Meet the Parents! Smitten Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost Get Serious

Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost are "very much in love," says a friend

Nine months after filing for divorce from French husband Romain Dauriac, Scarlett Johansson is getting serious with her new leading man, Saturday Night Live star and writer Colin Jost.

The couple celebrated Johansson’s birthday together with an intimate dinner at 1700 House in the Hamptons last week — plus a friend of Jost’s says that the pair have already met each other’s families. “They’re very much in love. It’s serious,” says the friend. “They’re both very respectful of each other’s careers and very supportive. They’re super cute together.”

Although the actress, 33, went on dates with “a few guys” after her split from Dauriac – she stepped out with Hollywood lawyer Kevin Yorn and was spotted dining with celeb chef Bobby Flay – she is ready to take things to the next level with Jost, 35, who previously dated fellow comedian and Harvard grad Rashida Jones for three years.

“She would go dates with Colin and be very excited after,” says another source. “It took awhile for them to be exclusive, but they are now. Scarlett is very happy with Colin.”

An industry source adds that while “Scarlett likes to be in love and has not changed a bit in that area, Colin is good for her because she likes smart men, especially writer types. She is a very bright girl and always searching for that perfect match.”

Joe Schildhorn/BFA/REX/Shutterstock;Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

The two were first spotted kissing at an SNL afterparty in May – months after Johansson’s March divorce filing from Dauriac, which was finalized in September. The former couple share joint custody of their daughter, 2-year-old Rose Dorothy.

“Being a parent is good for Scarlett,” notes the industry source. “She is now super busy with [motherhood] and her work. Now Colin fits into her world.”

Although the couple has tried to keep their romance low-key, they don’t shy away from PDA and have been frequently photographed together holding hands or kissing in NYC and the Hamptons. A friend of Jost’s admits that he “was always attracted to [Johansson] every time she came around the show,” but that he’s unaffected by his new relationship and the extra attention he’s received from it. “Colin is very smart, down to earth, witty, thoughtful. He’s hardworking and really dedicated,” says the Jost pal. “He’s just a nice, normal average guy. He probably was like, ‘How did this happen?'”

For now, the twosome are happily exploring this new stage in their relationship and trying to keep out of the spotlight. Says the industry source, “she is interested in Colin and having a great time with him.”

— with reporting by Pernilla Cedenheim and Linda Marx