Aubrey Plaza, 41, Expecting First Child One Year After Husband Jeff Baena's Passing

Aubrey Plaza is getting ready to welcome her first child, this time with her partner Chris Abbott.

According to a source who spoke with PEOPLE, the Parks and Recreation actress and Abbott, widely recognized for his role in Girls, are expecting a baby together. The news has quickly drawn attention as fans react to this major life update.

The source shared: "It was a beautiful surprise after an emotional year."

The same source mentioned that the couple feel deeply thankful for this moment, and Plaza’s representative later confirmed the news publicly. It marks a new chapter for both of them.

Abbott, 40, and Plaza, 41, have worked together before. They appeared in the off-Broadway production Danny and the Deep Blue Sea in 2023, and earlier shared the screen in the 2020 film Black Bear, where their chemistry was already noticeable.

This announcement comes a little over a year after the death of Plaza’s husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena, in January 2025, making the news even more emotional for those who have followed her journey.

Plaza and Baena had separated in September 2024 after being married for about three years, bringing an end to their relationship before his passing.

She later spoke about the loss during a conversation with her Parks and Recreation co-star Amy Poehler on the Good Hang podcast, where she shared how she has been coping.

"Overall, I'm here and I'm functioning," Plaza said, "I feel really grateful to be moving through the world. I think I'm OK, but it's a daily struggle, obviously."

Plaza and Abbott worked together on Blackbear in 2020 Owen Hoffmann/Getty Images Courtesy of Rand Luxury

At the time, officials confirmed that Baena died by suicide at his home in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office. The news had a strong impact across the film industry and among fans.

How Aubrey Plaza and Chris Abbott first crossed paths

Plaza and Abbott originally met while working together on the film Black Bear in 2020. That project brought them into the same creative space and marked the beginning of their connection.

They have kept their relationship mostly private, choosing not to share many details publicly. Still, people began to take notice last summer when they were seen together at The Chatham Berry Farm in New York State.

A source told Deuxmoi that Plaza appeared affectionate toward Abbott during the outing, and his sister Christina was also present, which added to the speculation about their relationship.

More attention followed when photos surfaced of the two attending a New York Knicks game in November 2025. They were seated next to Ben Stiller, which brought even more visibility to their connection.

While promoting her children’s book Luna and the Witch Throw a Halloween Party on the Today show last October, Plaza reflected on personal influences and shared: "Shoutout to my grandma, Margie."

"She taught me from a very young age that life is a party and no matter what happens, we have to have fun and move forward, and so I think this book was inspired by that."

Chris Abbott has built a strong career across both film and theater, often choosing roles that highlight his range as an actor.

He is currently appearing on Broadway in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, alongside Laurie Metcalf and Nathan Lane, further strengthening his presence in theater.

Many viewers first recognized him from HBO’s Girls, where he played Marnie’s complicated on-and-off boyfriend, a role that helped introduce him to a wider audience.

Plaza is expecting her first child Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Abbott also earned a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of Captain Yossarian in Hulu’s adaptation of Catch-22, which added to his growing list of achievements.

Although he is often associated with independent films, he has also taken on roles in larger productions, showing flexibility in his career choices.

One of those projects includes a supporting role in the 2023 film Poor Things, where Emma Stone won the Academy Award for Best Actress.

In 2025, Abbott stepped into a lead role in the reboot of Wolf Man, adding a major studio project to his filmography. He also appeared in Kraven the Hunter, part of Sony’s Spider-Man universe, released in the same year.