Understand Your Rights. Solve Your Legal Problems
As Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd fights to make his restraining order against ex-wife Alice Evans permanent, new court filings and social media revelations expose the emotional wreckage of one of Hollywood’s most poisonous breakups — and what the law really says about love, loss, and protection in California.
When Fantastic Four star Ioan Gruffudd and actress Alice Evans fell in love on the set of 102 Dalmatians two decades ago, they looked like a Hollywood dream. But by 2025, that dream has curdled into a nightmare — one so bitter and public it now spans restraining orders, eviction notices, and accusations of emotional abuse.
In Los Angeles this month, Gruffudd filed to make his restraining order against Evans permanent, claiming she has continued to harass him and his new wife, Bianca Wallace, despite prior court warnings. Evans, 56, fired back on social media, accusing him of “ruining her life” and “leaving her and their daughters destitute.”
According to court documents obtained by The Guardian (July 2025), the restraining order hearing centers on Gruffudd’s allegation that Evans “poses an ongoing threat of harassment,” while Evans argues the order is “unnecessary and punitive.”
The couple met in 2000 while filming Disney’s 102 Dalmatians and married in 2007, welcoming two daughters, Ella and Elsie. Gruffudd, a Welsh actor best known for his role as Mr. Fantastic, saw his career rise with roles in Titanic and King Arthur, while Evans appeared in The Vampire Diaries and Blackball.
But behind the glamour, cracks deepened. In 2021, Gruffudd filed for divorce citing “irreconcilable differences.” Evans claimed she was blindsided and took to Twitter:
“My beloved husband/soulmate of 20 years has announced he is to leave his family next week. Me and our young daughters are confused and sad.”
The tweet went viral, and from that moment, the divorce became a digital battleground. In 2022, Gruffudd was granted a domestic violence restraining order, later extended to protect Wallace after Evans allegedly sent “threatening emails” to Gruffudd’s mother (People, March 2022).
By 2024, Evans’ once-comfortable lifestyle had collapsed. She claimed in court that she was “on the verge of homelessness,” later confirming in July 2025 that she and her daughters had been evicted from their Los Angeles home.
“Four years of hell,” she wrote to her Instagram followers. “Now the girls and I are going to be homeless. Somebody please help.”
Her emotional posts prompted fans to donate nearly $10,000 via GoFundMe. “We could never have done this without the incredible kindness from all of you,” she said later.
Yet Gruffudd insists Evans isn’t as broke as she claims. Court records show she earned $130,000 in 2024, including child support, small acting fees, Cameo videos, and convention appearances (LA Superior Court filings, 2024). Evans disputes the total, saying that after legal fees and basic costs, “there’s nothing left.”
Gruffudd’s own finances have fluctuated wildly. In 2022, he reported just $51,000 in income and debts of $71,000 to French tax authorities. By early 2024, however, he declared a net worth of $2.8 million, thanks in part to film and streaming roles.
He argues his ex-wife’s support demands are unrealistic. He currently pays $4,600 in child support and $2,300 in spousal support per month, though Evans claims even that “doesn’t cover groceries.”
In a shocking court filing last month, Gruffudd alleged Evans had once allowed a drug dealer into their home and “tried to give their children cocaine.” Evans has denied the allegation and called it “a despicable smear tactic.”
Legal analysts suggest the claim may strengthen his attempt to make the restraining order permanent, particularly given that Wallace is now pregnant with their first child.
Friends of Evans told The Sun that she is aware “her car crash relationship is the only thing keeping her relevant.” One insider claimed she’s using her pain “as content” — a claim Evans does not deny.
“I’m not ashamed of my story,” she said recently. “If being honest helps me or my girls survive, then I’ll keep telling the truth.”
Her raw honesty has divided fans. Some praise her for vulnerability; others accuse her of exploiting personal trauma for attention. Meanwhile, Gruffudd has chosen silence, focusing on his career and his new marriage.
His latest film, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, reportedly grossed over $600 million worldwide, and his marriage to Wallace in April 2025 signaled a clean break — at least on paper.
The Gruffudd–Evans saga is more than celebrity gossip — it’s a vivid case study in California family law, where courts must balance personal safety, free expression, and parental rights in high-conflict separations.
Under California Family Code §6345, a restraining order issued after a domestic violence hearing can be extended permanently if the petitioner shows “reasonable apprehension of future abuse.” Judges consider social media posts, digital harassment, and emotional harm — not just physical violence.
Support obligations are set under the California Family Code §4320 factors, including income, health, earning capacity, and “standard of living established during the marriage.” In cases involving actors or freelancers, courts may modify orders frequently due to inconsistent earnings — exactly what’s happened here.
California prioritizes the “best interest of the child” (Family Code §3011). However, when one parent accuses the other of manipulation or drug use — as Gruffudd has — the court can order psychological evaluations, restrict visitation, or appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the children.
Posts that damage reputation or violate prior court orders can be grounds for contempt or order modification. In 2023, the state appellate court in In re Marriage of Candiotti reaffirmed that public disparagement of a co-parent can harm custody outcomes. Evans’ open social media activity could, therefore, have legal consequences if deemed harassing or harmful to the children.
What began as a Hollywood romance has devolved into a legal and emotional cautionary tale — about fame, family, and the perils of turning private pain into public performance.
And while the courts may decide whether Gruffudd’s restraining order becomes permanent, the damage — reputational, emotional, and familial — may already be beyond repair.
What is Ioan Gruffudd’s net worth in 2025?
Around $2.8 million, according to verified financial filings.
Why did Ioan Gruffudd file for a restraining order?
He cited ongoing harassment, threatening messages, and reputational harm from his ex-wife Alice Evans.
Is Alice Evans really broke?
She claims she is, but filings show a mix of spousal support, residuals, and online income totaling over $100,000 annually.
Can restraining orders in California become permanent?
Yes. If evidence shows an ongoing threat or pattern of harassment, a temporary order can be converted into a permanent one.
