Imogen Poots breaks silence on James Norton split in Tatler interview

Imogen Poots has addressed her split from ex-fiancé James Norton in a new Tatler interview, saying that private life is often unseen and that public discussions around relationships can feel absurd.

The couple began dating in 2017 and became engaged in 2022; they split in 2023. Norton has previously described the breakup as not his decision and a life-changing moment, noting that it happened abruptly and altered his plans to start a family and marry.

In the Tatler feature, Poots acknowledged the attention surrounding her life and did not offer confirmation about her current dating status, when asked if she was seeing anyone. The interview frames her response around the broader idea that privacy around romantic life is often not visible to the public.

The accompanying shoot for the November issue showcases Poots in two striking looks. One shot features her in a pale yellow leather jacket worn over a brown bra, paired with a cream skirt and black pointed-heel boots; another shot shows her in a shoulderless black gown with a plunging neckline.

Background context traces their relationship to 2017, when they began dating after meeting during a run of the play Belleville at the Donmar Warehouse. By 2020, Poots had moved into Norton’s London home, and the couple continued to cohabitate before becoming engaged in 2022. They publicly split the following year, with Norton later acknowledging that the split was not his decision and marked a major turning point in his life.

Tatler’s November issue, which includes the interview and shoot, is available digitally and on newsstands from Thursday, October 2.