After playing controversial love interests on The Bear, Jeremy Allen White and Molly Gordon sparked romance rumors off screen as well.
Viewers originally fell in love with White’s performance as Carmy when The Bear premiered in 2022. At the time, White was married to Addison Timlin, with whom he shares two daughters. Timlin filed for divorce in May 2023 after more than three years of marriage and has since moved on with director Cooper Raiff.
White, for his part, was linked to model Ashley Moore and singer Rosalía before he was spotted packing on the PDA with Gordon. While the pair have preferred not to publicly address their romance often, they have gushed about their experience collaborating on The Bear despite some fans being vocal about their dislike for Carmy and Claire (Gordon) together.
“I’d been craving something like this as an actor for a really long time. I never thought that I would get to be included in something like The Bear and to work opposite Jeremy, who I think is one of the best actors of our generation,” Gordon told Shondaland in July 2023. “That they would allow this loser to join him and everyone else who is so brilliant on that show … literally, I would’ve played a dishrag. So, the fact that they allowed me to look at Jeremy is … I’m forever grateful.”
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The outlet noted that Gordon laughed when the interviewer mentioned she got to make out with White. Keep scrolling to relive White and Gordon’s romance:
June 2023
White and Gordon met for the first time while filming season 2 of The Bear.
“I think Molly does such an amazing job. She’s so disarming and funny and charming. I think it didn’t allow Carmy to build up his regular walls,” White told Variety at the time. “She knocked them down with ease and allowed Carmy to feel cared for, which must have just been so welcomed because I don’t know the last time Carmy would have allowed himself to be cared for.”
Gordon’s character was introduced as a love interest for Carmy, which became a divisive narrative choice for critics who questioned whether Claire was fully explored as her own person. Others, meanwhile, argued that Carmy should have been paired off with Sydney, who is played by Gordon’s real-life best friend Ayo Edebiri.
July 2023
“Our first day of shooting together was the refrigerator scene. The first time I met him, I felt that excitement of meeting an actor that you admire, but I also felt like I had known him for so long,” Gordon told Glamour. “He’s such a generous, available person, whereas you have to pull so many other actors out of their shells. He was like, ‘I’m in this with you.’ I immediately felt like there was something really good there, and I felt safe in that dynamic. I guess Chris [Storer, The Bear’s creator] knew.”
Gordon was thrilled at the chance to share the screen with White, adding, “I didn’t know anything about the role when I signed on. Once they sent me the scripts and I started reading, I couldn’t believe they would put me in the same room as Jeremy Allen White. My slob self? How dare they? I was very nervous because he is such a brilliant actor, and I wanted to live up to his talent. But I trusted that Chris knew we would have a nice flow.”
February 2024
White and Gordon posed for photos together after The Bear won big at the SAG Awards.
May 2024
Gordon was asked about White’s viral Calvin Klein ad, to which she told Elle, “I mean, I went to a yoga class several weeks ago and I’m still tired from that. I think what he was able to pull off is incredible. He should be celebrated for that.”
June 2024
After Carmy and Claire’s relationship crashed and burned in season 2, they didn’t properly interact in season 3. Gordon, however, broke down her emotional scene with White in the season 2 finale, telling Elle UK, “On that show, I just want to match the level of acting that is happening. Jeremy sets such a high bar. I have to make sure the moment lands in the most honest way it can.”
In a separate interview with L’Officiel USA, Gordon called White “so curious and loving and kind.”
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September 2024
Initially, White and Gordon were spotted outside of set getting into the same car. Days later there were photos posted of the duo sharing a kiss. White wrapped his hand around Gordon’s and they embraced before she got in the driver’s seat of her car.
November 2024
Gordon and White were photographed out in New York City during the weekend before Thanksgiving. They didn’t show any PDA but remained close on the evening walk.
June 2025
Gordon broke her silence regarding fan reactions over the kissing photos, telling Vanity Fair, “With the internet, I just think — I even see it in myself as a fan of things — we’re just a more judgmental society.”
The actress went on to discuss her experience being a romantic lead. “I’m always ‘the friend,’” she said. “I’ve never played the romantic person. I was like, ‘Whoa, this is going to be a different experience.’”
Gordon noted that White’s role “is a character that people feel so protective over, and it’s been kind of controversial to bring a romantic element into the show. That’s been at times annoying, fascinating and interesting — just to be a part of something that people have opinions on.”
June 2025
After addressing fan backlash to Carmy and Claire’s romance, Gordon reprised her role in season 4. Carmy reconnected with Claire and they were possibly on the road to a relationship again after he quit working at The Bear. The finale sparked speculation that it was the conclusion to the series but it remains to be seen whether there will be more episodes with White and Gordon.
At the end of the month, Gordon also shared several photos of herself on the set of The Bear with White. In her Instagram carousel, she included a snap of White with an arm wrapped around her as she clasped her hand over the top.
