Hugh Jackman, 56, is turning up the heat onstage — and fans are buzzing about what it means for his rumored rocky romance with Sutton Foster.
In the compelling drama Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes, Jackman takes on the role of Jon, a thrice-divorced, middle-aged college professor and author who becomes entangled in an illicit affair with Annie, a 19-year-old student portrayed by Ella Beatty, 25.
The Wolverine actor throws himself into the controversial off-Broadway performance, using strong language, discussing intimate topics in detail, and engaging in several heated kissing scenes with Beatty.
Foster, 50, made an appearance backstage this week, attempting to dismiss the rumors that their budding romance has been unsteady since its public revelation in January.
But the show’s raunchy moments can’t be easy to watch for Foster, as Jackman and Beatty frequently kiss — at one point making out on a desk as a scantily clad Beatty wraps her legs around him.
Adding more fuel to the gossip mill, fresh photos of Jackman and Beatty – the daughter of Hollywood royalty Warren Beatty and Annette Bening- holding hands during the curtain call have sent tongues wagging.
The two beamed with pride, looking completely at ease with the intimate gesture.
It’s not just the steamy make-out scenes turning up the heat — Jackman also unleashes a barrage of expletives, including blunt, graphic lines about a college cheerleader ‘sucking his c***’
The play digs into messy questions of consent and power, with Annie, a smitten student hooked on Jon’s steamy novels, chasing his attention, while Jon battles temptation, a failing marriage, and the fallout of getting involved with a student.
Offstage, Jackman’s own split from Deborra-Lee Furness seems to mirror the emotional storm.
The Wolverine actor, who has only been married once, announced his split from Deborra-Lee Furness, 69, in September 2023 after 27 years of marriage.
In a joint statement at the time, they said they were ‘shifting’ and had decided to ‘separate to pursue our individual growth.’ The couple share two adopted children, Oscar, 24, and Ava, 19.
In March, a source told the Daily Mail that Jackman and Furness have yet to file for divorce because ‘they are struggling to reach an agreement on how to divide their assets.’
According to the insider, ‘Deborra-Lee feels entitled to more money than Hugh is willing to offer.’
Jackman and Foster’s relationship reportedly overlapped with the end of his marriage. The two first met as co-stars in the 2022 Broadway revival of The Music Man, but only went public after they were photographed holding hands earlier this year.
Foster, for her part, filed for divorce from her now-estranged husband, screenwriter Ted Griffin, 54, in October last year.
Despite the newness of their relationship, Jackman and Foster have already been dogged by reports of trouble, fueled in part by the time they’ve had to spend apart.
‘Being apart for an extended period of time can be tough on any couple,’ an insider told Life & Style.
‘It’s always hard dating in the public eye, but when you add their whole backstory and what they’ve put on the line as far as their reputations, the pressure rises exponentially.’
The source added: ‘There’s a lot of harsh judgement about them online.’
Jackman is juggling all this alongside fears that he’ll be dragged into his pal Blake Lively’s ongoing and messy legal battle with her It Ends with Us co-star Justin Baldoni, who she has accused of sexual harassment.
Baldoni has retaliated with his own countersuit, accusing Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds of defamation.
The rancorous back-and-forth is scheduled for trial on March 29, 2026. All parties have denied the allegations.
A source recently revealed to the Daily Mail that Jackman will be subpoenaed, along with Taylor Swift.
