Zach Gilford & Liana Liberato: Inside Their New On-Set Romance
A new romance has emerged from the set of Criminal Minds, and it involves two of its stars. Zach Gilford, 43, known for his role as the complex villain Elias Voit, and Liana Liberato, 30, who recently joined the cast, are officially dating. The news broke just months after Gilford’s separation from his wife of 12 years, Kiele Sanchez. This development has sparked numerous questions from fans about the timeline, the actors’ careers, and what this new chapter holds.
Table of Contents
This article will cover everything you need to know about Zach Gilford and Liana Liberato’s relationship. We’ll explore how they met, the details of Gilford’s recent divorce, and answer the most frequently asked questions about their lives and careers.
How Did Zach Gilford and Liana Liberato Meet?
The story of their romance began on the set of Criminal Minds: Evolution. Gilford has been a prominent figure on the show since 2022, playing the serial killer Elias Voit. Liberato joined the cast in 2024 for season 17, portraying a character named Jade Waters.
According to an insider, the relationship is “fairly new,” and they started dating after working together on the show. Their first public appearance as a couple was at the People and InStyle Drive-By Party in Las Vegas on November 21, 2025. A source confirmed that they attended the event together, marking a new phase in their relationship.
Zach Gilford’s Separation from Kiele Sanchez
The news of Gilford’s new relationship comes seven months after he filed for divorce from actress Kiele Sanchez in April 2025, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The couple had been married for 12 years and share two children, a daughter born in 2017 and a son born in 2020.
Interestingly, Sanchez also had a role on Criminal Minds: Evolution, playing Sydney Voit, the wife of Gilford’s character. In an August 2024 interview, Gilford spoke about the challenges of working with his then-wife on such dark material. “It’s harder because I don’t want to hold a gun to my wife’s head,” he explained. “The nature of these scenes were pretty gross.” In a twist of fate, Sanchez’s final episode on the show was the very same one in which Liana Liberato made her debut.
Who is Zach Gilford? A Look at His Career and Life
Zachary Michael Gilford is an American actor born on January 14, 1982, in Evanston, Illinois. This makes him 43 years old as of late 2025. Standing at approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, Gilford has built an impressive career in both television and film.
Notable Roles and Filmography
Many fans know Zach Gilford from his breakout role as quarterback Matt Saracen in the beloved TV series Friday Night Lights, where he starred from 2006 to 2011. His portrayal of the sensitive and determined high school student earned him critical acclaim. At the beginning of the series, Gilford was in his mid-20s.
His career extends far beyond that iconic role. Here are some of his other significant projects:
- Good Girls: He played Gregg, a recurring character who had a complicated relationship with Annie Marks.
- The Midnight Club and Midnight Mass: Gilford became a familiar face in Mike Flanagan’s Netflix horror universe.
- L.A.’s Finest: He starred alongside Jessica Alba and Gabrielle Union.
- Criminal Minds: Evolution: He plays Elias Voit, the primary antagonist known as “Sicarius.” He did not appear in the original run of Criminal Minds but joined for the revival.
- Other appearances: Gilford has also had roles in Grey’s Anatomy, Kingdom, and the film The Purge: Anarchy with his now-estranged wife, Kiele Sanchez.
Despite his extensive work, Gilford has not been in films like Road Trip or The Bourne Identity. Questions about him singing are also common; while he has acted in roles that involved music, he is not primarily known as a singer.
Getting to Know Liana Liberato
Liana Daine Liberato, born on August 20, 1995, is a 30-year-old American actress from Galveston, Texas. She began her career as a child actress and has steadily built a diverse portfolio of roles.
Liberato made her television debut in 2005 on an episode of Cold Case. Since then, she has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including:
- Based on a True Story
- Scream VI
- Light as a Feather
- Banana Split
Before her relationship with Gilford, Liberato kept her dating life largely out of the public eye. Her recent appearance with him marks her first high-profile public romance.
Answering Your Top Questions
Let’s dive into some of the most common questions people have about Zach Gilford.
Who is Zach Gilford married to?
Zach Gilford was married to actress Kiele Sanchez for 12 years. He filed for divorce in April 2025. As of November 2025, he is dating his Criminal Minds co-star, Liana Liberato.
How did Zach Gilford and Kiele Sanchez meet?
They met in 2010 while co-starring in the television pilot for The Matadors. They married in December 2012.
What is Zach Gilford doing now?
Currently, Zach Gilford is starring as the main antagonist, Elias Voit, in the Paramount+ series Criminal Minds: Evolution. He is also navigating his new relationship with Liana Liberato.
What happened to Zach Gilford’s face?
In late 2024, Gilford posted shocking photos of his swollen face on social media. The look was the result of extensive prosthetic makeup for a role, not a real injury or health issue. The transformation made him nearly unrecognizable and showcased the incredible work of special effects makeup artists. For a flawless, camera-ready complexion without the drama of prosthetics, a product like the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder helps create a smooth, poreless look.
Does Zach Gilford have a stutter?
No, Zach Gilford does not have a stutter in real life. His acclaimed portrayal of a character with a stutter in the horror film There’s Something Wrong with the Children was a testament to his acting ability.
A Red-Carpet Ready Look
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As this new Hollywood romance unfolds, fans will be watching closely. Both Zach Gilford and Liana Liberato have busy careers and complex personal lives, but their connection, forged on the set of a high-stakes drama, is just beginning.