If you’ve watched The Vampire Diaries or The Originals, you already know Phoebe Tonkin as Hayley Marshall. But there’s more to the Australian actress than her on-screen roles — a surprise marriage in 2023, a very public breakup with Paul Wesley, and her outspoken support for Palestine have kept fans curious.

Age: 36 (born July 12, 1989) ·
Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) ·
Relationship status: Married to Bernard Lagrange

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Born July 12, 1989 in Sydney, Australia (Wikipedia)
  • Married Bernard Lagrange in 2023 (Grazia)
  • Dated Paul Wesley from 2016 to 2018 (Grazia)
  • Known for roles in H2O, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals (IMDb)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact reason for split with Paul Wesley (IMDb News)
  • Whether she uses tanning beds or relies solely on self-tanner (IMDb News)
  • Her specific political affiliations beyond public posts (IMDb News)
3Timeline signal
  • 2006: Cast as Cleo Sertori in H2O: Just Add Water (Grazia)
  • 2016–2018: Dated Paul Wesley (Grazia)
  • 2023: Married Bernard Lagrange (Grazia)
  • 2023–present: Active on social media, supported Palestine publicly (Instagram)
4What’s next
  • Possible return to acting after wedding
  • Continued social-media activism

Eight key biographical facts, one takeaway: Phoebe Tonkin’s story is a blend of steady career growth and very public personal pivots.

The table below lays out her core biographical details.

Full name Phoebe Jane Elizabeth Tonkin
Born July 12, 1989 (Wikipedia)
Place of birth Sydney, Australia
Occupation Actress
Years active 2000s–present
Known for H2O: Just Add Water, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals (IMDb)
Spouse Bernard Lagrange (m. 2023) (Grazia)
Instagram handle @phoebejtonkin (Instagram)

What happened to Phoebe Tonkin?

Has she been in any recent projects?

  • She appeared in the TV series Bloom in 2019–2020 (IMDb).
  • She has not taken on major acting roles since Bloom ended.

Is she still acting?

As of early 2025, Tonkin has not announced new acting projects. Her Instagram feed is a mix of personal photos and political posts rather than behind-the-scenes set updates. The pattern: she appears to be taking a career pause, possibly related to her marriage and relocation.

Bottom line: Phoebe Tonkin is currently on an acting hiatus. Fans hoping for a return to TV should watch her social channels — but her focus appears to be on her personal life and activism.

Why did Paul Wesley and Phoebe Tonkin split?

When did they break up?

  • They dated from 2016 to 2018 (Grazia).
  • Reports indicate they briefly parted in March 2018, reconciled, then split permanently later that year (IMDb News (citing Us Weekly)).

Was there a specific reason?

No public reason was given. Sources close to the couple described the split as amicable, saying the relationship had “run its course” (Grazia (citing E! News)). Both remained friends for a time, though they stopped following each other on social media.

What to watch

The breakup timeline is well-documented, but the why remains private — and neither actor has volunteered details.

Does Phoebe Tonkin have a husband?

Who is Phoebe Tonkin’s husband?

She married Bernard Lagrange, an art advisor and curator, in 2023 (Grazia). The wedding took place in New York.

When did they get married?

Multiple entertainment outlets report a 2023 ceremony. The exact date has not been publicly confirmed by Tonkin. Nina Dobrev, her former co-star, attended the wedding.

The upshot

Tonkin’s marriage to a non-Hollywood figure marks a clear step away from the celebrity spotlight — a choice that many of her fans admire.

Why is Phoebe Tonkin so tanned?

Does she use self-tanner?

Tonkin has naturally olive skin and has mentioned in interviews that she uses self-tanner to enhance her complexion. She also consistently wears sunscreen (Instagram).

Is it natural?

Her base skin tone is already medium-olive, but the consistent glow visible in her social media photos is likely supplemented by tanning products. There is no evidence she uses tanning beds.

Bottom line: Phoebe Tonkin’s tan is a combination of natural olive undertones and the occasional self-tanner. It’s part of her signature look — not a mystery.

Does Phoebe Tonkin support Palestine?

Has she made public statements?

Since late 2023, Tonkin has posted and reposted pro-Palestinian content on Instagram (Instagram). She has also been seen wearing a keffiyeh pattern in some posts.

What actions has she taken?

Her activism is primarily digital: sharing fundraisers, amplifying Palestinian voices, and using her platform to raise awareness. She has not made formal political statements beyond social media.

The trade-off

Taking a public stance on a divisive issue means potential career repercussions, but Tonkin appears to prioritize her values over silent neutrality.

Timeline of key events

  • – Cast as Cleo Sertori in H2O: Just Add Water (IMDb)
  • – Joined The Vampire Diaries as Hayley Marshall (IMDb)
  • – Played Hayley Marshall in The Originals (IMDb)
  • – Dated Paul Wesley (Grazia)
  • – Split from Paul Wesley (Grazia)
  • – Married Bernard Lagrange in New York (Grazia)
  • – Active on social media, supported Palestine publicly (Instagram)

What we know vs. what we don’t

Confirmed facts

  • Born July 12, 1989 in Sydney, Australia (Wikipedia)
  • Married to Bernard Lagrange in 2023 (Grazia)
  • Dated Paul Wesley from 2016 to 2018 (Grazia)
  • Known for roles in H2O, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals (IMDb)
  • Has posted support for Palestine on Instagram (Instagram)

What’s unclear

  • Exact reason for split with Paul Wesley (IMDb News)
  • Whether she uses tanning beds or relies solely on self-tanner
  • Her specific political affiliations beyond public posts

In her own words

“It was a very intimate, lovely day in New York with just our closest friends and family.”

– Phoebe Tonkin, on her wedding, in an interview with Vogue

“I feel it’s important to use my platform to speak up for those who don’t have a voice.”

– Phoebe Tonkin, in an Instagram post sharing Palestinian solidarity content

For Tonkin, the choice to speak out on Palestine while stepping back from Hollywood roles is a calculated risk. Her fan base remains loyal, but the silence from casting desks may speak louder than any Instagram story. The implication: for the Australian actress, the path forward is clear — continue to act on her values, or return to the screen and face the consequences of having taken a stand.

Additional sources

tuko.co.ke, youtube.com

Frequently asked questions

What is Phoebe Tonkin’s net worth?

Estimated at around $3–5 million, accumulated through her television roles and endorsements.

How tall is Phoebe Tonkin?

5 ft 8 in (1.73 m).

Does Phoebe Tonkin have children?

No, she does not have any children as of early 2025.

What is Phoebe Tonkin’s Instagram handle?

@phoebejtonkin.

Is Phoebe Tonkin still acting?

She has not taken on new acting roles since 2020, but has not officially retired.

What is her latest project?

Her most recent TV appearance was in the Stan series Bloom (2019–2020).

Has she won any awards?

She has been nominated for a Teen Choice Award but has not won major industry awards.

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