Debra Messing has split from Will Chase.
The ‘Smash’ co-stars – who met on the set of the musical drama series – have gone their separate ways after almost three years of dating but will remain in contact as "close friends".
A representative for the 46-year-old actress told Us Weekly magazine: "Debra Messing and Will Chase have ended their two-and-a-half year relationship but remain close friends."
Though the pair didn’t speak much about their relationship, Debra – who split from husband Daniel Zelman, the father of her 10-year-old son Roman – previously revealed she had a lot of "fun" working on ‘Smash’ with Will, 44, and their other co-star Katharine McPhee.
She said soon after she and Will started dating: "The amount of fun I’m having on this show is so ridiculous — off the charts already.
"The cast is so accomplished, so committed."
And their romance didn’t come as a surprise to the cast and crew of the Broadway drama.
Director Michael Mayer said: "On Broadway, we call it a ‘showmance’. That’s where people meet and fall in love.
"I don’t know where Debra and Will would have met [otherwise]. So ‘Smash’ brought them together. And the context of their onscreen relationship, I’m sure that triggered a lot."
Since ‘Smash’ was cancelled in spring 2013, Debra has gone on to work on ‘The Mysteries of Laura’, which debuted last month, while Will – who has teenage daughters, Daisy and Gracie, from his first marriage – has a recurring role on ‘Nashville’.
Debra Messing and Will Chase split
