Is Tobias Menzies Gay? His On-Screen Character's Sexuality Was Undefined & He Has Publicly Only Dated a Woman
Tobias Menzies' gay portrayal in "Outlander" raised the public's curiosity about his sexual orientation. His on-screen character was depicted as complex and villainous, with no explicit on-screen same-sex relationships.
In the drama series "Outlander," Tobias Menzies portrayed Jonathan "Black Jack" Randall. Black Jack develops an unhealthy obsession with Jamie Fraser, played by Sam Heughan, as Fraser embodies qualities he lacks.
Unfortunately, this obsession leads to Jack inflicting severe punishment and mistreatment on Jamie, including flogging and brutal rape. In an interview, when asked about his character's sexuality, Menzies stated that Jonathan "Black Jack" Randall would not identify as gay.
Tobias Menzies at Dolby Theater on March 12, 2015, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
He further explained that Jack's obsession with Fraser was not a love story but an exploration of his sadistic tendencies. Despite playing a seemingly gay character on-screen, Menzies' last known relationship was with a woman.
Tobias Menzies' Dating History: His Last Known Relationship Was with Kristin Scott Thomas
While Menzies has kept his dating life under wraps, he reportedly dated British-French actress Kristin Scott Thomas who was 13 years his senior. It's unclear when the two began dating, but according to reports, Menzies and Thomas met when the actress was still married to François Olivennes.
The two reportedly went out publicly after Thomas' marriage ended. They were photographed spending quality time together in London, including going to the cinema and having a romantic dinner at an Italian restaurant before returning to Thomas' apartment.
Tobias Menzies at SiriusXM Studios on May 23, 2023, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
The following day, Tobias Menzies was seen leaving Thomas's apartment with the same outfits he had the previous day. Various publications speculated that their relationship played a role in Thomas' decision to end her 18-year marriage to Olivennes.
He temporarily lived in Helena Bonham Carter's apartment before the lockdown while his residence was being renovated.
Thomas was born on May 24, 1960. She is an actress best known for her notable performance in several projects, including the 2001 comedy-drama film, "Gosford Park," the 1996 romance film, "The English Patient," and the 2013 crime film, "Only God Forgives."
Tobias Menzies at Television Centre on June 06, 2021, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
While Thomas now keeps her love life private, in 2020, The Sun reported that the actress was dating Arpad Busson, a French financier. The two started their relationship in 2014.
Who Is Tobias Menzies' Partner? The Actor Keeps His Love Life Private
Since Tobias Menzies' dating scandal with Thomas, the actor has been tight-lipped about his love life. Even so, "The Crown" actor who played alongside Olivia Colman opened up about his desire to start a family but noted that he hadn't "found a situation yet where it seems right or possible."
Tobias Menzies at The Royal Festival Hall on October 12, 2021, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The British actor, whose marital status remains unclear, expressed that he has grown more melancholic with age and finds life challenging. Despite achieving significant milestones in his acting career, he shared feeling a sense of sadness.
Menzies also revealed that he temporarily lived in Helena Bonham Carter's apartment before the lockdown while his residence was being renovated. However, it remains uncertain whether the actor currently shares his living space with anyone, as he mentioned that his only companion at home is his cat named Bernie.