Who Is Emma D’Arcy’s Partner and What Do We Know About Their Sexuality

Who Is Emma D’Arcy’s Partner and What Do We Know About Their Sexuality

Actor Emma D'Arcy gained widespread recognition after performing in House of the Dragon as the older version of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. The actor went on to perform in the first two seasons of the show and has already completed filming for a third. Many have been wondering who Emma D’Arcy’s partner is ever since the actor publicly admitted to being non-binary.

Emma D’Arcy at an event alone and with Thomas May Bailey
The House of the Dragon star is allegedly dating English director Thomas May Bailey. Photo: @Emma Darcy Brasi, @Frazer Harrison (modified by author)
Source: UGC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key takeaways

  • Emma D'Arcy came out as non-binary on the set of House of the Dragon.
  • The actor's preferred pronouns in interviews and on social media are they/them.
  • The actor is known for starring in House of the Dragon as Rhaenyra Targaryen, Truth Seekers as Astrid, and Wanderlust as Naomi Richards.

Emma D’Arcy's profile summary

Full name

Emma Zia D'Arcy

Birthdate

27 June 1992

Age

33 years (as of 2025)

Place of birth

London Borough of Enfield, UK

Height

5′ 7″ (1.71 m)

Father

Richard John D'Arcy

Marital status

Unmarried

Profession

Actor

Education

St. Edmund Hall, Oxford University (Fine Arts)

Instagram

@emmaziadarcy

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Who is Emma D’Arcy’s partner?

Emma D'Arcy has not publicly confirmed their relationship status. While there have been speculations online claiming the actor is dating a UK-based British director and writer called Thomas May Bailey, these should be considered unconfirmed rumors.

Nonetheless, Emma has admitted to being in a relationship in a 2022 interview with Entertainment Weekly, detailing how their partner pushed them to audition for House of The Dragons but did not mention any names. D’Arcy stated:

All I had were some hair extensions left over from a job. No way of attaching them to me, no idea how to do that. For 24 hours, my partner and I just tried — I can’t put more emphasis on that word. We hot-glued these hair extensions to these wig grips.

The actor has since then been rumored to be dating Thomas May Bailey. The two have been linked by fans who noted Bailey's X (Twitter) and Instagram activity was filled with content relating to D'Arcy.

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The two also attended the House of the Dragon premiere together. However, neither Emma nor Thomas has publicly addressed the nature of their relationship.

Emma D’Arcy at an event alone and dining with Thomas
Thomas May Bailey has been working as a theatre director for more than eight years. Photo: @Kristina Bumphrey, @Lia Toby (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Who is Thomas May Bailey?

Actor Emma D'Arcy's alleged partner, Thomas May Bailey, has been a theatre director and writer for more than eight years. According to his website, he was a resident assistant director at the Donmar Warehouse from 2019 to 2020 and took the National Theatre Studio Director's Course in 2020.

What is Thomas May Bailey known for?

His short film, The Talent (2023), was nominated for the 2023 BIFA for Best British Short.

What are Thomas May Bailey's major works?

Some of theater director Thomas Bailey's productions include Callisto: a queer epic, Romeo and Juliet, Mrs Dalloway, The Pillowman, and Rehearsing for Planet B.

Additionally, he previously worked as an assistant to British director Carrie Cracknell on Netflix's Persuasion (2022), a feature film adaptation of the Jane Austen novel.

Bailey also directed the video to Grumpy Patrick's song If You're in the Neighborhood and wrote and directed six micro-shorts for Identity Drama School's Filmcase program, supported by Netflix.

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Is Thomas May Bailey on Wikipedia?

Emma D’Arcy’s alleged partner, Thomas May Bailey, is not on Wikipedia. Instead, the website has featured a biography of another man, Bailey Thomas Cabello May, who is a Filipino-British singer and television personality.

Is Emma D'Arcy gay?

Emma D'Arcy came out as non-binary on the set of House of the Dragon, but has never confirmed to be gay. The actor said in an interview with Josh Smith:

I guess 'House of the Dragon' was the first time I had been out as a non-binary person at work, and until then, I had sort of split my personal life and my working life. I just didn't know, I guess, back in the day, that there was space for that.

While she has not publicly stated to be gay, Emma D'Arcy's pronouns (they/them) "shock" some people because of their androgynous appearance and the surprise that a gender-nonconforming person could be cast as a woman in a major role.

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Additionally, some people may be unfamiliar with non-binary identities, or they may find it jarring when a performer they perceive as female uses they/them pronouns.

Does Emma D'Arcy support the LGBTQ?

The House of the Dragon star is a member and vocal supporter of the LGBTQ community. As a non-binary actor, D'Arcy has spoken openly about the challenges of being visible in the entertainment industry and the importance of representation.

