza, noting the couple felt fortunate about the pregnancy. Plaza is 41 and Abbott is 40.
Soon after the initial report, Plaza addressed the pregnancy herself in her own words, joking about it during an appearance on the SmartLess podcast.
Who Is Christopher Abbott?
Abbott is an actor best known for playing Charlie Dattolo in HBO’s “Girls,” along with film credits including “Poor Things” and “The Testament of Ann Lee.” In 2026, he earned his first Tony Award nomination for a featured role in the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman,” alongside Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf. He ultimately lost the award to Alden Ehrenreich.
How Plaza and Abbott’s Relationship Developed
Plaza and Abbott have a working history that predates their romance by several years:
- 2019–2020: The pair starred as a married couple in the indie psychological drama “Black Bear,” which Plaza also produced.
- 2023–2024: They reunited professionally for the off-Broadway revival of “Danny and the Deep Blue Sea,” which marked Plaza’s stage debut.
- 2026: The relationship went public with the pregnancy announcement, followed by their first official red carpet appearance as a couple at the Tony Awards on June 7, where Plaza showed off her baby bump.
It’s not publicly known exactly when the relationship shifted from professional to romantic, and the couple kept their partnership largely private before the pregnancy reporting brought it into public view.
The Loss of Jeff Baena
The pregnancy comes roughly a year after the death of Plaza’s husband, screenwriter and director Jeff Baena, who died by suicide in January 2025. Plaza and Baena had dated for years before marrying in a secret 2021 ceremony, and the two had quietly separated in September 2024, months before his death.
Plaza has spoken candidly about her grief since losing Baena, describing it in emotional terms during a 2025 appearance on Amy Poehler’s podcast, “Good Hang with Amy Poehler.” She also paid tribute to him at the Emmys and other public appearances by wearing tie-dye, a nod to the couple’s own wedding attire.
Baena directed Plaza in several films the two made together, including “Life After Beth,” “The Little Hours,” and “Spin Me Round.”
What Abbott Has Said Publicly
Abbott addressed the pregnancy for the first time in a May 2026 appearance on “Today,” where host Jenna Bush Hager congratulated him. He responded with a joke about his Tony nomination before acknowledging the pregnancy directly, calling it exciting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aubrey Plaza pregnant? Yes. Plaza is expecting her first child with partner Christopher Abbott, with the pregnancy first reported by People in April 2026 and confirmed by her representative.
Who is the father of Aubrey Plaza’s baby? Actor Christopher Abbott, her co-star from “Black Bear” and the off-Broadway production of “Danny and the Deep Blue Sea.”
When is Aubrey Plaza due? Reports indicate the baby is due in fall 2026.
Was Aubrey Plaza married before? Yes. She was married to screenwriter and director Jeff Baena, whom she wed in a private 2021 ceremony. The couple separated in September 2024, and Baena died by suicide in January 2025.
Is this Aubrey Plaza’s first child? Yes, this is her first pregnancy.
This article reflects reporting as of July 27, 2026, and may be updated as the couple shares further details.