Hilarie Burton Says ‘All the Moms’ at Her Kids’ School Have a ‘Huge Crush’ on Husband Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Exclusive)

Hilarie Burton Reveals Friends’ Mums Crushing on Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Hilarie Burton, known for her roles in shows like “One Tree Hill,” recently opened up about the widespread crushes her husband, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, has been garnering from the mothers of her children’s school friends. Burton shared in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE that she has been quite amused by the attention her husband has been receiving, especially since he started hosting NBC’s latest reality show, Destination X.

Burton, 42, and Morgan, 59, have been a couple since 2009 and share two children, Gus, 15, and George Virginia, 7. The actress mentioned that she has been receiving messages from high school friends who confess that their wives or mothers have developed a significant crush on Morgan. She even noted that friends from Wilmington, NC, where she lived during her time on The CW series, have reached out with similar sentiments.

Embracing the adoration directed towards her partner, Burton expressed, “[They] should [have a crush]. He’s great.” Interestingly, Morgan himself admitted to some initial reservations about taking on the role of host on Destination X, as he felt he did not fit the traditional host mold like Ryan Seacrest. However, Burton played a crucial role in convincing him to step out of his comfort zone and try something new.

Known for his portrayal of the character Negan in “The Walking Dead” universe, Morgan’s hosting gig on Destination X allowed viewers to see a different side of him. Burton praised her husband’s versatility, highlighting that his real-life persona is far removed from the tough and menacing characters he often plays on screen. Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Hilarie Burton also recently worked together on “The Walking Dead: Dead City,” where Burton reprised her role as Negan’s wife, Lucille.

Their collaboration on the show took on an emotional note as they filmed shortly after the passing of Morgan’s father in July 2024. Burton shared that it was a challenging episode to shoot, but Morgan managed to channel his grief into his performance while delivering a compelling performance.

Looking ahead, Burton expressed optimism about the possibility of returning to the show as Lucille, hinting at a dynamic shift in the relationship between her character and Negan. Despite the uncertainties surrounding future projects, the couple’s on-screen chemistry remains strong, with Burton mentioning that any opportunity to work with her husband is always met with enthusiasm and a positive attitude.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s appearance on Destination X and the couple’s joint efforts on “The Walking Dead: Dead City” have further cemented their standing as a talented duo in the entertainment industry. While the future holds potential surprises for their professional collaborations, fans can continue to enjoy their on-screen chemistry across various projects.