Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to know why Imogen Poots broke up with James Norton

344 replies

ThatNimblePeer · 27/05/2025 19:52

Obviously absolutely none of my business, but I don’t think anyone in my real life knows who these people are, so I’m sharing it here in case anyone shares my mini obsession.

Imogen Poots is a gorgeous 35 year old British actress who was engaged to James Norton (I’m guessing I don’t need to explain here who he is), they broke up in the last year or so and he’s indicated in interviews that it wasn’t his choice.

She’s suggested in past interviews that she wants children (which JN has also said he does). Definitely none of my business - but honestly if you were a 35 year old woman who wants kids and you were engaged to JAMES NORTON, would you break up with him?

I know AIBU.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
15
Summersunshinebliss · 27/05/2025 21:15

I had never heard of these people before this thread. She's really beautiful and looks a lot younger than her age. I definitely wouldn't kick him out of bed we wouldn'tmakeittothebedroom

Staying for the gossip, I am now invested in Grin

ethelredonagoodday · 27/05/2025 21:15

He did a fundraiser for our local hospice in York recently, and he came across as lovely, funny and modest. He is also, to my mind, exceptionally attractive and a good actor. Think the first time I saw him was in war and peace and oh my lord, I’ve lusted after him since! 🤣🫣

no idea on the relationship!

Goalie55 · 27/05/2025 21:14

He’s quite posh isn’t he. It always surprises me how softly spoken he is in interviews.
I don’t think she’s as famous but works consistently. He was being thought of for Bond for a bit wasn’t he.

JuliaLivilla · 27/05/2025 21:14

Just my opinion which I know is not shared by anybody else in the universe, but stick a couple of large bolts in James Norton's neck and he's well on the way to looking like Frankenstein's Monster - the Boris Karloff edition.

Original poster
ThatNimblePeer · 27/05/2025 21:09

MillieMoggie · 27/05/2025 21:00

I read something a while back but can't bloody find it now that he very much wanted to settle down and have kids but she really didn't as her career was going so well and she was working a lot in the USA, whereas he is more UK based. From what I can see she is still very USA based and is working consistently out there. That said the article I read may have been entirely made up and might be total rubbish.

I met him a couple of years back and he really was lovely. We had quite a good chat as we're both from Yorkshire. But that doesn't indicate what he might be like as a partner. I guess unless either of them speaks about it on the record nobody will really know.

The Daily Mail (I know) tried to spin this line that they were conflicted over having kids, but she had definitely said in a previous interview that she wanted them.

Thanks to the poster who mentioned Reddit. I sort of had assumed that the most likely reason had to be that she had met someone else.

It’s interesting some posters are saying she’s more famous and successful than him. I’d say he’s a household name in the UK and she isn’t, but maybe she’s done some US stuff I just haven’t seen. She does apparently have a new film with Kristen Stewart that’s just coming out and seems to be getting good reviews. To me she seems like someone who was working but hadn’t quite got her big break yet, so maybe she didn’t want to settle down/have kids until she felt that had happened.

OP posts:
Noluthando · 27/05/2025 21:09

James , please can you come on here and tell us why you and Imogen split up ? Thanks

BreezyBertha · 27/05/2025 21:07

He has done a lot to raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes which he suffers from.

I liked his acting before (I enjoyed McMafia before I started watching Happy Valley) and didn’t know he was T1D, only connected after my DS was diagnosed a few years ago, (because you tend to take notice of other sufferers) and now think he’s pretty amazing to be able to manage T1D with long hours of filming. Similar with Jean Smart who’s another of my T1D heroes! Just because I know how exhausting it is and how consuming it can be.

Hopefully that hasn’t affected his relationships because he comes across as a genuinely nice guy with a lot of empathy.

I have to say that my DS has said that he didn’t want to have kids in case they get it but hopefully he will change his mind when he’s older.

WolfFoxHare · 27/05/2025 21:04

I knew her younger brother at university, he was a lovely lad. If only we’d kept in touch, I’d have asked him for you, OP.

Brooklynbridge · 27/05/2025 21:04

SpunkySquid · 27/05/2025 19:58

I’ve heard he’s not very nice 🤷🏻‍♀️

Heard from where and how does this source know.

Camdenish · 27/05/2025 21:02

Try reading this thread when the James you’re thinking of is Nesbitt-it’s quite confusing.

Tomatotater · 27/05/2025 21:02

CareerChange24 · 27/05/2025 20:54

I thought I read she didn’t want children and he did.

