logo

'Dead to Me' Cast: Real-Life Partners

Bettina Dizon
Mar 11, 2021
04:47 A.M.

We know so many details about "Dead to Me," but do we know as much about its cast members and their real-life partners? Let's take a closer look at their lives behind the cameras.

Advertisement

How did Linda Cardellini’s baby daughter reveal her mother’s engagement? Which plotlines in ‘Dead to Me’ were inspired by Christina Applegate's real-life events? In this article, you'll find out all the details!

Linda Cardellini as Judy

Since her big breakthrough on "Freaks and Geeks," Linda Cardellini has done very well both on the big and small screen.

Her most recent notable roles before “Dead To Me” were Sylvia in ‘Mad Men,’ Meg Rayburn in ‘Bloodline,’ and Hawkeye's wife Laura in two of the MCU Avengers movies.

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

Cardellini insists that whatever she does, she wants it to be different from anything she has done before. So the chance of playing the role of Judy Hale was exciting and daunting at the same time.

The actress has never been married, but she is engaged to her long-time partner Steven Rodriguez, whom she first met when she was just 10 years old!

Steven was the new kid at her school, and young Linda was impressed by the bike tricks he could do. They’d been friends for years, but it wasn’t until around 2010 when the two realized they were destined to be together.

Advertisement

My daughter Lilah Rose wants everyone to know that her mommy and daddy are getting married... pic.twitter.com/Xf1nCoSPGt

— Linda Cardellini (@lindacardellini) June 7, 2013

In less than two years, they welcomed a daughter, Lilah-Rose, and in June 2013, Linda tweeted a photo of her little one wearing her engagement ring.

Despite having social media accounts, Linda Cardellini’s posts are mostly work-related, so we can only get a glimpse of her private life.

Brandon Scott as Nick

Thirteen reasons long, Brandon Scott played Coach Kerba in another Netflix show – "13 Reasons Why." He also appeared in seasons 5 and 6 of "Grey's Anatomy" as Dr. Ryan Spalding.

Brandon also has a recurring role as Mr. Lawrence in "This Is Us" and landed a few guest appearances in "Dead To Me."

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

Advertisement

Brandon is married to Jenn Liu, who is also an actress. And although Jenn doesn’t have an extensive list of acting credits, you might have spotted her in a one-off role in the series "The Mentalist."

She is also a co-author of an autobiographical comedy web series "SK & J." Brandon and Jenn don’t have children yet, but the couple enjoys traveling and spending lots of time with their friends and families.

James Marsden as Steve

No matter how cunning and manipulative Steve is supposed to be, James Marsden does a great job layering his "unsavory" character with "some humanity and charm."

Being in the industry for more than twenty years, James has a broad résumé. He has starred in superhero franchises, family blockbusters, love stories, thrillers, and even satire.

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

Marsden got quite busy with his other projects recently as well, including working on the "Sonic the Hedgehog" film and the miniseries "Mrs. America."

Advertisement

He was previously married to the actress Lisa Linde. They started dating when they were in their early 20s and had two children together – a son Jack, who is 19 already, and a daughter Mary, who is 14.

The couple split after more than a decade of marriage, but they agreed to raise their children together and remain close friends.

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

Marsden also has a son William Luca with a Brazilian model Rose Costa, whom he briefly dated in 2012. And currently, James is dating a British musician Edei. The couple first met in the middle of 2015, and they’ve been together ever since.

Her real name is Emma Deigman, and she started her career as a supporting artist to the pop group Girls Aloud. Soon after, she switched to the stage name Edei, comprised of the E from her first name and the DEI from her surname.

Natalie Morales as Michelle

The newest addition to the show joined the cast of "Dead To Me" in the second season; Natalie plays a character who is described as "wry and down to earth." She also has a "relaxed charm and infectious wit," which allows her to “form a connection with Judy.”

