The Walking Dead’s Tom Payne Welcomes Twins With Wife Jennifer Åkerman

Tom Payne is a twin dad now. 

The Walking Dead actor announced that he and his wife of three years, Jennifer Åkerman, have welcomed their second and third child into the family—in addition to their 2-year-old son Harrison. 

"We are overjoyed to share the news that on April 1st, 2024, we welcomed twins into our family," the couple said in a statement to People. "An entirely unexpected and wonderful surprise." 

And the couple—who first began dating in 2013 before getting engaged in 2018—are thrilled at their growing family, but shared that their son is perhaps even more so. 

"Harrison is over the moon to have not one but two new siblings," Tom added in a statement. "Jennifer and I have joked that he had something to do with this because there's nothing he likes more than a house full of people."

News of the couple's identical twins—whose names and sexes have not yet been revealed—also comes amid the premiere of their new podcast, California Dreamin', in which they'll detail their lives as parents—and their unexpected twin pregnancy.

As they explained, Tom and Jennifer were hoping to expand their family by one child, and were shocked by their package deal—as twins don't run in either of their families. 

"We discovered we are having twins so that changed our perspective on pretty much everything," Tom said in their debut podcast episode April 17. "It's going to be a very unique journey for our whole family which I'm really excited for." 

And Jennifer added that while she wasn't expending doubles, she knew her pregnancy was going to be significant early on.

As she put it, "I knew the moment we conceived the second child, I was like, ‘We did something now.'"

Read on for more celebrities who have expanded their families this year.

The Walking Dead alum Tom Payne and his wife Jennifer announced they welcomed identical twins on April 1, 2024. 

“We are overjoyed to share the news that on April 1st, 2024, we welcomed twins into our family,” the couple said in a statement. “An entirely unexpected and wonderful surprise.” 

The duo also share a son, Harrison, who was born in 2022. 

Big Time Rush member Kendall and his wife Mica announced that they have welcomed their first child together, a baby girl named Maple.

The couple shared the news in a joint Instagram post March 22, posting photo of Maple as well as one of Kendall and Mica posing with their baby girl.

The married Revenge alumni welcomed their second daughter, Rio Rose, on March 12.

The Love is Blind and Bachelorette alums welcomed their son, Heath Orion Horstmann, in March.

"Our lives are brighter, fuller, and forever better," they wrote in their announcement. "Thank you for all of the love and well wishes, Heath has so many people who love him. We're parents!"

Katie Couric became a grandmother after her eldest daughter, Ellie Monahan, welcomed her first baby with her husband, a son named John Albert.

"Mom and Dad (Ellie and Mark) are over the moon (it was a full moon)," she wrote on Instagram March 24. "I am thrilled to have my first grandchild, Carrie can't wait to be a cool Aunt and Molner is enjoying handing out cigars. We feel so blessed."

There's something about this family, as the Good Charlotte rocker and the Charlie's Angels alum welcomed their second child—a baby boy named Cardinal Madden.

"He is awesome," they share in a joint Instagram post on March 22, "and We are all so happy he is here!"

The “Titanium” artist and Adonai actress shared that they welcomed their first baby together, Cyan.

“Love is in the air,” David and Jessica wrote in a joint Instagram post March 17. “Welcome Cyan.”

The rapper announced the arrival of her daughter Kali Love on March 15. 

The former Bachelor contestant and  San Francisco 49ers linebacker welcomed their first baby, a son named Beau Anthony, on March 7. 

The couple announced the news on Instagram March 11, and noted in the caption that it was the “best day of our lives.”

Princess Diana's niece celebrated Mother's Day in the U.K. by sharing she and her husband privately welcomed their first baby.

“It’s the joy of my life to be your mummy, little one. I love you unconditionally," she captioned her March 10 Instagram post. "Happy Mother’s Day to those who celebrate today."

Pitch Perfect star Adam Devine and wife Chloe Bridges shared that they welcomed their first baby, son Beau Devine, on Feb. 16.

