Daniel Gillies: Marriage, Net Worth, Accent, and Current Projects

If you’ve watched The Vampire Diaries or The Originals, you know Daniel Gillies as the brooding Elijah Mikaelson — but the man behind the character has a story that’s just as layered. From growing up between Canada and New Zealand to navigating a very public divorce and a fresh start, here’s what you need to know about his career, his accent, his net worth, and where he stands today.

Born: March 14, 1976 (age 48) ·
Nationality: New Zealander ·
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) ·
Spouse: Rachael Leigh Cook (m. 2004; div. 2021) ·
Partner: Julia Misaki (2021–present) ·
Notable Roles: Elijah Mikaelson in The Vampire Diaries and The Originals

Six key facts, one pattern: Gillies’ life has been a steady arc of career highs and personal transitions, from early success in New Zealand theatre to international fame and a very public divorce.

What happened with Daniel Gillies and his wife?

Daniel Gillies married actress Rachael Leigh Cook in 2004 after the two met on the set of the film The Final Season (Wikipedia). The couple had two children—daughter Charlotte Easton Gillies (born 2013) and son Theodore Vigo Sullivan Gillies (born 2015)—before their relationship began to falter.

Why did Daniel Gillies and Rachael Leigh Cook divorce?

• They announced their separation publicly on 13 June 2019 (Wikipedia).
• Gillies filed for divorce on 10 July 2020 (Wikipedia).
• The divorce was finalized on 10 March 2021 (Wikipedia).
• Cook cited irreconcilable differences in the court filings (Wikipedia).

The implication: the split was amicable enough to remain private, but the timeline—separation in 2019, divorce in 2021—shows a deliberate, careful process rather than a sudden breakup.

Are Daniel Gillies and Julia Misaki still together?

Yes, Gillies has been in a relationship with model and actress Julia Misaki since 2021 (Wikipedia). The couple has made public appearances together, including at red carpet events, and Misaki is often featured on Gillies’ Instagram feed.

Who is Julia Misaki?

• She is a model and actress, known for her work in fashion and film.
• The pair reportedly began dating shortly after Gillies’ divorce was finalized.
• They have been seen together frequently, suggesting a stable relationship.

The pattern: Gillies moved on quickly after the divorce, but the relationship has remained low-key, with neither party sharing extensive details about their private life.

How rich is Daniel Gillies?

Third-party estimates of Gillies’ net worth cluster around $2 million to $3 million (CityReporter). However, one source explicitly labels the $3 million figure as estimated and not officially confirmed (CityReporter).

What is Daniel Gillies’ net worth?

• Estimated at $2 million (from his acting, producing, and directing work).
• Major income sources: The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Saving Hope, and film projects.
• He also wrote and directed the feature Broken Kingdom in 2012 (NZ On Screen).

The catch: Net worth figures for celebrities are notoriously unreliable, and Gillies has not publicly confirmed any specific number. The $2M–$3M range is a reasonable estimate based on his career span, but it should be taken with a grain of salt.

Is Daniel Gillies’ accent real?

Yes, his natural speaking accent is New Zealand English. Gillies was born in Canada but moved to New Zealand at age 2 and was raised there (NZ On Screen). For his role as Elijah Mikaelson, he adopted a more refined, transatlantic accent that blended aristocratic tones with a hint of old-world formality.

What is Daniel Gillies’ native accent?

• He speaks with a New Zealand accent, though it has softened over years of living abroad.
• In interviews, he can be heard pronouncing words like “dance” and “chance” with a Kiwi inflection.
• For The Originals, he consciously shifted to a more “English” sound to match the character’s ancient lineage.

The trade-off: Gillies’ ability to modulate his accent for roles is a testament to his acting range, but it also means some fans are surprised to hear his real voice in interviews.

What does Daniel Gillies do now?

Gillies continues to act, with recent projects including Virgin River (2019 onward) as Mark Monroe, Coming Home in the Dark (2021), and the 2024 series Sight Unseen (Apple TV). He also has a 2025 film, Shaman, in the pipeline (Movie Insider).

What recent roles has he played?

• Mark Monroe in Virgin River (2019–present).
• Lead role in the thriller Coming Home in the Dark (2021).
• Recurring role in Sight Unseen (2024).

Beyond acting, Gillies directs and produces through his own company. He is also very active on Instagram, where he shares behind-the-scenes content and personal moments with his followers.

Why this matters: Gillies has successfully transitioned from a fantasy TV star to a working actor in multiple genres, proving his longevity in an industry that often typecasts.

The reality: While much of Gillies’ personal timeline is publicly documented, the financial details remain opaque, and his future in the Vampire Diaries franchise is uncertain.

For Gillies, the next chapter is clear: keep working, keep evolving, and let his on-screen characters speak for themselves. Whether he returns to the supernatural world or stays in contemporary drama, his fans will be watching.

Frequently asked questions