Three children, Julius, Frances, and Arthur, are being raised by Morena Baccarin and Ben McKenzie together. Their initial meeting took place in 2006 when Baccarin guest-starred on McKenzie’s show, The O.C. A decade later, they reunited on-screen when Baccarin joined the cast of Gotham, where McKenzie was also a leading actor.
Although their characters shared a romantic spark, their off-screen relationship blossomed into love. Now married, the couple parents Frances and Arthur, alongside Baccarin’s son Julius from her previous marriage.
The pair embrace their roles as parents with enthusiasm. McKenzie shared his excitement about fatherhood in 2015 while anticipating the arrival of their daughter, stating, “It’s something that I’ve wanted for a long time,” during a chat with PEOPLE.
Morena Baccarin and Ben McKenzie first crossed paths in 2006 on The O.C. and reunited a decade later on Gotham, where their on-screen chemistry turned into a real-life romance
He seemed to adjust to his parenting responsibilities effortlessly, as Baccarin praised his skills in a 2018 interview. “It’s wonderful to watch him every day with our kids,” she expressed. “I couldn’t ask for a better partner.”
Maintaining their children’s privacy is a priority for Baccarin and McKenzie; they often share family moments on social media while ensuring their kids’ faces remain hidden. They still enjoy giving glimpses into their parenting journey with their daughter and sons.
Here’s what to know about the kids of Morena Baccarin and Ben McKenzie: Julius, Frances, and Arthur.
Julius Setta Chick, 11
The couple’s eldest son, Julius Setta Chick, was born on October 22, 2013, to Baccarin and her former spouse, Austin Chick. Following their separation, Baccarin and Chick received joint custody in 2018. Since then, Julius has predominantly lived in New York City with his mother. “I just want him to know that he’s loved,” Baccarin shared with PEOPLE in 2015.
When Julius was about two years old, he became a big brother. Baccarin recounted how he was assisting during her pregnancy with Frances. “It’s more relaxed; you don’t have time to sit there and obsess,” she noted to PEOPLE in 2015. “With my first one, I felt like it was like, ‘Oh, what’s happening this week?’ Now, you’re just focusing on your toddler, getting to work, and trying to make ends meet. And then it goes by.”
During the same interview, she revealed Julius’s enthusiasm for having a sibling. “He talks about the little baby all the time and talks about what things he’s gonna show the baby — very interesting things, like his books and the couch and pictures,” she added.
Reflecting on her return to work shortly after Julius’s birth, Baccarin admitted feeling exhausted and apprehensive. “I wanted to spend every second with him,” she wrote on Instagram in 2018, explaining how she brought him to the set. “This one goes out to all the moms out there who feel the constant pull between work and children. There are no right answers.”
Baccarin typically keeps Julius and her other children off social media, but she shares moments that suggest a close bond among them. In a holiday photo from 2022, Julius was seen playing in the snow with his siblings, and in another image, he held hands with his brother.
Frances Laiz Setta Schenkkan, 8
The couple welcomed their daughter, Frances Laiz Setta Schenkkan, on March 2, 2016. About seven months after her birth, McKenzie discussed their daughter on the talk show Harry, revealing that she was named after his mother. “I love that name,” he said, mentioning that they call her Frankie for short.
As Frances has grown, her parents have shared her milestones, including her early speech development. “She’s talking quite a bit, and it’s very sweet,” Baccarin told PEOPLE in 2018. “She sounds a little like a caveman at the moment… It’s very sweet, and it’s so amazing to watch language spark in a little 2-year-old.”
Fast forward to now, Frances has shown a growing interest in her parents’ acting careers.
In May 2023, McKenzie appeared on Welcome to the O.C., Bitches, a podcast hosted by Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke, where he disclosed that he allowed then-seven-year-old Frances to watch some episodes of The O.C., feeling envious of her exposure to Baccarin’s work.
He soon realized it was a “bad idea,” joking, “[Frances] of course loves it… I had to cut it off after two episodes because I was like, ‘Oh, my God, I forgot about the smoking.’” Despite wanting to watch more, McKenzie found it “adorable” to share the experience with his daughter, albeit a bit “weird.”
Arthur Schenkkan, 3
The family’s youngest member, Arthur, was born on March 9, 2021. Baccarin announced Arthur’s arrival on Instagram with an adorable close-up photo of the newborn, writing, “2021 is looking up. Welcome to the world, Arthur. Trust us, you haven’t missed much yet.”
McKenzie shared the same image with the caption, “Welcome to the world, Arthur. Gotta say, your timing is impeccable.❤️.” Three months prior, Baccarin revealed her pregnancy during an appearance on The Talk, joking about McKenzie’s appearance with nail polish and costume jewelry, crediting Frances for his look before showcasing her baby bump and claiming, “I think that date was pretty successful.”
The trio of kids can indeed be a challenge. In March 2022, when asked how she balanced motherhood and her career, Baccarin candidly admitted, “I’m a disaster all the time. I’m happy to have clothes on right now, but people help me. They were zipping me up and putting stuff on my face.”
She acknowledged the difficulties but remained optimistic, believing things would improve. “I just have to get through these next five years, and then it’ll become a little bit more feasible and enjoyable.”
As she continues to relish watching her children grow, Baccarin’s efforts are recognized. “Happy Mother’s Day to our fearless leader,” McKenzie praised on Instagram in 2023.
