Fans of Criminal Minds might be surprised to hear that Zach Gilford and Kiele Sanchez, who played a married couple on the show, are now ending their real-life marriage. After 12 years together, the couple is estranged, with Gilford officially filing for divorce on Friday.
According to new legal documents obtained by TMZ, the actor, best known for his role as Matt Saracen on Friday Night Lights, cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split. Gilford did not specify a date of separation, leaving it open-ended in the documents, though he did confirm that it was a decision that had been brewing for some time.
From On-Screen Romance to Real-Life Separation
Zach and Kiele, who married in December 2012, have two children together — 7-year-old Zeppelin and 4-year-old Revel. Despite their divorce, Zach is requesting joint legal and physical custody of their children, seeking to share the responsibility of raising them.
Interestingly, the two starred alongside each other in Criminal Minds, where Zach portrayed the infamous serial killer Elias Voit, while Kiele played his character’s wife in a recurring role on the show. The irony of their on-screen marriage now mirroring their real-life separation adds a layer of complexity to this high-profile breakup.
Spousal Support and Custody
In addition to requesting joint custody, Gilford has checked the box for spousal support, which could indicate a smoother separation process, depending on the specifics of their financial arrangements. It’s still unclear whether the couple had a prenuptial agreement in place, which may influence the division of assets.
A Long Road Ahead
For now, it remains to be seen how the divorce will play out, especially as both parents work toward maintaining an amicable co-parenting relationship for the sake of their young children. Fans of both actors will likely continue to follow their journeys, hoping for a peaceful resolution after this unexpected turn of events.
