Joshua Jackson and Lupita Nyong’o CONFIRM romance as they step out holding hands

• Sources confirmed to DailyMail.com that Joshua and Lupita ‘are now a couple’
• Their friendship is said to have ‘blossomed’ following their respective splits
• Joshua’s ex Jodie Turner-Smith, who shares one child with the actor, filed for divorce in October 
• Lupita broke off her romance with TV host Selema Masekela that same month and accused him of ‘deception’

Joshua Jackson put on a PDA-packed display with girlfriend Lupita Nyong’o after sources confirmed exclusively to DailyMail.com that they are dating.

On Wednesday, the new couple took a romantic walk through Joshua Tree National Park located in San Bernardino County, California.

Joshua, 45 — whose wife Jodie Turner-Smith filed for divorce just two months ago — looked absolutely smitten with the Academy Award-winner, 40.

Lupita and her boyfriend of nearly a year Selema Masekela split in October and she claimed it was the result of ‘deception’ that caused her a ‘magnitude of pain.’

During her getaway with Joshua, Lupita was effortlessly beautiful in bright yellow pants and a quirky white top with ‘It’s okay to cry’ written on the front.

She rocked a neon green beanie and had a yellow sweatshirt tied around her waist.

Joshua also had on a beanie for their time in the desert, which he styled with a white long-sleeve shirt and brown pants.

The Fringe star kicked around in sneakers and also brought along a sweatshirt in case the weather took a turn. 

He led the way as he clutched his new girlfriend’s hand. 

Lupita couldn’t help but smile as the pair chatted en route to their destination.

Joshua Tree is a stunning desert in Southern California that is loved by A-list stars, including Beyonce and Miley Cyrus.

Photos of the couple’s getaway come hours after sources dished to DailyMail.com that they are in fact an item.

They first sparked speculation in October when they enjoyed a Janelle Monáe concert together, shortly after their respective splits were announced.

This led to their friendship blossoming into a ‘romance.’ 

‘Things have slowly turned to romance between the two,’ the source said. ‘They have been amazing friends for a long time and Josh didn’t want to ruin that. 

‘But as they’ve hung out more and more and dealt with their breakups, dealing with it together has added another level to their friendship. Now it is a physical relationship. They are a couple.’ 

DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Joshua and Lupita for comment. 

DailyMail.com’s exclusive confirmation comes just a day after Lupita and Joshua were spotted picking up groceries at the high-priced Erewhon marker in Los Angeles.

They drove out of the parking lot together and were joined by  Lupita’s rescue cat YoYo, who could be seen in the backseat. 

It was the first time they’d been seen since their concert outing in October, which occurred just one day before Lupita confirmed her split from Selema, 52 – and one month after Joshua split from Jodie, with whom he shares daughter Juno, three.

At the time of their outing, a source explained to DailyMail.com that the pair were attempting to take things slow as they navigated their recent breakups.

They revealed: ‘Joshua has a type and Lupita definitely fits that to a tee. But they are just friends, it is still a little early for Joshua to start dating again.

‘Could he be an item with Lupita down the road? Without question… They are both still going through it with their recent breakups and still are looking to heal.’

Indeed, sources told DailyMail.com Joshua had been left ‘heartbroken’ over his split from Jodie who filed for divorce after nearly four years, citing ‘irreconcilable differences’.

The actor had not been ‘thrilled’ about the termination of his marriage – but it was made clear by insiders that there was no foul play involved and that their union had simply ‘run its course.’

Meanwhile, Lupita was more vocal about her ‘season of heartbreak’ following the breakdown of her relationship with the TV host and sports commentator – whom she began dating in 2022.

The Oscar-winner waxed lyrical about a ‘break-up’ on Instagram, claiming it was a result of ‘deception’ by her unnamed loved one.

She wrote: ‘There are much more important things going on in the world right now, and my thoughts are with those who are deeply suffering.

‘At this moment, it is necessary for me to share a personal truth and publicly dissociate myself from someone I can no longer trust…

‘I find myself in a season of heartbreak because of a love suddenly and devastatingly extinguished by deception.

‘I am tempted to run into the shadows and hide, only to return to the light when I have regained my strength enough for me to say, “Whatever, my life is better this way.”

‘But I am reminded that the magnitude of the pain I am feeling is equal to the measure of my capacity for love. And so, I am choosing to face the pain, cultivating the courage to meet my life exactly as it is, and trusting that this too shall pass.

‘The promise, they say, is that a tender heart is what gives birth to fearlessness. I hope it’s true…

‘I share this to keep it, and hoping that the knowledge of my experience might be useful to someone else out there experiencing the grip of heartbreak who is poised to try and escape from the pain and miss out on the wisdom that comes from it. #Breakup Let’s face our pain so we don’t spread it.’

Joshua and his ex Jodie first sparked split rumors in September 2022 when they unfollowed each other on social media – after previously sharing multiple loved-up posts.

They then refollowed each other, with Joshua brushing off speculation as he gushed about his wife in a chat with E! News.

The couple started dating in 2018 – two years after the Dr. Death star split from actress Diane Kruger, who has a four-year-old daughter with The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus.

‘She is undeniably one of the most beautiful women on the planet,’ he said. ‘And she always smashes it when she’s on the red carpet. That is truly a wonder to behold.

‘But I will tell you, that there is nothing like waking up in the morning, opening my eyes and seeing her face in the morning.’

Joshua and Jodie went on to tie the knot in August 2019 and welcomed their daughter Juno in April 2020.

Last month, the former couple agreed to joint custody of the youngster.

The Fatal Attraction star responded in legal docs reviewed by The Blast to Jodie’s divorce filing, agreeing that they share ‘irreconcilable differences.’

Jodie had listed September 13, 2023, but Joshua claimed they split 17 days later on September 30. The difference is not expected to impact the progress of the ongoing divorce case.

Joshua said he was also in accord with Jodie, who has starred in films including After Yang, Without Remorse and Murder Mystery 2, on directly following the terms of the prenuptial agreement they made.

However, the Vancouver-born actor, who has appeared in Cruel Intentions, Gossip and One Week, said that he differed with his ex on their stated separation date.

Celebrity divorce lawyer Laura Wasser is representing Jodie. The actress has requested a private judge oversee their settlement, citing privacy concerns.