Hollyoaks actor Jude Monk McGowan and his fiancée, fellow actor Jessica Hern, are expecting their first child together, with the baby due imminently, according to heartwarming social media posts shared by the couple.
Hern, who is visibly pregnant, announced the news on Instagram, sharing a series of photos that show her cradling her baby bump and snuggling with McGowan, who is holding her bump. The announcement comes three years after the couple revealed their engagement.
Baby News Shared on Social Media
In her Instagram post, Hern wrote: “Since December I’ve been quietly growing a tiny human and silently scribbling into my notes app.” She also gave fans a glimpse into their life in Seoul, South Korea, where they have relocated.
Hern, who is weeks away from giving birth, first discovered the news eight months ago. She also announced a new Substack newsletter titled “Backstage Bump,” which she described as “a brutally honest, hopefully witty depiction of my experience of having a baby in South Korea.” She invited followers to “Come waddle with me from partially baked to fully baked.”
Fans React to Pregnancy Announcement
Fans of McGowan, known for his role as ruthless gangster Liam Donovan in Hollyoaks, flooded the comments section with congratulations. One fan wrote: “Oh my!!! Huge congratulations to you both! Amazing news.” Another posted: “You’re absolutely glowing!! Congrats.”
McGowan has also been sharing snaps with Hern as they await the birth of their baby.
Career Highlights and Upcoming Arrival
McGowan played Liam Donovan in Hollyoaks from 2018 until his character’s dramatic death in 2020, when his sister Grace Black (Tamara Wall) allowed him to fall to his death. The character was involved in murder, blackmail, and a twisted hostage scene, targeting villagers including Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas), Maxine Minniver (Nikki Sanderson), James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan), and his own sister.
Speaking about his exit at the time, McGowan said: “My time on Hollyoaks has been incredible. I’ve learned so much about the crafts of acting for camera.” After leaving Hollyoaks, he guest-starred in the first series of Paramount+’s MobLand in 2025, playing Tim Ellis.
The couple’s new arrival is expected any day, marking a new chapter for the pair as they prepare to welcome their first child.
