7 Shocking Details About Lily Collins And Jamie Campbell Bower’s Intense, On-Again, Off-Again Romance And Where They Are Now In 2024

The relationship between Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower remains one of Hollywood’s most fascinating and complex romances, a true tale of 'art imitating life' that captivated fans for years. What began as a whirlwind connection on the set of a major fantasy film quickly spiraled into an intense, on-again, off-again dating history that defined a significant period of their young careers. As of December 2025, both actors have moved on to new, high-profile relationships and career-defining roles, but the legacy of their passionate, co-star pairing continues to intrigue their global fanbase, especially as they've both achieved massive success in separate franchises like Emily in Paris and Stranger Things.

This deep dive explores the full timeline of their relationship, the emotional quotes they shared, and the dramatic professional and personal turns that have led them to their current, very settled lives, years after their final split.

Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower: A Complete Biographical Profile

To fully appreciate the dynamic of their relationship, it is essential to first understand the individual journeys of these two British-American stars.

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Lily Collins (Actor, Author, Producer)

• Full Name: Lily Jane Collins
• Date of Birth: March 18, 1989
• Place of Birth: Guildford, Surrey, England
• Nationality: British and American
• Parents: Phil Collins (Musician) and Jill Tavelman
• Notable Projects: The Blind Side (2009), Mirror Mirror (2012), The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013), Rules Don't Apply (2016), To the Bone (2017), and Emily in Paris (2020–present).
• Current Status: Married to director Charlie McDowell.

Jamie Campbell Bower (Actor, Musician)

• Full Name: James Metcalfe Campbell Bower
• Date of Birth: November 22, 1988
• Place of Birth: London, England
• Nationality: British
• Parents: Anne Elizabeth (Music Manager) and David Bower (Gibson Guitar Corporation)
• Notable Projects: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), The Twilight Saga (Caius), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (Young Gellert Grindelwald), The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013), and Stranger Things (Vecna/Henry Creel/One, 2022).
• Current Status: Reportedly dating talent agent Jess Moloney.

The Co-Star Connection: A Timeline of Their On-Again, Off-Again Romance

The relationship between Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower was a classic example of a "showmance" that transcended its initial promotional purpose, becoming a genuine, albeit unstable, romance. Their connection was intense, public, and frequently documented by the press.

1. July 2012: The Spark on Set

The pair first met and began dating while filming the adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s fantasy novel, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. Lily played the protagonist, Clary Fray, and Jamie played her love interest, Jace Wayland. The timing was significant, as Jamie had recently ended his engagement to Harry Potter actress Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley). The immediate chemistry between Collins and Bower was palpable, fueling excitement for the film.

2. August 2013: The First Breakup

Just before the film’s release, which required them to be side-by-side on a global press tour, the couple announced their first split. This breakup created an awkward dynamic for the promotional circuit, forcing them to discuss their relationship status while promoting their on-screen romance. Lily later commented on the difficulty of this period, stating that they had made "a conscious decision to go out and live our lives as we are quite young."

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3. 2015: The Reconciliation and Social Media Buzz

After a nearly two-year separation, the pair shocked fans by getting back together. They confirmed their reconciliation through affectionate posts on social media, with Lily sharing a photo of them together and captioning it: "Some things are just meant to be." This period was marked by public displays of affection and a renewed intensity in their relationship, proving that their bond was deeper than a simple film fling.

4. 2016–2018: The Final Split and Professional Focus

The second attempt at a relationship was also short-lived. By 2018, the pair had officially separated for the final time. While they never gave a detailed public reason, both actors began to focus heavily on their burgeoning solo careers. Lily took on challenging roles in films like To the Bone and began production on the series that would make her a global superstar, Emily in Paris. Jamie, meanwhile, continued his work in music and acting, setting the stage for his career-defining role as Vecna in the global phenomenon Stranger Things.

The Aftermath: How They Found Stability and Success in 2024

Years after their final breakup, both Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower have found lasting stability and achieved unprecedented career success. This separation and individual growth highlights a common trajectory for young Hollywood stars who find love early but need time apart to truly define themselves.

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Lily Collins: Marriage, Motherhood Hopes, and Parisian Stardom

Lily Collins is now happily and securely married to American film director and screenwriter, Charlie McDowell. Their relationship began in 2019, and they became engaged in September 2020. They officially tied the knot in a magical, intimate ceremony in Colorado in September 2021.

• The Marriage: Lily and Charlie celebrated their third wedding anniversary in September 2024, with Collins penning sweet tributes to her husband on social media, cementing their status as one of Hollywood's most stable couples.
• Family Plans: In a recent update, Charlie McDowell has openly discussed their hopes for starting a family, revealing they are excited to enter a "new chapter" together. This focus on a future family contrasts sharply with the youthful, chaotic nature of her past co-star relationships.
• Career Peak: Collins' career is at an all-time high as the star and producer of the hit Netflix series Emily in Paris, which has been renewed for multiple seasons. She and McDowell are also working together on a new project, an adaptation of the novel The Summer Book, further blending their professional and personal lives.

Jamie Campbell Bower: Vecna's Rise and New Love

Jamie Campbell Bower also found significant career success and a new, stable partner in the years following his final split from Collins. His casting as the primary villain, Vecna, in the fourth season of Stranger Things in 2022 launched him into a new stratosphere of global fame, giving him a career-defining role that overshadowed his previous work in the Twilight and Harry Potter franchises.

• The Vecna Phenomenon: His performance as the terrifying Henry Creel/One/Vecna was critically acclaimed, showcasing his dramatic range and establishing him as a major force in the industry. The role required significant physical and emotional transformation, a professional achievement that marked his maturity as an actor.
• Current Partner: As of 2024, Jamie Campbell Bower is reportedly in a serious relationship with talent agent and entrepreneur Jess Moloney. Their relationship became public in 2022, and they have been spotted together at various events, including a recent airport sighting, indicating a steady, two-year-plus partnership.
• Creative Pursuits: Alongside acting, Bower has continued to pursue his passion for music, releasing new tracks and performing with his band, showing a commitment to his artistic independence.

The Enduring Legacy: Why Fans Still Talk About "Jily"

The term "Jily," a portmanteau of their first names, is still used by fans to discuss the intense chemistry between Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower. The enduring interest stems from several key factors that make their story unique in Hollywood dating history:

1. The On-Screen/Off-Screen Mirror

Their real-life relationship perfectly mirrored the dramatic, fated love story of Clary and Jace in The Mortal Instruments. This blurred line between fiction and reality made their public appearances electric and intensified fan investment in their personal lives.

2. The Filming Quotes

Lily Collins was remarkably candid about the experience of filming romantic scenes with her ex-boyfriend. She once described their first on-screen kiss after their breakup as her "most awkward screen kiss," but also acknowledged the "weird relationship" dynamic that made working together both challenging and rewarding.

3. Mutual Respect and Maturity

Crucially, despite the multiple breakups, both actors consistently spoke of each other with respect. There was no public drama or animosity, allowing them to remain friends and support each other's careers from a distance. This mature approach to their split is why their names can still be linked in a positive, nostalgic context years later.

While the chapter of "Jily" is definitively closed, the story of Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower serves as a powerful reminder that even the most intense, youthful romances can pave the way for individual growth and eventual, lasting happiness with new partners.