Is Emily Bett Rickards married? Yes, the Canadian actress best known for playing Felicity Smoak on the hit television series Arrow is married. After years of keeping her romantic life largely out of the public eye, she married businessman and designer Riley Howlett.
Fans spent years wondering about her relationship status, especially given her massive following from the DC television universe. While she values her privacy, major milestones in her personal life have drawn significant public attention. Here is the full story behind her marriage, her husband, and her private life.
The Engagement and Wedding Details
Emily Bett Rickards announced her engagement to Riley Howlett with a heartfelt post on Instagram. The announcement came on January 1, 2026, catching many fans by surprise since she rarely shares details about her dating life.
Months after the engagement announcement, a representative for Rickards confirmed that the couple had officially tied the knot. While the exact wedding date remains private, details of the celebration leaked through social media posts shared by close friends in attendance. Attendees included screenwriter Carina Adly MacKenzie, Netflix social director Jarett Wieselman, and actress Ashley Sutton, who posted glimpses of the festivities on Instagram. Despite the insider photos, Rickards chose to keep official snapshots off her own grid, staying true to her history of low-profile privacy.
Who Is Riley Howlett?
Unlike many figures in the entertainment industry, Emily's husband comes from a background in design, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship. Understanding his professional journey paints a picture of a very hands-on, creative background:
- Education: Riley studied graphic design and artistic composition at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design before moving to Italy to study footwear design at Polimoda. He also earned an Associate Degree in Fashion and Apparel Design from San Diego Mesa College.
- Early Projects: His passion for design began in high school, where he sewed his own skateboarding shoes and eventually organized local workshops and concerts.
- Business Ventures: He has served as the owner of Lonsdale Leather since 2015. He also stepped in to rescue and manage Precision Patterns, a custom clothing manufacturing and pattern-making unit facing closure.
Navigating Privacy in the Spotlight
For years, followers tried to piece together Rickards's love life. During her time on Arrow, internet sleuths frequently linked her to various co-stars or public figures, though none of those rumors ever held weight. Unlike celebrities who broadcast every date on social media, Emily has always drawn a strict line between her work on screen and her life at home.
This commitment to privacy means details about how she and Riley met or when they officially started dating remain scarce. By keeping her relationship away from Hollywood's intense microscope, she managed to build a stable partnership out of the public eye before sharing their engagement with fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Emily Bett Rickards get married?
Emily married Riley Howlett. While the precise wedding date isn't public, her representative confirmed the marriage in July 2026, shortly after her engagement announcement earlier that year.
Who is Emily Bett Rickards's husband?
Her husband is Riley Howlett, a businessman, entrepreneur, and owner of Lonsdale Leather with a background in fashion and apparel design.
Did Emily Bett Rickards leave acting?
After wrapping up her multi-season run on Arrow and appearing in independent projects like Brooklyn, she stepped back from heavy mainstream television scheduling to focus on personal projects, creative endeavors, and her life away from constant filming.
Where is Emily Bett Rickards from?
She was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where she also completed her early training at the Vancouver Film School.
