Christopher Nolan has returned to cinemas with his most ambitious spectacle yet – but, as with every feature film he has directed, his wife, Emma Thomas, has been instrumental in bringing it to the screen.
The director's new movie, The Odyssey, is an epic adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek poem, following Odysseus on his perilous journey home after the Trojan War. Shot entirely using IMAX film cameras, it stars Matt Damon in the central role alongside Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o and Charlize Theron.
The British-American filmmaker met Emma while they were both students at University College London, with the pair marrying in 1997.
© Deadline via Getty ImagesNow celebrating almost three decades of marriage, the notoriously private pair have become one of the movie industry's most enduring and powerful couples – collaborating on projects while largely keeping their home life away from the spotlight.
Emma produced Nolan's early short film Doodlebug and his low-budget debut feature, Following, which was released in 1998. She has since produced every feature film he has directed, including Memento, The Prestige, the Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, Interstellar, Dunkirk, Tenet, Oppenheimer and now The Odyssey.
© Getty Images for Universal PictuThe couple also founded the production company Syncopy, through which they have developed many of their biggest movies. Although Christopher may be the more recognisable public figure, Emma is far from simply the director's wife – she is an acclaimed producer responsible for overseeing their productions.
Their partnership reached a career high with 2023's Oppenheimer. The historical drama won seven Academy Awards, with Christopher receiving his first Best Director Oscar and Christopher, Emma and fellow producer Charles Roven sharing the Best Picture prize.
© Getty Images for Universal PictuThe couple were later formally recognised for their individual contributions to cinema, with Christopher receiving a knighthood and Emma a damehood in 2024.
© Getty ImagesChristopher and Emma are parents to four children: Flora, Oliver, Rory and Magnus. The Odyssey became a true family undertaking, as all four of their now-adult children joined the production in different departments. Christopher revealed to People that although they were not given the most glamorous jobs, he loved having them involved.
"It was great," he said of working with the family. "I have four kids, and all four of them were able to work."
