In a revealing interview in September 2024, Florence Pugh opened up about her new relationship, two years after her breakup with actor Zach Braff.
The 28-year-old actress shared her thoughts on love, personal growth, and what she desires from her romantic future.
While she did not mention her partner by name, her remarks came after reports emerged that she was romantically involved with 28-year-old British actor Finn Cole, known for his roles in Peaky Blinders and Animal Kingdom.
Pugh discussed how she views love and relationships, describing the feeling of falling in love as “magic.”
She expressed her deep affection for caring for someone and being cared for in return, emphasizing that this mutual exchange of love and support was something she truly values in her life.
Florence Pugh and Finn Cole (Credit: YouTube)
At this stage, Pugh explained that she is focused on finding a sense of security, family, and stability in her relationships, which she sees as key components of her personal happiness.
“I think in this portion of my life, I’m trying to make sure that I’m making all the right decisions so that I can have the thing that I want…which is safety, family, a home and security,” she shared.
When asked about the fluid nature of her relationship, Pugh spoke candidly about taking her time with love. She explained that she is no longer rushing into relationships but rather allowing things to evolve naturally, “figuring out what we actually are.”
This was a new approach for her, and she reflected on how important it is to let love develop at its own pace rather than chasing the fleeting highs of early infatuation.
“Falling is the most amazing feeling, but unfortunately if that’s the only thing that you know in a relationship, then that’s the thing that you chase. That’s not gonna last,” she noted.
Her comments followed reports from The Sun that Pugh and Cole were quietly dating, with sources suggesting that the couple was trying to keep their romance under wraps.
On September 3, the two were spotted together at The Perfect Couple’s London premiere after-party. A witness claimed to have seen them holding hands and leaving the event in the same car, fueling further speculation about their relationship.
While the couple has not publicly confirmed their romance, their close bond and years-long friendship have been well-documented.
Florence Pugh (Credit: X)
Pugh and Cole have known each other for several years, with their first public interactions dating back to 2017.
During that time, Pugh began liking Cole’s posts on Instagram, and the two continued to engage with each other’s content online. Pugh’s comments on Cole’s posts have been supportive, with her most recent comment on a July 2024 photo celebrating his appearance in Red Speedo.
Similarly, Cole has shown love for Pugh’s posts, such as liking her Instagram pictures and supporting her in her various endeavors.
Their friendship deepened over the years, and in recent months, they have been seen together at events like Glastonbury, further cementing their close bond.
Pugh has been open about her desire for a family. In her British Vogue interview, she discussed how her recent film We Live in Time influenced her perspective on relationships.
The actress, who has always dreamed of having children, shared her longstanding desire to have a big family and explained that her vision of family life has been shaped by her own experiences growing up in a large family.
“I’ve wanted to have kids since I was a child myself,” she said.
“I love the idea of a big family. I come from a big family. I love kids. I love hanging out with kids.” She made it clear that having children is a central part of her long-term goals, although she’s also thoughtful about when the right time will be.
In the same interview, Pugh spoke candidly about how she prefers to keep her personal life private, especially in the public eye.
She expressed her desire to protect her partner from the scrutiny that often accompanies relationships in the spotlight, especially given the harsh criticisms they can face.
Pugh revealed that she had spoken out about her past relationship with Braff to address public interest, but she is now more focused on shielding the details of her current love life.
“I think for anyone I’m with, I want to protect them,” she said. “It’s not nice knowing that people are saying the worst things I’ve ever read about someone that I love.”
As for Finn Cole, he has also become a rising star in Hollywood, largely thanks to his role as Michael Gray on Peaky Blinders.
The actor’s portrayal of Michael, the troubled member of the Shelby family, earned him widespread recognition.
Born in Kingston, London, Cole grew up surrounded by a passion for acting, which led him to join the National Youth Theatre at the age of 17.
His talent quickly landed him roles in both television and film, including his role in Animal Kingdom, where he starred as J Cody, a character who becomes embroiled in a dangerous world of crime and family loyalty.
Although Cole’s career has placed him in the spotlight, he has managed to maintain a relatively low profile in his personal life. In a 2017 interview with Gentlemen’s Journal, Cole spoke about how fame had not drastically changed his day-to-day life.
“Although there has been the odd time I’ve been sitting in a restaurant and someone’s been looking at me for a very long period of time and I wonder if [they might recognize me],” he remarked, reflecting on the times when his fame might catch the attention of strangers.
His ability to stay grounded and avoid the pressures of fame seems to be an approach he shares with Pugh, who has similarly learned how to navigate life in the public eye while maintaining a sense of normalcy.
Both Cole and Pugh, born in November and January respectively, share strong personalities and a work ethic that matches their ambitious goals.
Their shared values, particularly around family, security, and a love of life, might explain why their friendship has blossomed into something deeper.
With their deep connection and mutual respect, it’s no surprise that their relationship has captured the public’s attention, even if they prefer to keep the details to themselves.
As their relationship continues to unfold, fans of both Pugh and Cole will be eager to see where their bond takes them.
Whether they remain private about their romance or choose to share more about their love story, it’s clear that their connection is one built on years of trust, support, and shared experiences.
