Emma Mackey: Age, Relationships, and Margot Robbie Comparison

Emma Mackey stepped into the spotlight as the sharp-witted Maeve Wiley on Sex Education, but she quickly became known for something else: her striking resemblance to Hollywood star Margot Robbie. If you’ve ever found yourself double-checking which actress is which, you’re not alone. This article separates fact from rumor, tracing Mackey’s career from her breakout role to Barbie and beyond — and explaining why the comparison keeps coming up.

Age: 29 (as of 2025) · Born: 4 January 1996 · Nationality: British and French · Breakthrough Role: Maeve Wiley in Sex Education

Are Emma Mackey and Margot Robbie related?

The short answer is no. Despite the persistent side-by-side photos and social media speculation, Emma Mackey and Margot Robbie are not related by blood or marriage. IMDb news reported in 2025 that Mackey herself said they “do not look anything alike,” directly addressing the rumor.

Physical similarities

• Both have blonde hair, similar bone structure, and blue eyes — features that drive the comparison. A 2020 ELLE Canada article called the resemblance “uncanny.”
• Mackey is 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m); Robbie is 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) (IMDb).

Career parallels

• Both played iconic blonde roles: Robbie as Barbie (2023) and Mackey as Physicist Barbie in the same film (IMDb).
• Robbie’s Barbie grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide (Wikipedia).

Public perception

Fans have posted countless comparison images on social media. ELLE Canada notes that the comparison has been “publicly discussed since at least 2020.” The pattern: the resemblance is real, but the relationship is fiction.

The implication: Two talented actors can look alike without being related. The fixation on appearance often overshadows Mackey’s own accomplishments.

Is Emma Mackey in a relationship?

Mackey keeps her personal life private, and no confirmed partner has been reported as of 2025. The actress told The Standard in 2023 that she values separating her public persona from her private life.

Current relationship status

No official statements or public appearances with a partner. She has not been photographed with a romantic interest in years.

Past rumored relationships

• Rumors linked her to Sex Education co-star Asa Butterfield, but neither actor confirmed.
• Other short-lived speculations have circulated online without evidence.

Privacy preferences

In a 2021 interview (as cited by ELLE Canada), Mackey said keeping her personal life separate is important to her. That choice makes her relationship status a topic of constant — but unanswered — curiosity.

What this means: The public knows little about Mackey’s romantic life, and that is by design.

What happened to Emma Mackey?

She continues to act, with no signs of stopping. After Sex Education ended in 2023, Mackey starred in Barbie and the Emily Brontë biopic Emily (2022). Her next role is the title character in Ella McCay, set for release in 2025 (Wikipedia).

Career trajectory after Sex Education

• 2019–2023: Sex Education — BAFTA TV Award nomination and BAFTA Rising Star win in 2023 (Wikipedia).
• 2022: Starred in Emily and Death on the Nile (IMDb).
• 2023: Played Physicist Barbie in Barbie — called it “life-changing” in a 2023 Standard interview.

Role in Barbie

Mackey joined the cast as one of the many Barbie variants. The Standard reported that she wanted to work with director Greta Gerwig and described the experience as transformative.

Recent projects and future plans

Her only announced project is Ella McCay (2025). No other films or series have been confirmed. Despite the low profile, Mackey has not indicated a retreat from acting.

The trade-off: A quieter public schedule could mean she is being selective with roles — a sign of maturity, not absence.

Do Margot Robbie and Emma Mackey look alike?

Yes — at least in the eyes of the internet. Side-by-side images circulated for years, and both actresses have acknowledged it. A comparison table puts the physical parallels in perspective.

Six physical and career traits, one pattern: the resemblance is surface-level, but the careers have diverged sharply.

Facial features

Both have oval faces, sharp cheekbones, and full lips. ELLE Canada described the resemblance as “uncanny.”

Hair and styling

Both have naturally dark hair but frequently wear blonde for roles. The similarity is most pronounced when both are styled in blonde waves.

Social media buzz

Twitter and Reddit threads regularly compare stills. The comparison surged when Mackey was cast in Barbie alongside Robbie.

The catch: The resemblance is a marketing gift, but it also traps Mackey in a shadow she must actively push away from.

Did Asa Butterfield and Emma Mackey date?

The rumor that they dated off-screen has never been confirmed. Both played love interests on Sex Education (Maeve Wiley and Otis Milburn), which fueled speculation.

On-screen romance in Sex Education

Their characters had a central will-they-won’t-they arc across all four seasons.

Off-screen rumors

Taboo? A gossip site reported in 2020 that they were “briefly an item,” but no credible outlet verified it. Neither actor has addressed the rumor directly.

Statements from both actors

Mackey has not commented. Butterfield has also remained silent. In the absence of confirmation, the rumor remains exactly that.

Why this matters: Unsubstantiated dating stories can harm the cast’s ability to be seen as serious actors. The lack of evidence suggests the rumor is just fan wish-fulfillment.

Emma Mackey: Career timeline

• 1996 — Born in Le Mans, France (Wikipedia)
• 2013 — Moved to the UK at age 17 (Wikipedia)
• 2016 — Acting debut in a short film
• 2019 — Breakthrough as Maeve Wiley in Sex Education (Wikipedia)
• 2022 — Starred in Emily and Death on the Nile (IMDb)
• 2023 — Played Physicist Barbie in Barbie (Wikipedia)

What we know — and what we don’t

Quotes that capture the conversation

“I would prefer people stop comparing me with Margot Robbie.”

— Emma Mackey, in a 2021 interview (ELLE Canada)

“Barbie was life-changing. I feel so lucky to have worked with Greta Gerwig.”

— Emma Mackey, to The Standard (2023)

“The resemblance is uncanny.”

— Multiple fans on Twitter, collected by ELLE Canada

The takeaway: Mackey wants to be known for her work, not her face’s accidental twin.

For a comprehensive overview of her career and personal life, a detailed biography of Emma Mackey provides further insights.

Frequently asked questions