5 Surprising Facts About Morena Baccarin And Ben McKenzie’s Life Beyond Gotham (Including His New Career Pivot)

Morena Baccarin and Ben McKenzie remain one of Hollywood's most compelling and private power couples, a relationship that blossomed from their time as co-stars on the hit series *Gotham*. While fans have long followed their on-screen chemistry as Jim Gordon and Dr. Leslie Thompkins, the couple has recently stepped back into the spotlight for a completely unexpected reason—a dramatic career pivot that has nothing to do with acting and everything to do with finance. As of December 2025, the couple's most recent public appearances have centered on Ben McKenzie’s new documentary, *Everyone Is Lying to You for Money*, a project that solidifies his surprising new role as a vocal critic of the cryptocurrency world. This shift from "The O.C." heartthrob and DC Comics hero to financial commentator has given their relationship a fresh, intellectual dimension, proving their partnership is about much more than just their shared acting history.

Morena Baccarin and Ben McKenzie: Complete Biography and Profile

The relationship between Morena Baccarin and Ben McKenzie is a classic Hollywood romance, starting on set and transitioning into a strong, private family life. Both actors have established formidable careers in television and film, but their shared history as the central couple in the Batman-prequel series *Gotham* is what ultimately brought them together.

Morena Baccarin Profile

• Full Name: Morena Silva de Vaz Setta Baccarin
• Born: June 2, 1979 (Age 46 in 2025)
• Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Nationality: Brazilian-American
• Key Roles/Filmography: Inara Serra on *Firefly* (2002–2003), Adria on *Stargate SG-1* (2006–2007), Anna on *V* (2009–2011), Jessica Brody on *Homeland* (2011–2013), Dr. Leslie "Lee" Thompkins on *Gotham* (2015–2019), Vanessa Carlysle in *Deadpool* (2016) and *Deadpool 2* (2018).
• Spouse: Ben McKenzie (m. 2017)
• Children: 3 (Julius Setta Chick, Frances Laiz Setta Schenkkan, Arthur Setta Schenkkan)

Ben McKenzie Profile

• Full Name: Benjamin McKenzie Schenkkan
• Born: September 12, 1978 (Age 47 in 2025)
• Birthplace: Austin, Texas, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Key Roles/Filmography: Ryan Atwood on *The O.C.* (2003–2007), Ben Sherman on *Southland* (2009–2013), James "Jim" Gordon on *Gotham* (2014–2019).
• Spouse: Morena Baccarin (m. 2017)
• Children: 2 (Frances Laiz Setta Schenkkan, Arthur Setta Schenkkan)
• Other Roles: Author of *Easy Money* (2023), Director of *Everyone Is Lying to You for Money* (2025).

The Gotham Romance That Became a Family of Five

Morena Baccarin and Ben McKenzie’s love story is a quintessential example of co-star romance. They first met on the set of the Fox crime drama *Gotham*, where McKenzie played the lead role of Detective Jim Gordon and Baccarin was introduced as his love interest, Dr. Leslie Thompkins.

Their relationship quickly moved from on-screen chemistry to a real-life partnership. The couple began dating in 2015, and in 2016, they welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Frances Laiz Setta Schenkkan.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

They officially tied the knot in a private, intimate ceremony at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens in New York on June 2, 2017, which was also Morena Baccarin’s 38th birthday.

The family grew again in March 2021 with the arrival of their son, Arthur Setta Schenkkan. Along with Baccarin’s son, Julius Setta Chick, from her previous marriage, the couple is now happily raising three children, a dynamic that keeps their lives busy and deeply rooted in New York.

Ben McKenzie’s Shocking Pivot: From Jim Gordon to Crypto Critic

In a move that surprised many fans and industry peers, Ben McKenzie has spent the last few years transitioning from a full-time actor to a serious financial commentator and investigative journalist. This is arguably the most significant and fresh development in the couple's professional lives as of late 2025, and it has become a new source of topical authority for the pair.

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

The Anti-Crypto Crusade

McKenzie's interest in the world of finance, particularly his skepticism toward the cryptocurrency market, began during the COVID-19 pandemic. He started researching the topic, which led to a collaboration with journalist Jacob Silverman and ultimately resulted in the 2023 book, *Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the American Dream*.

McKenzie has been a vocal critic of what he views as the predatory and speculative nature of the crypto industry, often appearing on news programs and giving commentary on major financial outlets.

The 2025 Documentary Release

The culmination of this work is his directorial and writing debut, the documentary *Everyone Is Lying to You for Money*. The film, which further explores the themes of financial risk, scams, and the crypto bubble, was screened at Doc NYC in November 2025.

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

Morena Baccarin has been a supportive presence during this professional pivot. She attended the November 2025 screening of the documentary with her husband, marking one of their most recent public appearances together. This joint effort highlights a new, intellectual dimension to their partnership, as they navigate the world of financial journalism alongside their acting careers.

Key Details and LSI Entities in Their Shared Life

The story of Morena Baccarin and Ben McKenzie is rich with interconnected professional and personal entities:

• The O.C. & Southland: Before *Gotham*, Ben McKenzie was famous for his breakout role as Ryan Atwood on *The O.C.* and his subsequent dramatic turn on *Southland*.
• Deadpool Franchise: Morena Baccarin is a major entity in the superhero genre, known globally for her role as Vanessa Carlysle, the love interest of the titular anti-hero in the *Deadpool* films.
• Firefly and Homeland: Baccarin’s career is heavily associated with critically acclaimed TV series, including the cult sci-fi hit *Firefly* and the political thriller *Homeland*, for which she received an Emmy nomination.
• Frances Laiz Setta Schenkkan: The full name of their daughter, Frances, is a blend of their family names, with "Setta" coming from Morena's mother (Vera Setta) and "Schenkkan" being Ben’s family name.
• Brooklyn Botanical Gardens: The intimate, significant location where the couple chose to get married on Baccarin's birthday in 2017.
• Crypto Skepticism: This is the new, major LSI keyword for Ben McKenzie, defining his current public persona alongside his acting work. The documentary *Everyone Is Lying to You for Money* is the central entity for this new career path.

Their enduring relationship, which began in the fictional world of Gotham City, has successfully transitioned into a dynamic real-world partnership. With Morena Baccarin continuing her busy acting schedule and Ben McKenzie embracing his new role as a financial watchdog, the couple is proving that their shared life is as compelling and multifaceted as their on-screen roles. Their stability and mutual support, evident at the November 2025 documentary screening, suggest this Hollywood power couple is set for a long and successful run, both personally and professionally.