Meet Charlie Hunnam's longtime partner who shuns the spotlight amid new Netflix show


As Charlie Hunnam stars in Netflix's Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, HELLO! takes a closer look at his romantic relationship with girlfriend Morgana McNelis


Charlie Hunnam wearing a dark suit standing in front of a Lizzie Borden sign© Getty Images
HELLO!
Jenni McKnightUS Lifestyle Editor
Updated: 5 days ago

Charlie Hunnam is back on our TV screens in Netflix's Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, the fourth season of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's hit anthology series, a year after he brought serial killer Ed Gein to life.

The actor plays Lizzie's father, Andrew, who "has been bitter and unkind since the death of Lizzie's mother. He now works as an undertaker and prides himself on a diabolically sharpened collection of axes."

While Charlie has taken on a supporting role to Ella Beatty's Lizzie Borden, his partner of nearly two decades, Morgana McNelis, supports him at home.

The couple, who have mostly kept their relationship private, have occasionally appeared together on red carpets, and Charlie has shared glimpses into their relationship from time to time. 

WATCH: The trailer for Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story

In January, he referred to Morgana as his "wife," but he has never confirmed whether they have tied the knot.

HELLO! takes a closer look at who Morgana is – and how she’s supported her famous partner throughout the years.

Morgana McNelis in black dress and Charlie Hunnam in navy suit at  the Netflix's "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" New York Premiere at The Plaza Hotel © Getty Images

Morgana is the creative director at Maison de Morgana.

Morgana is a jewelry designer

Morgana is the creative director of the jewelry brand Maison de Morgana. The line boasts everything from rings and bracelets to earrings and necklaces crafted from brass and white bronze. As per the site, Maison de Morgana is described as "eclectic jewelry designed and inspired for daydreamers & make-believers".

"She told me she was making me a diamond encrusted ring – she's a jewelry designer, not an actor – and I was like 'Uh-oh. This is not going to go well for me,' " Charlie told ELLE in 2012. "But I love it. It's so discrete and beautiful."

Morgana McNelis in gold dress and Charlie Hunnam in navy suit at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater © Getty Images

Morgana keep out of the spotlight

She values privacy

The couple kept the relationship private for almost a decade before they went public with their romance. Charlie previously spoke out on Facebook to defend his girlfriend from the negativity she was receiving online at the time. "It has been brought to my attention that there is a group of immature girls posting a large number of hard messages aimed at my long time girlfriend," he penned. 

"I would respectfully ask you to stop doing this. She is an intelligent, beautiful, kind person who just tried to live a simple life and has nothing to do with the entertainment industry."

Charlie Hunnam in black suit and Morgana in gold dress at the 2nd annual Critic's Choice Television Awards sponsored by Metromint water at The Beverly Hilton Hotel © Getty Images

Charlie and Morgana prefer a quieter way of life

Ranch living

In 2013, the couple purchased a ranch in California – a quaint farm that has become their sanctuary over the years. "My girlfriend and I just bought a ranch, so we are getting out of Hollywood completely," Charlie told the U.K.'s 7 Nights magazine. "It's in California. We've got 30 chickens and a couple of donkeys, a couple of ducks and we've got a big, organic garden. We are going to try to live a bit more sustainably."

Morgana McNelis in pink dress© Getty Images

The couple have remained quiet on their marital status

Are Charlie and Morgana married?

Charlie and Morgana have not revealed whether they are husband and wife, but in 2020 he admitted that he considers himself married after clarifying what he meant when he said he was "sort of indifferent" to the idea of marriage.

"She does not feel the same. She's very eager," he said during a press conference. "I'll do it because it's important to her, but I don't have any great romantic feelings towards it."

A few days later, he clarified: "I'm, like, so romantic, and the reality is I sort of consider myself married. I've been with my girlfriend for 14 years. I suppose what I was trying to articulate the official government sanction of it doesn't mean anything to me, but the romance of it means an enormous amount."

In January 2026, Charlie hinted that he and Morgana decided to exchange vows when he called her his "wife" while speaking with ExtraTV about how he spent New Year's Eve. 

Charlie Hunnam in gray blazer and jeans and girlfriend Morgana in purple top arrive at the FX Series Screening of "Sons of Anarchy" held at Paramount Theater at Paramount Studios on August 24, 2008 © Getty Images

Morgana supports Charlie's career

She's a supportive partner

In 2013, before Charlie stepped down from the role of Christian Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey, he told People how excited his girlfriend was about the project. "It was a decision we made together, but she loved the books. She [was] really excited about the potential of this opportunity for me and if anything, I just think it will bring us closer," he shared.

"It's very hard to be with an actor. She's required to share parts of me that she wouldn't really want to share, of course. And with the certain nature of this role, it's going to be times 10."

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