Gracie Abrams makes red carpet debut with Paul Mescal at BAFTAs, shares kiss

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• A Major Moment for Hollywood’s Most Private Couple
• Fashion Moments That Proved They’re in Sync
• Paul’s Third BAFTA Nomination and Hamnet’s Historic Run
• From Secret Dating to Instagram Official to Red Carpet Official
• Will This Red Carpet Debut Change Everything for the Couple?
  • Sources

Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal have made their official red carpet debut tonight at the 2026 BAFTAs. The couple shared a cheeky kiss in front of cameras, marking a major moment for their previously private relationship. This is their first formal public appearance together since quietly dating for over a year.

A Major Moment for Hollywood’s Most Private Couple

For over a year, Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal kept their romance under wraps. They were occasionally spotted by paparazzi together but never appeared on a formal red carpet. Tonight changed all that. Walking hand-in-hand at the Royal Festival Hall, the 30-year-old Irish actor and the 26-year-old singer-songwriter made their feelings clear with an affectionate kiss captured by photographers. The moment felt especially significant given their carefully guarded privacy. According to Vogue, this was their true “hard-launch” as a couple.

Just days before the BAFTAs, Mescal and Abrams made their first public appearance together at a screening for Man on the Run in London. They wore matching dad caps and posed casually with Sir Paul McCartney. But tonight proved far more formal and glamorous, with both stars dressed to impress on one of the film industry’s biggest nights.

Fashion Moments That Proved They’re in Sync

Abrams stunned in a Chanel dress from the luxury brand’s pre-fall 2026 collection. The gown featured delicate chiffon, beaded floral embroidery, and a bejeweled trim, creating an elegant and formal look perfect for the occasion. Mescal went classic with a black Prada suit and a white collarless shirt, finished with a sleek brooch and no tie. Their looks were cohesive without being too matchy-matchy, showing they coordinated thoughtfully while maintaining individual style.

The couple’s fashion coordination sparked immediate praise across social media and fashion outlets. Christian Allaire from Vogue noted it was “a hard balance to strike” and that they had “surely off to a strong start” for awards season couple style. Fans and critics are now wondering if they will continue their public appearances at upcoming major events like the Oscars.

Paul’s Third BAFTA Nomination and Hamnet’s Historic Run

Paul Mescal arrives at the BAFTAs with his third nomination from the British Academy. He previously earned nods for Aftersun (2023, Best Actor) and All of Us Strangers (2024, Best Supporting Actor). Tonight, he’s competing for Best Supporting Actor for his role as William Shakespeare in director Chloe Zhao‘s Hamnet. The film has become a historic contender at the BAFTAs, receiving 11 nominations total. This makes Hamnet the most-nominated film ever from a female director at the awards ceremony. Hamnet also stars Jessie Buckley as Shakespeare’s wife Anne Hathaway and explores the grief surrounding the death of their son.

The film’s unprecedented success reflects Zhao’s bold creative vision. In Hamnet, the director tells the story across three acts in homage to Shakespeare’s own play structure. The narrative examines the relationship between Shakespeare and his wife while exploring how the devastating loss of their 11-year-old son inspired him to write his most famous tragedy, Hamlet. Critics and industry figures have recognized Mescal’s performance as one of the standout achievements of recent cinema.

“I think, very much like Shakespeare, Paul expresses parts of him that he might not be able to express in real life. He’s creating a container for himself and expressing that and allowing himself to feel that. I would not bring an actor who doesn’t have that to play William Shakespeare.”

— Chloe Zhao, Director of Hamnet

From Secret Dating to Instagram Official to Red Carpet Official

The couple’s relationship journey has been notably private and gradual. Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal were first linked in June 2024 when they were spotted on a dinner date in London. Throughout the fall, they were occasionally seen together in casual settings, but they kept their connection completely out of the public eye. In July 2025, they made a major move by going Instagram official at Glastonbury festival, with Abrams sharing a photo of herself and Mescal lounging together. Still, even this step was relatively understated compared to typical celebrity announcements. Tonight’s BAFTA appearance represents their most deliberate and public endorsement of their relationship yet.

According to reports, Mescal prefers to keep his personal life private and out of the spotlight. In interviews, he has spoken about the importance of protecting relationships from media scrutiny. Abrams, who rose to fame as a singer-songwriter, has similarly kept her romantic life largely confidential. Their shared value of privacy appears to be one of the strengths of their connection, making tonight’s decision to appear together all the more noteworthy.

Will This Red Carpet Debut Change Everything for the Couple?

Now that Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal have officially gone public, many are wondering what comes next. Will they attend the Oscars together if Hamnet receives nominations? Will they continue to support each other’s career events publicly? Industry watchers are particularly interested in whether this represents a turning point in how the couple manages their relationship in the public eye. Vogue posed the question directly, asking if this BAFTAs moment will be followed by red carpet appearances at future major awards shows. For now, the couple’s official debut has given millions of fans their first real glimpse of one of Hollywood’s most closely guarded relationships, and the reception has been entirely positive and adoring.

Sources

• Vogue – “Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams Hard-Launch on the 2026 BAFTAs Red Carpet” by Christian Allaire
• Town & Country – “Paul Mescal Arrives Arm-in-Arm With Gracie Abrams at the 2026 BAFTAs”
• Elle – “Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal’s Full Relationship Timeline”