How Aubrey Plaza met father of child as she announces pregnancy a year after husband’s death

Aubrey Plaza’s representatives have confirmed that, 15 months after the tragic death of her husband Jeff Baena, the actor is pregnant with former co-star Christopher Abbott’s child.

Plaza and Baena dated for 13 years, meeting at a game night in 2011 and getting married in 2021.

The pair were separated at the time of his death, with Baena committing suicide in January of 2025.

Now, Plaza is pregnant with her first baby, with representatives for the actor telling People that ‘it was a beautiful surprise after an emotional year’.

Abbott and Plaza have known each other since 2019, with rumours of the two’s friendship turning into a relationship in mid-2025.

Here is what we know about how the pair of soon-to-be parents met.

Plaza and Abbott met whilst filming the 2020 film Black Bear

The pair starred together in Black Bear, a movie about a writer who ends up trapped at a couple’s remote house in the mountains and becomes entangled in their relationship.

Starring alongside Sarah Gadon, the film was well received, with the pair later reuniting to work together once again working together on an off-Broadway revival of Danny and the Deep Blue Sea.

Plaza praised Abbott as a scene partner in this time, telling The New York Times: “He cares, but he also doesn’t care; it’s the best recipe for me.

Plaza and Abbott starred together in the psychological thriller Black Bear (Momentum Pictures)

“It’s fun and it’s also good and it’s also safe… It’s a hard combo to come by.”

Abbott spoke equally highly of working with his co-star, saying: “We’re both unafraid to be ugly and weird and strange.

“We want to entertain the audience, but I personally want to entertain Aubrey.”

Jeff Ward, the play’s director, said of casting the pair: “From Black Bear, it was clear that it was going to be electric. There was no ‘getting to know you’ section.

"There’s just something about the way they match up."

Plaza has spoken openly about her husband’s death last year

Jeff Baena tragically committed suicide in 2025 (David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

The Parks and Recreation actor appeared on her former co-star Amy Poehler’s podcast in August of 2025, saying of Baena’s death: “At all times, there’s like a giant ocean of awfulness that’s like right there, and I can see it.

“Sometimes, I just want to dive into it and be in it. Then sometimes, I just look at it.

“Sometimes, I’m just trying to get away from it. But it’s always there.”

Baena was just 47 at the time of his death, with Plaza at the time releasing a statement saying: “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support.

“Please respect our privacy during this time.”