Simon Baker, the silver-haired Australian heartthrob who charmed the world as the suave mentalist Patrick Jane, has always played the perfect gentleman on screen. Off camera, however, the 56-year-old actor’s romantic history reads like a Hollywood soap opera packed with dramatic twists, age-gap headlines, controversial exes, and now the ultimate awkward plot twist: swirling rumours that he is “enjoying a romance” with none other than Nicole Kidman – his ex-wife Rebecca Rigg’s close friend of nearly 40 years.

The latest gossip has reportedly left Rebecca “shocked and confused,” according to insiders. The former couple, who were married for 22 years and share three children, announced their separation in 2020 but have maintained a friendly co-parenting relationship. Rebecca and Nicole have been tight since childhood, growing up in the same Sydney area, with Kidman even serving as godmother to the couple’s youngest son Harry. Resurfaced photos show the two women laughing together over the years, making any romantic link between Nicole and Simon feel like the ultimate betrayal in their tight-knit circle.

The rumours ignited recently when Simon and Nicole, both starring in the upcoming series Scarpetta, were spotted looking cosy at events and on set. Sources claim their on-screen chemistry as a married couple has spilled into real life, with flirty banter and close interactions fuelling speculation. Kidman, 58 and freshly divorced, reportedly “begged” for Baker to join the project after they previously worked together on the anthology series Roar. Now, the internet is buzzing with questions: is this Hollywood’s newest power couple, or just harmless co-star flirtation? For Rebecca, the situation is anything but simple.

This latest chapter is just the most headline-grabbing entry in Simon Baker’s colourful post-marriage love life, which has been anything but quiet since he and Rebecca called time on their long union.

The first major romance to make waves came in early 2021, months after the separation announcement. Simon was spotted getting cosy with activewear designer Laura May Gibbs, then 36 – a woman 16 years his junior. The pair looked smitten on beaches in Byron Bay, hugging and playing in the waves like teenagers. For a while, it seemed like a classic rebound fairytale. But the fairy tale crumbled when Laura attended an anti-vaxx protest amid COVID-19 mandates. Sources claimed the public display became a deal-breaker for Simon, and the couple quietly parted ways later that year. Laura later revealed she was pregnant, adding another layer of drama to the split. The relationship may have been short-lived, but it thrust Simon back into the tabloid spotlight as a newly single A-lister navigating Hollywood’s dating scene.

Then came the ultimate age-gap headline that raised eyebrows even in liberal Tinseltown. In late 2022, Simon was photographed looking loved-up with a mystery blonde on Tamarama Beach in Sydney. The woman turned out to be Melbourne-born lifestyle photographer Bridgette Clark, just 30 years old at the time – younger than Baker’s eldest daughter Stella, who turned 31 in 2025. The pair were spotted holding hands, sharing romantic getaways, and even enjoying family time with Simon’s sons Claude and Harry in Byron Bay. Their on-off relationship has reportedly seen break-ups and passionate reunions, with fresh sightings as recently as 2025 showing them stepping out hand-in-hand in New York.

Insiders describe Bridgette as a free-spirited creative who fits Simon’s laid-back Australian surfer vibe. The significant age difference sparked endless online debate, with some calling it refreshing honesty and others questioning the power dynamics. Yet Simon seemed unfazed, continuing to live his life publicly while keeping certain details private. The rekindling after brief separations only added fuel to the narrative of a man embracing his bachelor freedom after decades of marriage.

Throughout it all, Simon has maintained a relatively low-key presence compared to some Hollywood stars, focusing on his work in projects like Boy Swallows Universe and his directorial efforts. But his personal life refuses to stay out of the spotlight, painting a picture of a man who transitioned from devoted family man to a serial dater with eclectic tastes – from wellness-focused designers with strong opinions to young photographers capturing life’s moments.

Now, the Nicole Kidman rumours have taken centre stage, creating the most uncomfortable crossover yet. Rebecca Rigg, who has rebuilt her own life post-divorce, is said to be blindsided by the gossip. Friends of the ex-couple insist she and Simon remain on good terms for the sake of their children, but the idea of her long-time confidante Nicole becoming romantically involved with her ex has reportedly left her “confused” and unsettled. Nicole and Rebecca’s bond runs deep – they are practically “the same person” according to Kidman herself in past interviews. The actress has even joked about their intertwined families. For Rebecca, any truth to the romance rumours would feel like a double betrayal.

Simon and Nicole’s professional connection is undeniable. They previously played spouses in Roar, where Baker said they “had a good time” on set. Their chemistry in Scarpetta, where Kidman stars as a forensic pathologist and Baker as her FBI profiler husband, has only amplified the speculation. Hand-holding moments at premieres and cosy interactions have fans divided: some ship the pairing as Hollywood magic, while others see it as awkward given the shared history with Rebecca.

As the rumours swirl, Simon has remained characteristically silent, letting the tabloids do the talking. At 56, the actor who once embodied calm, intuitive brilliance on The Mentalist now finds himself at the centre of a real-life emotional puzzle. From the stable 29-year marriage that produced three children, to the short-lived fling with an anti-vaxx activist, to the headline-grabbing romance with a woman younger than his daughter, and now the potential entanglement with one of Australia’s biggest stars – Simon Baker’s love life has been anything but predictable.

Rebecca, for her part, has focused on co-parenting and her own path forward. Sources close to her say she values the friendship with Nicole too much for this to destroy it outright, but the situation has undeniably created tension. The resurfaced photos of Rebecca and Nicole laughing together only highlight how intertwined their worlds have been – and how complicated things could become if the romance rumours prove true.

Hollywood has seen plenty of messy ex-situations before, but few carry the extra sting of a best-friend crossover. Whether Simon and Nicole are simply enjoying a flirty working relationship or something deeper remains to be seen. What is clear is that Simon Baker, once the picture of domestic stability, has embraced a colourful, headline-making chapter of singledom that shows no signs of slowing down.

For fans who grew up watching the charming Aussie on screen, the off-screen drama adds an extra layer of intrigue. Will the Scarpetta co-stars turn their on-screen marriage into a real one? Will Rebecca and Nicole’s decades-long friendship survive the gossip? And where does the much-younger photographer Bridgette fit if the Kidman rumours heat up?

One thing is certain: Simon Baker’s love life continues to deliver the kind of twists and turns worthy of a primetime drama. From anti-vaxxer controversies to age-gap headlines and now the ultimate friend-zone crossover, the former Mentalist star is proving that life after a long marriage can be every bit as unpredictable – and captivating – as any role he’s ever played.

As the speculation reaches fever pitch, the world watches to see which chapter comes next in this endlessly fascinating Hollywood saga. For now, Rebecca Rigg is left processing the shock, while Simon keeps living his life in that signature cool, collected style that made him a star in the first place.