Actress Emilia Fox has spoken candidly about navigating single life in her fifties, describing the period as one of considered reflection rather than restless searching. The Silent Witness star, who returns to screens this October in the Italian detective drama Signora Volpe, shared her thoughts in an exclusive interview with HELLO! magazine.
Dating Apps and the Value of Patience
Fox, 52, acknowledged that while she has used dating apps in the past, she has stepped back from them in recent years. “I have done dating apps before, but I haven't done them in the past few years,” she said. “I've been preoccupied with all the other things in life, so maybe I've neglected that side of life a bit, but that hasn't been at the cost of my happiness.”
Her remarks come after her separation in 2025 from television producer Jonathan Stadlen, her partner of four years. Fox, who shares 15-year-old daughter Rose with former partner and actor Jeremy Gilley, explained that she has deliberately chosen not to rush into a new relationship.
“I think I wanted to process the last relationship I was in, which was a meaningful relationship. I feel that I've been able to do that in a good way and not move into something else.”
Embracing the Unknown at Fifty
Fox described her current single status as a source of quiet optimism rather than anxiety. “Who knows, there's something exciting about the unknown, and I think dating apps are amazing,” she said. “I'm a great believer in human contact and finding out who someone is; I do think that's important, to find out who someone actually is before you launch into a relationship.”
She added: “I feel as though I'm enjoying what I have in my life now, not wanting something I don't have, but if something came along that felt right... also, you approach relationships differently, I think, at different ages.”
A Year On from Separation: Positivity and New Beginnings
Reflecting on her split from Gilley, which she discussed with HELLO! in April, Fox struck a philosophical note. “I'm a great believer that changes come in life for a reason, even if it's hard to see why at the time,” she said. “Inevitably, there is great sadness when a relationship finishes, but a year on from separating, I'm feeling positive about where I am in life and what's to come.”
On her former partner Stadlen, she was gracious: “We had some immensely happy times together, so I will always have good things to say about Jonathan.”
Family, Therapy, and the Sea
Fox credited her support network for helping her through the transition. “I have wonderful friends, I go to therapy, I've spent lots of time with family in Dorset walking and being by the sea,” she said.
She comes from a storied acting dynasty: her father, Edward Fox, 89, starred in The Day of the Jackal; her mother, Joanna David, 79, appeared in the 1971 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility; her brother Freddie Fox, 37, stars in Slow Horses; and her uncle James Fox, 87, is known for The Remains of the Day.
Signora Volpe Returns for a Third Season
Fox now stars in season three of Signora Volpe, in which her character Sylvia, recovered from the abduction that closed season two, settles into a new life in Italy with her partner, Carabinieri captain Giovanni Riva. Her character's former husband, Adam, played by Jamie Bamber, also returns. Episode one is available to stream on Acorn TV, with new episodes airing Mondays.
What Does Emilia Fox's Approach to Single Life Tell Us?
Fox's reflections offer a counterpoint to the prevailing cultural narrative that equates singlehood in midlife with lack or loss. Her emphasis on processing, self-knowledge, and the deliberate pace of emotional recovery suggests a model of autonomy that many might find instructive. In an era of rapid-fire dating culture, her insistence on knowing someone before committing feels almost radical in its restraint.
Why Is This Conversation Relevant Now?
As societal attitudes toward relationships continue to evolve, public figures like Fox who speak openly about the nuances of single life help normalise a stage that is often either romanticised or pitied. Her measured, reflective tone, grounded in therapy and family, provides a useful counterweight to the more sensationalised coverage of celebrity breakups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Emilia Fox used dating apps?
Yes, Fox has used dating apps in the past, though she has not used them in the last few years, citing other priorities in life.
Who was Emilia Fox's last partner?
Her most recent partner was television producer Jonathan Stadlen, from whom she separated in 2025 after four years together.
What is Signora Volpe season three about?
In season three, Fox's character Sylvia settles into life in Italy with her partner, Carabinieri captain Giovanni Riva, after recovering from an abduction.
Where can I watch Signora Volpe season three?
Episode one is available to stream on Acorn TV, with new episodes airing Mondays.