Quick Read
- Siobhan Finneran, known for Happy Valley, maintains a private relationship with actor Don Gilet.
- The couple met during filming of ITV’s The Loch and have chosen to live in separate cities.
- Finneran and Gilet keep their personal life out of the spotlight, focusing on their careers.
Siobhan Finneran has always been one of those rare performers whose talent speaks louder than any tabloid headline. Her career, marked by roles in acclaimed series like Happy Valley, Downton Abbey, and The Loch, has established her as a fixture on British television. But if you ask her about the glitz and glamour, she’ll likely brush it off with a self-deprecating laugh. For Finneran, authenticity has always mattered more than celebrity.
Recently, fans received a rare glimpse into her personal life—one that’s typically kept behind closed doors. Finneran, now 59, has been candid about her relationship with fellow actor Don Gilet, star of Death in Paradise. The two met while filming ITV’s crime drama The Loch, where Finneran played DCI Lauren Quigley and Gilet took on the role of forensic psychologist Blake Albrighton. That professional spark quietly evolved into something deeper in 2018, though both actors have chosen to maintain separate homes: Finneran in Saddleworth, and Gilet in north London.
It’s an arrangement that, to outsiders, might seem unconventional. Yet, for the couple, it’s simply what works. With Gilet spending up to seven months a year abroad filming in Guadeloupe, the physical distance is hardly a hurdle. Finneran described their dynamic as “hopeless”—a nod to their self-effacing, down-to-earth approach to life. “We are both off the telly. Other than that we’re pretty normal. Hopeless,” she told The Mirror and Devon Live, with a wry smile. In a world obsessed with celebrity couples, their decision to keep things private and practical is refreshingly honest.
Hints about their romance first surfaced when Finneran affectionately referred to Gilet as “my fella” in an interview with The Guardian. Before going public, the pair had occasionally been spotted together at industry events, hand-in-hand, letting actions speak louder than words. In the years since, they’ve kept their relationship mostly out of the spotlight—no social media declarations, no dramatic interviews, just two actors navigating busy careers and meaningful companionship.
While Gilet is set to return to screens as DI Mervin Wilson in the Death in Paradise Christmas Special, Finneran has continued her steady work in both drama and comedy. Her resume reads like a tour of British television, from gritty crime series to period pieces and even the odd thriller. Her work in Happy Valley remains a standout, with critics praising her for bringing depth and realism to every scene.
Finneran’s approach to her craft—and her private life—reflects a broader trend among British actors who value substance over style. She’s never chased the limelight, instead focusing on roles that challenge her and stories that matter. Even as streaming platforms push British dramas like Insomnia into global consciousness, Finneran’s name is often associated with thoughtful performances that leave a lasting impression.
For fans hoping for more personal revelations, Finneran keeps expectations in check. She’s content to let the work speak for itself and lets her relationship thrive quietly, away from the public eye. It’s a balancing act, one that’s become increasingly rare in an era of oversharing. As she puts it, the best parts of life aren’t always meant for the camera.
In a recent interview, Finneran reflected on the challenges and joys of her chosen path. “Other than the fact that we’re both on TV, we’re pretty normal. Hopeless,” she repeated, with a laugh that said everything. It’s that understated charm—both on and off screen—that keeps audiences coming back, season after season.
As Gilet returns for the Christmas special, joining guest stars like Josie Lawrence, Kate Ashfield, Pearl Mackie, and James Baxter, Finneran continues to prove that a life well-lived doesn’t need to be broadcast. Her story, like her performances, is quietly compelling—proof that, sometimes, the strongest connections are the ones nurtured away from the spotlight.
In reviewing Siobhan Finneran’s journey, one thing stands out: her deliberate choice to keep both her personal relationships and professional ambitions grounded in reality. This blend of humility and commitment offers a compelling counterpoint to the modern cult of celebrity, suggesting that genuine fulfillment is often found in authenticity, not attention.
Sources: The Mirror, Devon Live