Zac Affleck has issued another public apology to estranged wife Jen Affleck, acknowledging the harm his behavior caused during their marriage. The 30-year-old shared his latest statement on Instagram Stories on November 11.
Jen, 27, filed for divorce in Utah on November 3 after seven years of marriage. They share three children and are expecting a fourth while working through their separation.
The message came one day before the November 12 premiere of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County. The Hulu spinoff follows Jen’s move to Southern California and a new group of women outside the original Utah cast.
Zac said he did not film for the first season and had not seen its episodes or previews. He planned to watch alongside viewers, describing the production period as an especially difficult time in their relationship.
Zac Describes Private Apologies and Daily Conversations
In the statement reported by PEOPLE, Zac addressed the online discussion surrounding his family. “There is no excuse for the moments where I failed to show her the kindness, respect, and compassion she deserves,” he wrote.
He said he had acknowledged his mistakes directly to Jen and apologized privately. According to his account, they speak every day and are working toward a respectful relationship as coparents, even while their personal difficulties continue to play out publicly.
Zac also said he wanted to avoid causing Jen additional stress and was thinking about what their children might eventually read online. He said he wanted them to understand that both parents loved them and that he was committed to becoming a better father and coparent.
His Earlier Apology Followed Jen’s Videos
On November 6, Zac posted a TikTok montage of happier moments from their relationship. “I married my dream girl, and I messed it up,” he wrote in the caption, apologizing for the way he had spoken to Jen and for failing to make changes she needed.
That post followed Jen’s response to his description of himself as her biggest supporter. She shared older footage showing him criticizing her appearance after childbirth while she was making a video. Another clip captured a disagreement over laundry and clean towels. Zac said the appearance-related recording was from 2022 and acknowledged that his remarks should never have been made.
Jen later discussed releasing the clips during a November 10 Dancing with the Stars backstage livestream hosted by Ezra Sosa and Hailey Bills. Asked whether she intended to share more, she admitted she had been “a little petty” and said she was going through a difficult period.
Jen Explains What Prompted Her Decision
In a November 10 interview with Us Weekly, Jen identified her pregnancy as a turning point. “Is this the type of relationship I want this child to look up to?” she recalled asking herself.
When she realized her answer was no, Jen said, she knew she needed to make a change. She described preparing for another baby as both a reason for leaving and something that made the decision especially difficult.
Jen believes reality television accelerated that process. Filming and watching her life onscreen brought problems into sharper focus, she explained, making her confront issues in front of a large audience. She said she would eventually have reached the same decision without the show, but it would have taken longer.
Orange County Introduces a New Cast
The new cast includes Aspyn Ovard, Bobbi Althoff, Avery Woods and Ashleigh Pease, alongside Jordan McClanahan, Madison Bontempo, McCall DaPron and Salomé Andrea. The series explores the women’s differing relationships with faith, family and their public lives as influencers.
Hulu released all eight episodes together. The season is available on Hulu and through Hulu on Disney+ for U.S. bundle subscribers, with international availability on Disney+.