The British are coming! Well, actually, they’re already here, and they’re scooping up Hollywood’s most eligible bachelorettes one by one.
Dubbed the British Celebrity Boyfriend by “The Rest Is Entertainment” podcast host Marina Hyde, the BCB can be broadly defined as a British man with some sort of celebrity status who dates or has dated American women — though they tend to stick to some specific stereotypes, as outlined by Hyde and her cohost Richard Osman (see: Criteria).
The American woman happily partakes in the BCB’s cultural idiosyncrasies (see: Where to Find Them): “You are in a cross-cultural relationship,” Hyde says of the coupling. “But you love them and you tell interviewers how much you enjoy them and how refreshing it is.”
Us Weekly breaks down who the top BCBs are and what makes them so desirable:
The Criteria
Personality Traits
“No. 1, he is sensitive and artistic,” Hyde says. “He has to be in the creative industries. He can’t be a footballer.” Our top BCBs’ industries run the gambit from film and television to music and art. (We may have been crushing on David Beckham for decades, but that doesn’t make him a BCB!)
Fashion Sense
The BCB “owns a huge number of scarves,” along with caps (though not a baseball cap), Hyde declares, further noting their wardrobe includes leather boots or a wool coat — but never athleisure.
Their Homes
“Any British Celebrity Boyfriend will live in a property that has either the same amount of bathrooms to bedrooms — pretty nice — or, as is more usual, fewer,” Hyde says, contrasting to that of a typical home in the U.S. Remember all the hubbub over Meghan Markle’s unimpressed reaction to living in the two-bed, one-bath Nottingham Cottage with Prince Harry? Case in point.
Where to Find Them
Outside Pubs in London
Yes, they go inside too, but can’t you just envision the BCB stepping out for a quick smoke in between pints?
Wimbledon
Catch the BCB at the London-based tennis tournament — you’ll be able to pick him out of the crowd because he won’t be wearing sunglasses all day. “They understand it’s not a Malibu wedding,” says Hyde. (Well done, Louis Partridge.)
On a Lime Bike
While known Lime bike fan (remember his entrance at the A Complete Unknown premiere?) Timothée Chalamet will never be a BCB, Hyde thinks he could play one in a movie one day: “and I think he could do it very convincingly!”
A Football Match
Or as we call it stateside: soccer. “Don’t worry, it probably only has to happen once. The games last 90 minutes,” Hyde notes of the popular date event.
Kissing in the Street
The BCB just can’t resist locking lips in public, which is often how fans find out about a new romantic pairing. Notably, Olivia Wilde was seen sneaking a street smooch with Ellie Goulding’s ex-husband, Caspar Jopling, in London in September.
Top 10 BCBs
Louis Partridge
All you have to do is listen to Olivia Rodrigo’s song “So American” to understand how in love she is with her own BCB, actor Partridge.
Jamie Bell
With a history of marriages to American actresses (Evan Rachel Wood from 2012 to 2014 and Kate Mara since 2017), Jamie Bell certainly qualifies.
Orlando Bloom
Recently back on the market following his split from Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom (who was also once in a relationship with Kate Bosworth) is a category veteran.
Nicholas Hoult
Nicholas Hoult was in a long-term relationship with X-Men costar Jennifer Lawrence before marrying model Bryana Holly.
Damson Idris
F1 actor Damson Idris was most notably linked to Lori Harvey — and the duo were recently spotted packing on the PDA during a vacation two years after their initial breakup.
Andrew Garfield
Andrew Garfield’s dating history includes Emma Stone, model Alyssa Miller and now Top Gun: Maverick and A Complete Unknown star Monica Barbaro.
Joe Alwyn
His six-year relationship with Taylor Swift was his only notable time as a BCB, though inspiring the song “London Boy” is enough to earn Joe Alwyn a spot on the list.
Prince Harry
Harry has, in many ways, proven himself to be the ultimate BCB since sparking a romance with now-wife Markle.
Tom Holland
Tom Holland fits the archetype of the BCB, often taking fiancée Zendaya for walks around London and even teaching her British slang when they’re not filming Spider-Man movies.
Harry Styles
Harry Styles’ penchant for American women is well-documented (see: Swift, Kendall Jenner, Olivia Wilde and current girlfriend Zoë Kravitz).
Honorable Mentions
Some aren’t quite British — or even celebrities — but these fan faves almost make the cut.
Paul Mescal
He may be Irish, but something about the actor — who is currently dating Gracie Abrams — just screams BCB!
Elliot Grainge
While more of a celebrity by association, the music exec is married to Sofia Richie and therefore qualifies.
Cruz Beckham
Though he’s currently dating Brazilian-German musician Jackie Apostel, Hyde thinks there’s lots of “potential” here.
Idris Elba
The beloved British heartthrob may be married to Canadian model Sabrina Dhowre Elba, but his previous two wives were American.
Joseph Quinn
The Stranger Things actor was linked to Doja Cat, but not much else is known about his romantic history.
Happily Ever After … Or Not?
What typically becomes of a relationship with a British Celebrity Boyfriend? “It generally ends with you going back to America and marrying a ballplayer or an ice road trucker [and] writing a song like ‘Wood,’” Hyde declared. “I didn’t make the rules. Maybe the cultural divide can’t be breached in perpetuity.” Looking at you, Travis and Taylor!
