Paul Mescal Makes Red Carpet Debut with Gracie Abrams at the BAFTAs
Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams stepped onto the BAFTA red carpet together in a high-profile public moment that underscores Mescal’s current awards-season push. The appearance matters now because Mescal arrived nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Hamnet, and the couple used the evening to make their relationship visually official.
Paul Mescal’s BAFTA Nomination and Look
Mescal attended the 2026 British Academy Film Awards as a nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of William Shakespeare in Hamnet. The actor, who previously won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Actor in 2021 for Normal People, wore Prada by Felicity Kay: a black suit paired with a white dress shirt, sleeves rolled and the jacket left open for a relaxed silhouette. Photographs from the evening show him stopping for photos with Abrams; he left his jacket unbuttoned, kept his collar open and folded over his cuffs.
Gracie Abrams in Chanel’s Métiers d’art
Abrams chose Chanel for the occasion, selecting a piece from Matthieu Blazy’s 2026 Métiers d’art collection. The black sleeveless dress featured teal-blue beading and aquatic motifs in varying shades of red and brown, with an open back that set off her extra-short bob and long diamond earrings. She completed the look with a statement diamond ring, black pointy-toe heels, kitten-heel pumps in one account, and deep-brown nail polish, presenting an understated, complementary presence beside Mescal.
Red Carpet Moment at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall
The couple arrived at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London arm in arm for the BAFTAs and shared an on-camera moment of affection. Observers saw them kiss on the red carpet; images from the night show Abrams kissing Mescal on the cheek as they posed together. The public debut came nearly two years after they were first seen together and drew attention in an evening that also included appearances by Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Prince William and Princess Kate.
Earlier Appearance at the Man On The Run Premiere
Earlier in the week the pair made their first official public appearance together at the London premiere for Sir Paul McCartney’s documentary Man On The Run. That earlier moment was more casual: they posed in baseball caps and winter coats for a photo call, marking a separate step in how the couple has made select outings public.
Personal Timeline and Public Signals
The relationship has been visible intermittently since 2024, with the pair being spotted at city streets, festival sites and in Abrams’ social media. Abrams’ Instagram included a celebratory post that referenced both Mescal and a close friend named Clemmy, captioned, "My whole heart!!!!!!!!! I love February 2… Happy birthday, I love you both more than words could ever describe. Thank you for making everything better. " What makes this notable is how the couple has calibrated private and public moments—moving from casual premieres earlier in the week to a formal, arm-in-arm red carpet debut tied to Mescal’s awards recognition.
The cause-and-effect here is straightforward: Mescal’s BAFTA nomination created the occasion for a high-profile joint appearance, and the couple used that platform to formalize their red carpet presence. Their coordinated fashion choices—Prada for Mescal and Chanel for Abrams—reinforced a low-key, complementary aesthetic that framed the night as both a professional milestone and a relationship milestone.
