Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal Mark Red Carpet Debut With a Kiss
The 2026 British Academy Film Awards at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London turned into a milestone night for gracie abrams and Paul Mescal, who made their official red carpet debut nearly two years after they were first seen together and shared a kiss on the carpet.
Gracie Abrams's Chanel Dress
Abrams chose a Chanel dress from Matthieu Blazy’s 2026 Métiers d’art collection and leaned on her role as a longtime ambassador of the French label. The artist wore a black sleeveless dress trimmed with teal-blue beading and embellished with aquatic motifs in varying shades of red and brown. The open back highlighted her extra-short bob and long diamond earrings. She kept accessories minimal with a statement diamond ring and black pointy-toe heels, matched her nails to the dress with a deep-brown polish, and kissed her beau on the cheek.
Paul Mescal's BAFTA nomination
Mescal, who previously won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Actor for his work on Normal People, was nominated at the ceremony for Hamnet in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category. He stopped for photos with Abrams wearing a black Prada suit, leaving his jacket unbuttoned, the collar of his white dress shirt open for a relaxed feel, and folding over the cuffs.
Red carpet moments and couples
All eyes were on Timothée Chalamet on Sunday night, with fans waiting to see if he would walk the carpet with his partner of three years, Kylie Jenner. Timothee, who is nominated in the Leading Actor category for Marty Supreme, walked the carpet alone looking serious and dapper in a black suit. Kylie Jenner joined him inside the ceremony, donning a black dress to match his suit, wearing her dark hair long and straight and holding tightly onto Timothee's hand. The BAFTAs also saw the attendance of Prince William and Princess Kate, and other A-list couples posed and paraded throughout the evening.
Earlier screenings and timeline
The couple have been dating publicly since 2024 and made a quieter red carpet appearance earlier this week at a London screening of Paul McCartney - Man on The Run. Their appearance at the BAFTAs was their second foray onto the red carpet together and was a more glamorous affair; observers noted them laughing and gazing into one another's eyes, with Paul resting his hand on Gracie's lower back. The official red carpet debut came nearly two years after they were first seen together.
Other red-carpet highlights
Other notable moments at the event included Kate Hudson and her musician husband Danny Fujikawa, who have been together for almost a decade and held hands as they posed, with Hudson -making backless red gown with a billowing skirt and Fujikawa looking suave in his suit. Bugonia star Jesse Plemons and Bring It On icon Kirsten Dunst shared a joke while Plemons is nominated in the Leading Actor role for Bugonia and Dunst attended to support her husband. White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood and her actor boyfriend Adam Long posed together. Rose Byrne is nominated in the Leading Actress category for If I Had Legs I'd Kicked you, with her husband Bobby Cannavale by her side; Byrne channelled a Disney Princess in a lemon yellow dress with glittering detail. Milly Alcock and her boyfriend Joseph Powell were noted as the coolest couple at the BAFTAs in achingly fashionable suits, a moment playfully framed as "don't tell the Prince and Princess of Wales. " Other red-carpet and awards mentions included Jessie Buckley Wins Big at the BAFTAs in Chanel; Kylie Jenner Brings the Bling to the 2026 BAFTAs; Prince William and Princess Kate Attend the BAFTAs; All the Red-Carpet Looks From the 2026 BAFTAs; Margot Robbie Wears the Charlotte Brontë Bracelet; Rosé Makes Grammys History in a Black-and-White Gown; All the Looks From the 2026 Grammy Awards; Miley Cyrus’s Gown Has the Most Dramatic Neckline; Charli XCX Presents at the Golden Globes; Jessie Buckley Makes Her Golden Globes Debut; and Ariana Grande Brings Back Her Signature Ponytail.
The ceremony included competitive categories and moments such as Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer.
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.
Closing: The night at the 2026 BAFTAs at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London combined awards, high fashion and notable couples, with Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal among those drawing particular attention.