The Wonder Woman star announced on March 6 that she and her husband had welcomed their fourth baby, a daughter named Ori. According to the actress, the name means "my light" in Hebrew.

TLC singer Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas is officially a grandmother after her son and wife welcomed their baby girl on March 2.

Ted Lasso's Brendan Hunt welcomed his second son with fianceé Shannon Nelson on March 1. The 51-year-old announced on Instagram, “Say hello to Archibald Felix Nelson Hunt (Archie will do), born Friday March 1st, coming in at 9+lbs. He’s in perfect health, and his weary hero of a mother is recovering peacefully."

On Feb. 29, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott welcomed his first child, daughter MJ, with girlfriend Sarah Jane Ramos. 

On Feb. 27, the former Victoria's Secret Angel and Snap Inc. CEO announced the couple welcomed their third baby, a son named Pierre Kerr Spiegel.

On Feb. 23, Harry Styles' older sister announced she and her partner of nine years, Michal Mylnowski, had welcomed a baby girl. The 33-year-old wrote on Instagram, "Took some time off to ensure the safe arrival of our baby girl, who is adored by her whole family."

Two years after the death of their son Elliot, the Siesta Key star and husband Ismael "Ish" Soto welcomed baby girl Sunday Christina Soto.

Their second son, Boone Joseph Russell, arrived on Feb. 13, with mom noting he came "a week before his due date. 8 pounds 3 oz of heaven. Hearts overflowing."

On Feb. 9, the retired NFL star and country singer welcomed their fourth baby together, a son named Denver Calloway Decker. As she shared on Instagram a week later, "Our beautiful boy is here."

In his first interview in years, The Big Bang Theory actor revealed to Architectural Digest he’s now married and that he and his wife welcomed baby girl Oona Evelena.

The Bachelor Nation alum and his fiancée welcomed baby girl River Rose Viall Feb. 2: "Named after Natalie's great grandmother and niece…the best part of life starts now."

The Big Brother alum gave birth to twin girls Sage Martin Murphy and Sela James Murphy in January, she exclusively told E! News. 

"Since my wife, Jamie and the girls took my last name, we wanted to honor Jamie's full birth name in both of their names," Christie explained. "'James' after Jamie and 'Martin' after her maiden name. It feels special and right!"

Two years after the death of his baby girl, The Challenge alum welcomed a son with a friend he had been romantically involved with.

"Aliyas Diamond Cain - 16.01.24, 4:32am, 9lbs 3oz," he wrote. "I will love you, appreciate you, guide you and protect you with all of my heart, for the rest of my life. & you will have the most beautiful guardian angel heaven holds watching over you and protecting you too." 

The Bachelor alum welcomed her third baby, her first with her husband, in late January.

"She's finally here," she wrote on Instagram at the time, noting they named the little one Rosie. "1.24.24 at 1:40pm in room 42."

Their baby girl joins big sisters Kinsley, 11, and Charlie, 10, who Amanda shares with ex-husband Nick Buonfiglio.

Nico Michael Phelps entered the world on Jan. 16, joining his three older brothers Boomer, 7, Beckett, 5, and Maverick, 4.

The Teen Mom 2 star officially became a mom of seven after she welcomed a baby boy and a baby girl with boyfriend Elijah Scott in January.

The YouTube couple welcomed a baby boy in January.

"our little guy arrived last week and everyone is happy and healthy," they wrote on Instagram Jan. 21. "we feel like the luckiest people in the world. we love you, Otis."

Alongside a black-and-white photo of their baby's feet, the actor and former Miss World America winner announced the arrival of their first baby together, Shepherd Lawrence Duhamel.

Josh is also dad to son Axl, born in 2013, with ex Fergie.

"Our worlds have been forever changed," the couple wrote on Instagram Jan. 10, announcing the arrival of their daughter Ella Reine Palmer. "Our hearts are overflowing with love and gratitude."