This was the rumour about Matt Smith and Lily James- that she didn't want kids and he did, but it turns out both of them were busy shagging other people. I thought they always looked madly in love and then they split and have both drifted in and out of other relationships ever since. Normally if men actually do want kids so badly that they end relationships over it, they find another woman to impregnate sharpish. Especially fairly well known actors. It hasn't happened in either of their cases.

MillieMoggie · 27/05/2025 21:00

I read something a while back but can't bloody find it now that he very much wanted to settle down and have kids but she really didn't as her career was going so well and she was working a lot in the USA, whereas he is more UK based. From what I can see she is still very USA based and is working consistently out there. That said the article I read may have been entirely made up and might be total rubbish.

I met him a couple of years back and he really was lovely. We had quite a good chat as we're both from Yorkshire. But that doesn't indicate what he might be like as a partner. I guess unless either of them speaks about it on the record nobody will really know.

JohnTheRevelator · 27/05/2025 21:00

Welli didn't know that they'd split up,but now I DO know,I need to know why. 😂

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 27/05/2025 20:58

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 27/05/2025 20:49

😄🥰 no of course, I'm very single and would happily take crossed legged Norton off of the singles market

Show quote history

Oi! Join the queue!

Cherrytree86 · 27/05/2025 20:57

Maybe she does want kids but not badly enough to settle with a man who she knows isn’t right for her. Kids are not the be all and end all for a lot of women after all

WakingUpTheNeighbours · 27/05/2025 20:57

ThatNimblePeer · 27/05/2025 20:48

I agree she’s gorgeous and I expect she can move on quickly if she wants to, but at 35 I’m just not sure I’d want to roll the dice if I was already in a LTR with someone handsome, intelligent, kind and successful.

Show quote history

There could have been any number of things that she wasn’t happy with in their relationship and there was obviously something if she split up with him. She shouldn’t settle just because she’s 35, or because you seem to think he’s perfect, despite not knowing him. 🤪

CareerChange24 · 27/05/2025 20:54

I thought I read she didn’t want children and he did.

SunshineAndFizz · 27/05/2025 20:52

I heard he hates dogs and chews with his mouth open.

He also only showers on a Tuesday during a full moon, and uses too many emojis when he texts people.

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 27/05/2025 20:49

ThatNimblePeer · 27/05/2025 20:37

Yeah let’s not turn this into a metrosexual-bashing thread. Some women like rugged builder types, some don’t, either is fine.

Show quote history

😄🥰 no of course, I'm very single and would happily take crossed legged Norton off of the singles market

Original poster
ThatNimblePeer · 27/05/2025 20:48

houwseevryweekend · 27/05/2025 20:26

I Googled it (I loved Imogen poots in Vivarium and the Awkward Moment, James Norton is just meh) - seems their work schedules got in the way? I mean she’s doing more Hollywood movies whereas he’s only got a presence in the UK - imagine she’ll have a much bigger pool of men to choose from.

He’s just broken up with the 26 year old he dated after her and never been married so maybe he’s just not as interested in commitment as he says he is. I know women rave about him (i find him a bit horsey personally) but she’s gorgeous too so I imagine has no dearth of men pursuing her and doesn’t need to settle.

I agree she’s gorgeous and I expect she can move on quickly if she wants to, but at 35 I’m just not sure I’d want to roll the dice if I was already in a LTR with someone handsome, intelligent, kind and successful.

OP posts:
mumofoneAlonebutokay · 27/05/2025 20:46

Tomatotater · 27/05/2025 20:46

Celebs these days. Why can't they get into public, disastrous and shortlived marriages, have group sex in a back room at Soho House and then have short, disastrous marriage to their ex wives best mates splashed all over The Sun, like in the good old days?

Edited

I know you're not being serious, but 🤭🤭🤭

Janeaustenpuzzle · 27/05/2025 20:46

I confused him with James Acaster and was surprised to see so many people saying he was a hottie (no disrespect meant to JA 😅)

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 27/05/2025 20:46

LondonPapa · 27/05/2025 20:21

Hey! Leave us cross legged, cycling, sourdough starter guys alone! There’s dozens of us, dozens!!

Show quote history

😄😄😄🥰 @LondonPapa i feel like you both listen to radio 6 and like James obrien!

Tomatotater · 27/05/2025 20:46

Celebs these days. Why can't they get into public, disastrous and shortlived marriages, have group sex in a back room at Soho House and then have short, disastrous marriage to their ex wives best mates splashed all over The Sun, like in the good old days?

SeriousFaffing · 27/05/2025 20:45

clarepetal · 27/05/2025 20:38

I know someone who is an extra in lots of programmes. He said he is very nice. Steve Coogan isn't (found that quite gutting as I am a fan).

@clarepetal That’s good to know. I’m going to consciously try to like him more. I do like his acting at least.