Advertisement

Natalie Morales has made numerous appearances on different shows, including "Abby’s," "The Grinder," and "Santa Clarita Diet." But her most well-known role was Lucy in "Parks and Recreation."

Three years ago, Natalie announced on Twitter that she identifies as lesbian and described the process of gradually coming to embrace her identity in her 20s after moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

Natalie Morales revealed that she’s been in relationships “with all sorts of beautiful, amazing, inspiring human beings” because, above all, she is attracted to people regardless of their gender.

Christina Applegate as Jen

Christina Applegate first appeared on TV when she was only 3 months old! She made her TV debut on "Days of Our Lives" in the arms of her mother, singer, and actress Nancy Priddy.

And now, more than four decades later, Christina has an impressive career both in film, TV and on Broadway. She is most recognized by fans for playing Kelly Bundy on "Married … With Children" and her role as Veronica in the two "Anchorman" movies.

Advertisement

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

But now, she is known for her self-assured, hilarious characters. And most of whom are notably strong women – just like Jen, her character on "Dead To Me."

The actress revealed that for the past six years, she has been “the most frustrating client” to her agents and managers.

The fact is that she didn’t want to be the lead in a TV series but only wanted smaller roles so she could work "two to three days a week."

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

The reason for this is, being a devoted mother, Christina wanted to spend more time with her daughter. But when the script for “Dead to Me” came along, Applegate changed her mind.

The veteran actress considered it thrilling to play in this dark comedy series, as it would give her an opportunity to show all the facets of her talent.

Moreover, the showrunners agreed to incorporate Christina Applegate’s real-life struggle with breast cancer into the show.

Through this, the actress hoped to send an important message to viewers, raising awareness about the problem and connecting with other cancer survivors. The actress got her diagnosis in 2008 and had to have a double mastectomy.

Advertisement

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

Despite this painful experience, it was also at this time that Christina met the Dutch musician Martyn LeNoble. The couple welcomed their daughter, Sadie, in 2011 and got married two years later.

Who is your favorite character on "Dead to Me," and why? Please share your thoughts with us in the comment section.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Christina Applegate’s Husband Made Her Feel ‘Beautiful’ about Her New Body & Helped Her Fight Cancer and MS

January 18, 2024

Christina Applegate, 52, Made Iconic Emmy Appearance Accompanied by Her Rarely-Seen Lookalike Daughter

January 17, 2024

Christina Applegate Makes a Public Appearance Assisted by a Cane at the Emmys 2024 amid MS Battle

January 15, 2024

What Happened to 'Superman' Actor Christopher Reeve's 3 Children None of Whom Followed in His Footsteps

March 04, 2024

My Wife Told Me That Our 3-Year-Old Son Was Buried - A Day Later I Found Out the Horrible Truth

March 05, 2024

My Wife Told Me That Our 3-Year-Old Son Was Buried - A Day Later I Found Out the Horrible Truth

February 09, 2024

My Wife Told Me That Our 3-Year-Old Son Was Buried - A Day Later I Found Out the Horrible Truth

January 19, 2024

This Horse Trainer Is a Child Star’s Spouse: He Took Care of Her for 25 Years, despite Being Unable to Eat & Speak

February 11, 2024

I Found out My Wife Was Leading a Double Life after I Saw Her Payment Statement – Story of the Day

February 13, 2024

Marie Osmond Shows Her Grown Up Son on His 27th Birthday: ‘So Handsome’

November 27, 2023

‘Pretty Little Liars’ Star Ashley Benson Ties the Knot with Oil Heir after Less than a Year of Dating

November 08, 2023

I Came Back from the Army to Find out That My Wife Was Now Married to My Own Brother – Story of the Day

February 26, 2024

Bouncer Blocks Old Lady at Rock Concert until Lead Singer Comes out for Her — Story of the Day

February 06, 2024

Mom Sees Long-Awaited Newborn Only for a Minute, Meets Him Again 9 Years Later – Story of the Day

February 25, 2024