Nobody wants to be pushed into the family business.
And that’s why Leighton Meester and Adam Brody aren’t forcing their daughter Arlo, 10, and 5-year-old son to join them on the big—or small—screen anytime soon.
“I think they’ve got their own thing going on,” Leighton told E! News’ Will Marfuggi during the premiere of Nobody Wants This season two in Los Angeles Oct. 16, to which Adam added during the joint interview, “I smell some theater in them.”
“But they’re not beating down the door,” The OC alum continued. “They’re not thirsty.”
Adam, 45, and Leighton, 39—who have been married since 2014—kids are taking notes as they’ve tuned into their age-appropriate work.
“Our daughter likes Monte Carlo,” Adam noted of Leighton’s 2011 rom-com, as the Gossip Girl star chimed in, “Which is a movie that I did that’s appropriate for children.”
Their kids have also seen their dad in Shazam, though the duo admitted they aren’t pushing them to tune into their more mature roles like their respective hit teen dramas.
“I wouldn’t stop them from seeing those shows,” Adam said. “But I'm not gonna push them.”
And while they don’t have to worry about their children on set, Leighton and Adam don’t mind sharing the screen with each other, including on season two of the Netflix comedy, which saw the Buccaneers actress make a guest appearance.
“It’s actually some kind of cherished alone time,” Adam revealed about their time on set. “It’s sort of a date night. We’re not being interrupted. Honestly, truly if we work together, we end up getting more one-on-one time in an average day than when we’re not working together.”
For Leighton, she’ll take the break from being mom.
“Work is in many ways easier than parenting from time to time,” she explained said. “You sit to have your coffee, you talk to grown-ups.”
And indeed, the perks of Leighton and Adam on the call sheet aren’t just for them, executive producers Erin Foster and Sara Foster got the sweet end of the deal as well.
“When we do each other’s shows, they know they get us cheap,” Adam quipped, with Leighton adding, “It’s a two-fer.”
To look back at Adam and Leighton’s romance, keep reading…
Out and About
Leighton Meester and Adam Brody showed some sweet PDA while heading to a Mexican restaurant in 2013.
Mums the Word
As romance rumors continued to swirl, the pair declined to publicly comment on the status of their relationship. But you know what they say, a picture's worth a thousand words.
NYC Love
Spotted: After keeping under the radar for months, Meester and Brody resurfaced in New York City together.
He Put a Ring on It
In 2013, news broke that The O.C. actor and the Gossip Girl star were engaged. Nearly a month later, they were photographed stealing a smooch in South Africa.
Wedding Bells
Meester and Brody got married in a super-secretive ceremony in 2014.
Red Carpet Ready
The actress supported her husband at the premiere of his movie Shazam! in 2019. No doubt their daughter, Arlo, loves that her dad is a superhero!
Picture Perfect
Brody previously shared that becoming a father is "the best in every way."
Do Gooders
In their spare time, this couple enjoys giving back to their community.
Co-Stars
After working on 2011's The Oranges, the two once again reunited on the set of Meester's show Single Parents in 2019. In his guest role, Brody played her character's ex.
Proud Parents
While the couple never announced they were expecting baby No. 2, Brody confirmed in September 2020 that Meester gave birth to their second child.
Stylish Pair
The stars dazzle at the 2022 premiere of his show Fleishman Is In Trouble.
XOXO
Meester and Brody also made a super duo at the March 2023 premiere of his movie Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
Movie Night
Hey Upper East Siders, the Blair Waldorf alum and Seth Cohen actor attended the screening of his film American Fiction in December 2023.
A Golden Evening
Meester and Brody celebrate the 2024 Golden Globes at an after-party in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Date Night
And the award for cutest couple at the 2024 SAG Awards goes to...
A Golden Couple
Leighton accompanied Adam, nominated for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy TV Series for his role in Nobody Wants This, at the 82nd Golden Globes held in January 2025.
Date Night at The SAG Awards
The following month, Leighton and Adam stepped out once again for a date night to the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards in February.