Inside the Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner-Smith Lockdown Child War

Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner-Smith’s split has gone from amicable to increasingly tense, especially as the former couple navigates custody arrangements for their three-year-old daughter, Juno Rose Diana Jackson. 

While the Dawson’s Creek alum has largely stayed quiet in the public eye, a source told the Daily Mail that behind the scenes, things have become ‘messy’ – and it’s not just about lawyers and paperwork.

‘The problem with Joshua and Jodie’s relationship is that it started fast and fun and they fell in love very fast,’ the source said. 

‘They were great, but then the COVID-19 shutdown happened, and they had a child during that time. 

‘That’s where things started to change.’

According to the insider, the lockdown forced the couple to spend significantly more time together, which ultimately revealed cracks in their foundation. 

‘They had to hang out with each other more than they usually would and they ended up getting sick of each other,’ the source dished. 

‘They didn’t work on their relationship and just became parents…’

A source close to Joshua Jackson said that his custody battle with Jodie Turner-Smith has become ‘messy’

In fact, Jackson filed a motion and request for an emergency custody order modification after claiming his ex changed their daughter’s (pictured) school location without his permission

The shift in dynamics reportedly created distance – not just emotional, but functional. 

‘They were doing their own thing, and then eventually over time, when Joshua had more time to get back to work, they grew apart,’ the source continued. 

‘And everything got bitter between both of them.’

That bitterness has carried over into their post-divorce reality, particularly when it comes to co-parenting. 

‘Now that they still share a daughter, it is the one tie that keeps them together, and since they can’t stand each other, every time they have to deal with each other, it is just filled with frustration,’ the source said. 

‘Fighting over custody, money and whatever else is such a stress for them both.’

Earlier this year, People confirmed that Turner-Smith filed for divorce after nearly four years of marriage, citing ‘irreconcilable differences.’ 

At the time, insiders suggested the split was mutual and respectful. 

The ex spouses are reported to not be on the same page about how they want to raise their daughter, Juno Rose Diana Jackson

However, the insider speaking to the Daily Mail painted a much bleaker picture. ‘They can’t seem to get on the same page for anything,’ they said. 

‘It looks like they won’t be on the same page for a long time, if at all.’ One of the biggest points of contention seems to be where their child will attend school. 

In fact, Jackson filed a motion and request for an emergency custody order modification after claiming his ex changed their daughter’s school location without his permission. 

In court documents obtained by the Daily Mail, Jackson included: ‘Jodie asserts that it is no big deal to force Juno to start over with a new school for her mother’s convenience.’

The custody battle has been ongoing despite the exes’ divorce being settled earlier this year.

Jackson is set to pay $2,787 a month in child support, but will not be paying spousal support, according to the court documents.

But, according to the same documents, Turner-Smith asked for a lump sum for the mediator fees that she says were accrued in the legal battle over where their daughter will attend school.  

According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, Jackson is set to pay $2,787 a month in child support to Turner-Smith but will not be paying spousal support.

In lieu of that, the Court ordered Jackson to pay two equalization payments for a total of $266,666, according to the documents.

Despite the chaos, the actor is reportedly focused on one priority: his daughter.

‘He is all about protecting his relationship with his daughter,’ the source added. 

‘It takes a lot of work, and he can’t seem to be able to deal with Jodie and vice versa. They are such different people from when they originally fell in love.’

To make matters more challenging, Jackson has reportedly been juggling multiple stressors at once – including the loss of personal property. 

The source revealed that Jackson is still dealing with the aftermath of the California wildfires. 

‘Add that on top of the loss of his marriage and the custody battle he is now involved in – it’s just as difficult and sad as one would expect.’

His professional life isn’t exactly offering much solace either. 

The future of his show Doctor Odyssey is still up in the air – which adds another layer of uncertainty. 

While the show has not been canceled, Deadline reported that it also has not currently been renewed for a new season.  

Despite the mounting pressure, Jackson remains hopeful that time will bring clarity – and ideally, compromise. 

‘Joshua would love to find a respectful compromise but that appears to be very challenging,’ the source explained. 

‘Once they figure out how to like each other a little more that will pay off handsomely for their daughter.’

Meanwhile, another source told the Daily Mail that Turner-Smith has the same priority as her ex-husband, the couple’s daughter.

‘Jodie’s priority is, and has always been, Juno’s well-being – not conflict, not press, and certainly not performative parenting,’ the insider said, adding that Turner-Smith finds the situation ‘shocking and upsetting’. 

For now, though, tensions remain high. ‘The wounds of the breakup are still there,’ the first source said.

‘Some more time is needed to make sense of it all.’ The Daily Mail has contacted reps for Turner-Smith and Jackson for comment.