Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Nine Celebrities Add to London's Growing American Population
More American celebrities are spending a lot of time in London and other parts of the UK.
Some have bought or renovated homes there.
Others may be considering a move because of work, family or relationships.
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively reportedly bought a home in Richmond.
Tom Holland and Zendaya have invested heavily in their London house.
Lena Dunham, Darius Rucker, Josh Hartnett and Janet Jackson already have established UK lives.
London also attracts film and television productions, which can give actors reasons to stay.
Official figures show that more Americans applied for UK citizenship in 2024, but those figures do not show how many were celebrities.
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively reportedly bought a Richmond Hill home for £8 million to £9 million in early 2026.
Tom Holland and Zendaya have reportedly expanded their Richmond home with a two-year renovation, including a cinema, sauna and games room.
America Ferrera, Renée Zellweger and Hugh Jackman are linked to possible or developing UK moves, though reports differ in certainty.
Lena Dunham, Darius Rucker, Josh Hartnett and Janet Jackson already have established UK connections or residences.
More than 6,100 Americans applied for UK citizenship in 2024, a 26 per cent increase from 2023, but no official data tracks celebrity residency applications.
- Who
- Nine American celebrities or celebrity couples, including Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Tom Holland, Zendaya and Hugh Jackman, are discussed.
- What
- The article examines the growing number of American celebrities living in, considering moves to, or maintaining strong connections with London and the UK.
- When
- The moves and reports span several years, with developments reported through 2026; UK citizenship applications rose in 2024.
- Where
- London and other parts of the UK, including Richmond, Hampshire and southwest London.
- Why
- Reported reasons include film and television work, family ties, relationships, privacy and established personal lives in Britain.
- Reported Richmond purchase
- Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively reportedly bought a Richmond Hill home for £8 million to £9 million in early 2026.
- Tom Holland and Zendaya
- Their Richmond property reportedly underwent a two-year renovation adding a cinema, sauna and games room.
- UK production spending
- Film and high-end television production spending reached £5.6 billion in 2024, up 31 per cent from the previous year, according to official British Film Institute statistics.
- American citizenship applicants
- More than 6,100 Americans applied for UK citizenship in 2024.
- Year-on-year increase
- American applications for UK citizenship increased 26 per cent in 2024, with a 40 per cent increase in the final quarter compared with the same quarter in 2023.
- Celebrity-specific data
- No official source cited in the article tracks UK immigration or residency applications by celebrity status.