The actor has also publicly condemned vitriol against trans and gender-nonconforming people and signed an open letter in solidarity with the trans, non-binary, and intersex communities.

Emma D'Arcy and Olivia Cooke spotted together
Emma D'Arcy and Olivia Cooke met in December 2020 at a dinner hosted by the showrunners. Photo: @cinewatching, @gameoflaughs (modified by author)
Source: UGC

What is Emma D'Arcy and Olivia Cooke's relationship?

British actors Emma D'Arcy and Olivia Cooke play the adult versions of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower in the HBO series House of the Dragon. The show explores the turbulent relationship between these two characters.

D'Arcy and Cooke met in December 2020 at a dinner hosted by the showrunners after they were cast, and quickly developed a close friendship that is often highlighted by their mutual admiration for each other's unique perspectives and intelligence.

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Their chemistry has led to many memorable promotional interviews and appearances, where both actors have spoken highly of the other's mind, perspective, and sense of humor.

For instance, during a Variety interview with Emma D'Arcy and Olivia Cooke, the actors tested out how well they know each other. Here are some of the public's reactions to the interview:

@haleykimbrough629:

I didn’t understand why everyone was obsessed with the way Emma said their drink of choice, but now I get it. I have it on repeat.

@rhaenyraitargaryen6360:

Emma's voice is so perfect for Rhaenyra Targaryen.

@97Mizzo:

The way Emma describes their favourite drink is just…SO satisfying. What a beautiful voice.

@meenachen8778:

Emma's voice can calm me idk why…it’s just so good.

@franklinqueiroz2130:

I love their chaotic energy. And it's clear they're true friends.
Emma D'Arcy wearing men's fashion to celebrity events
Emma D'Arcy's parents support the actor's artistic pursuits and interests. Photo: @Jeff Spicer, @Kristina Bumphrey (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Who are Emma D'Arcy's parents?

Emma D'Arcy's parents are Richard John D'Arcy, a painter and photographer, and an unnamed mother who was an illustrator. They have supported the actor's artistic pursuits and interests since childhood, while growing up in Gloucestershire.

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What is Emma D'Arcy's nationality?

The actor is a British national born in London, but their family name "D'Arcy" has origins in both France and Ireland.

How old is Emma D'Arcy?

The House of the Dragon actor is 33 years old (as of 2025). Emma was born on June 27, 1992, in Enfield, London, England.

Why was Emma D'Arcy replaced?

The actor was replaced in two different projects for different reasons: in House of the Dragon, D'Arcy's character, Rhaenyra Targaryen, was recast with an older actor due to a time jump in the storyline. In the film Anna, Emma was replaced by Naomi Battrick due to a scheduling conflict with the show.

Nonetheless, Emma D'Arcy's House of the Dragon performance, a prequel to Game of Thrones, received critical acclaim, including a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in a Television Series Drama.

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What is Emma D'Arcy's Instagram page?

The actor's Instagram handle is @emmaziadarcy.

Fun facts about Emma D'Arcy

  • Emma initially pursued theatre-making and set design before focusing solely on acting.
  • The actor's first acting experience was playing Titania in a children's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
  • D'Arcy is known for advocating for non-binary representation in Hollywood.
  • The actor has spoken about feeling pressure to present as female earlier in their career.
  • Photos of Emma D'Arcy and Thomas May Bailey together were shared on Instagram.
  • Emma has a close friendship with House of the Dragon co-star Olivia Cooke.

Thomas May Bailey continues to receive widespread recognition as Emma D'Arcy's partner, as the media and public interest in the actor's personal life grow. However, neither of the two has ever publicly confirmed dating each other.

Briefly.co.za highlighted lesser-known facts about Freddie Simpson, a former actress known for her role as pitcher Ellen Sue Gotlander in the 1992 film, A League of Their Own.

Freddie left the limelight in the early 2000s to focus on another career. Check the article for more on what she is doing today.

Source: Briefly News

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Alice Wabwile avatar

Alice Wabwile (Lifestyle writer) Alice Wabwile is a multifaceted content creator and Project Assistant at AfDAN, boasting over four years of experience. Holding a BCom degree from the University of Nairobi School of Business, she has cultivated a dynamic skill set through roles such as her tenure at Strathmore University's Data Science Department, where she contributed significantly to research. Recognized for her exceptional talent, she clinched the Writer of the Year Award. Beyond her professional endeavours, Alice is an engaged member of the Rotaract Club of Kabete. For inquiries, reach out to her at alicenjoro01@gmail.com

Justin Williams avatar

Justin Williams (Editorial Assistant) Justin Williams joined Briefly News in 2024. He is currently the Opinion Editor and a Current Affairs Writer. He completed his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Film & Multimedia Production and English Literary Studies from the University of Cape Town in 2024. Justin is a former writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa: South African chapter. Contact Justin at justin.williams@briefly.co.za