Early Relationships and Marriage to Anne-Marie Duff

Before rising to international fame, McAvoy was in a long-term relationship with Emma Neilson, also known by some accounts as Emma King. The couple dated for approximately six years before ending their relationship in 2003. Around that time, McAvoy began a relationship with actress Anne-Marie Duff, whom he met while working on the UK television series Shameless.

James and Anne-Marie kept their relationship private in its early stages. In 2006, they married in a low-key ceremony. The marriage was not publicly acknowledged until James mentioned in an interview that he had already married "his dream girl." The couple has one son together, although James has chosen to keep details about his child, such as the birthdate and pregnancy, private—reflecting his general reluctance to share personal information with the media.

Privacy and Public Rumors

Known for his reserved nature off-camera, McAvoy has frequently opted to maintain privacy about his personal life. This understandably fueled media speculation over the years. For example, in 2009, rumors of marital strain emerged after McAvoy stated he did not intend to work with Anne-Marie in film projects to avoid potential stress on their relationship, aiming to protect it from tabloid gossip.

Further speculation surfaced in 2013 when McAvoy appeared alone at a public function. However, neither he nor Anne-Marie addressed these rumors publicly. Despite media attention, no concrete evidence emerged to suggest serious marital issues at that time.

The Angelina Jolie Rumors

There were unconfirmed reports regarding tension in James and Anne-Marie’s marriage following his collaboration with actress Angelina Jolie in the 2008 film Wanted. Some rumors claimed that Anne was displeased with certain scenes in the film and that McAvoy took a break from acting the following year to focus on family life. While McAvoy never offered specific reasons for his brief hiatus, several sources close to him claim that he took time off to strengthen his relationship with Anne-Marie.

Media Speculation and Divorce

Although both James and Anne-Marie generally refrained from discussing their private lives, in May 2016 they jointly announced their amicable separation and intent to divorce after ten years of marriage. They emphasized their desire to keep the process private and respectful, especially for the sake of their child. Contrary to earlier media speculation, there were no confirmed incidents of infidelity or misconduct from either party, and their co-parenting relationship has remained respectful and cooperative.