A Los Angeles judge has largely backed Alice Evans on financial matters while extending a restraining order against her, bringing one of Hollywood’s most contentious divorce battles closer to its conclusion.
Ioan Gruffudd’s long-running legal battle with former wife Alice Evans has moved a step closer to an end after a Los Angeles judge ruled the actor must increase financial support payments.
The ruling comes despite the judge also extending a restraining order against Ioan’s ex-wife following findings that she had subjected him and his wife, Bianca Wallace, to years of harassment.
Ioan, 52, best known for playing Reed Richards in Fantastic Four, as well as starring in Hornblower, Liar, Harrow and Titanic, appeared before the Los Angeles superior court during a nine-day hearing in March to resolve outstanding financial disputes stemming from his separation from Alice, 57.
The pair, whose divorce proceedings have been played out publicly since their split in 2021, share daughters Ella, 16, and Elsie, 12.
The new ruling in the former couple’s case comes after Ioan’s personal life has remained in the headlines following his marriage to Bianca Wallace, 32, in 2025 and the birth of the couple’s first child together later that year.
In a written judgment on Tuesday (04.08.26), Judge Michael J Convey said: “First and foremost, (Alice) committed domestic violence upon Ioan and his wife, Bianca.
“This campaign was found to be relentless and continuing through this trial. And while she stated she recognised her conduct and has started to take responsibility for it – with apology and through professional mental health care – there must be a long history of no violence before this Court can conclude she has taken full responsibility for her conduct.”
Despite those findings, the judge ruled largely in Alice’s favour on financial matters.
Ioan had argued he had overpaid his former wife by approximately $400,000, but after considering evidence from forensic accountants instructed by both parties, the court found the overpayment amounted to about $27,000.
Under the ruling, Ioan must pay Alice 10 percent of his gross income, amounting to approximately $1,862 a month, reflecting the terms of the couple’s pre-marital agreement.
Alice had told the court she had experienced financial hardship following the breakdown of the marriage and that their daughters live with her full-time.
The judge also determined $168,000 held in a Coutts savings account belonged to Alice personally, although he criticised her for failing to disclose the account “in a timely manner”, writing the omission “impaired her credibility”.
Judge Convey also addressed Ioan’s application to end spousal support because of what he described as Alice’s abusive conduct.
He wrote: “There was ample, persuasive and credible evidence that Alice’s conduct had a profoundly negative impact on Ioan’s and Bianca’s emotional state, for several years and continuing. This prevented Ioan from staying fully and gainfully employed to the same extent as he was during the marriage.”
He continued: “Another important and weighty factor was Alice’s lack of sincere and sustained effort over an extended time, to cease the abusive behaviour (she could start by staying off social media).
“She has the benefit of receiving spousal support, while she has very recently engaged in a pattern and campaign of violence against Ioan and Bianca.
“But she was not convicted of a crime, and she is fortunate that she is ‘protected’ by the terms of the PMA (pre marital agreement.)
“There is a strong, public policy argument for the principle that Alice should not benefit – some might argue, profit – from her violence, but the seemingly unfair result must achieve today under the Family Code and by the terms of the PMA contract.”
Alice’s attorney, Janina Verano, argued during the hearing her client’s online harassment began during the aftermath of the Covid pandemic and while she was struggling to come to terms with the end of her marriage.
Janina said: “It was the end of COVID, she was isolated, she was facing the loss of her marriage.”
She added any hope of reconciliation “was crushed” after Alice discovered Ioan had begun a relationship with Bianca, whom he met while working on the television drama Harrow.
Ms Verano said: “She lost her mind, she was devastated.”
She also told the court: “Alice is in a very different place. She has moved on with her life.”
Addressing Alice’s conduct since the restraining order was first imposed in 2022, Ms Verano said: “There are no threats. Alice has deactivated her Twitter account.”
She added although some recent social media posts “talk about what she’s been through… they are not meant to disturb Ioan’s peace. Alice’s conduct has changed quite a bit”.
Alice Evans wins financial battle in new divorce ruling
