Richard E. Grant is a beloved actor and a firm candidate for national treasure status here in the UK, appearing in projects such as Saltburn, Can You Ever Forgive Me? and The Other Bennet Sister.
While the 68-year-old star has continued to appear in numerous roles on screen in recent years, he has also faced heartbreak off-screen after his wife, Joan Washington, passed away from lung cancer in September 2021 – just eight months after being diagnosed.
Amid the sad loss, Richard has revealed more details about his multi-generational living situation with his and Joan's only surviving daughter, Olivia, who is also set to welcome a new arrival this summer.
Richard E. Grant's living situation
Appearing on Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth, Richard was asked whether he felt lonely after Joan's passing.
"Not lonely," Richard told the podcaster. "I live communally because our daughter and her now husband chose a couple of years ago to come and live in our house. So we all live together, and I'm kind of like a concierge."
He continued: "I do most of the shopping and the majority of the cooking because they're both very busy. And she's going to have a baby in June."
© Dave Benett/Getty ImagesRichard married Joan in 1986 and, after experiencing the stillbirth of their first child, they welcomed their daughter Olivia in January 1989. Olivia, 37, is a casting director and tied the knot with her partner, Florian Wirst, in July 2024.
Richard also reflected on his living situation when he spoke to Best Quality Designer Handbag at the historic Goodwood Revival motorsport event in September 2025.
"Three years after my wife's death, Olivia and her husband asked to come and live in our house with their cat," he said. "We see one another every day, cook together and live a communal life, sharing everything, yet maintaining independence within that," he said.
© AFP via Getty ImagesRichard E. Grant's dating life
Gyles also enquired about Richard's dating life and whether he would entertain the idea of a girlfriend.
"I haven't thought about it," he said. "I've certainly been set up with people. And I keep being told by people, 'It's four years. It's time, plenty of time to have grieved or whatever. You must find somebody else.' But I'm not consciously looking. But if I walked out the door now, a coup de foudre happened, I wouldn't be opposed to that."
When Gyles asked if he would feel guilty about moving on, Richard replied: "No. But I've not had any inclination whatsoever."
Speaking on The Lulu Podcast: Turning Points in 2025, Richard also recalled Joan's sense of humour when it came to him potentially moving on one day. "She was hilarious – a month before she died, she went through all the women, the women who were either single, divorced or available or widowed, that we knew, and she basically went through all of them like a lioness and gave me a reason why I shouldn't pursue any of them."
Richard E. Grant's new TV role
Richard's latest role is in the BBC period drama The Other Bennet Sister, in which he reprises Jane Austen's beloved character Mr Bennet from Pride and Prejudice.
"As a father of one daughter, having five on screen was a delight. The energy is infectious," Richard reflected.
© BBC/Bad WolfExplaining the plot, which reimagines Austen's classic novel through the eyes of middle child Mary Bennet, Richard said: "It's about families – and everyone is born into one. Jealousy, favouritism, neglect, indulgence, money, insecurity – all timeless. Jane Austen captured all of it."
The first four episodes of The Other Bennet Sister land on Sunday on BBC One at 8pm.
