Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal’s BAFTAs Moment

gracie abrams and Paul Mescal made their red carpet debut as a couple at the 2026 BAFTAs, arriving arm in arm and sharing a kiss at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London. Earlier this week the pair also attended the London premiere for Sir Paul McCartney’s documentary Man On The Run, where they kept things casual in baseball caps and winter coats.

Gracie Abrams at the BAFTAs

The appearance at the BAFTAs marked a new public first: the couple’s official red carpet debut, nearly two years after they were first seen together. The two have been dating since 2024, having been spotted together on city streets and at festival sites and more recently showing up in Abrams’ social media posts. In one Instagram caption Abrams celebrated Paul and her close friend Clemmy with the words: '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. ' Tonight’s BAFTAs moment felt like a private milestone made public as the pair celebrated Mescal’s nomination together.

What they wore on the carpet

Paul Mescal was nominated tonight for his work in Hamnet and attended in Prada by Felicity Kay, wearing a black suit with a white undershirt. He presented a relaxed red carpet look by rolling his sleeves up and wearing his jacket open; at times his jacket was left unbuttoned, the collar of his white dress shirt was open, and he folded over the cuffs. Mescal was nominated for a supporting role for his portrayal of William Shakespeare in Hamnet and was described as up for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. He previously won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Actor in 2021 for Normal People.

Gracie Abrams' Chanel evening look

Gracie Abrams chose Chanel for the evening. One description notes a floor-length Chanel gown worn with her signature dark pixie cut and kitten-heel pumps, an understated look meant to support Mescal without upstaging him. Another account specifies a Chanel dress from Matthieu Blazy’s 2026 Métiers d’art collection: a black sleeveless dress trimmed with teal-blue beading and embellished with aquatic motifs in varying shades of red and brown, with an open back that highlighted an extra-short bob and long diamond earrings. She kept accessories minimal, wearing a statement diamond ring and black pointy-toe heels in one version and kitten-heel pumps in another, and matched her nails to the dress with deep-brown polish. At the BAFTAs she kissed her beau on the cheek as they posed for photos.

Other attendees and headline moments

The BAFTAs evening included other high-profile names: Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner were present, and Prince William and Princess Kate attended as well. Coverage and related headlines around the event and season mentioned Jessie Buckley winning big at the BAFTAs in Chanel; Kylie Jenner bringing the bling to the 2026 BAFTAs; Prince William and Princess Kate attending the BAFTAs; and a roundup of red-carpet looks. Other fashion and awards items appearing alongside the story included Margot Robbie wearing the Charlotte Brontë Bracelet; Rosé making Grammys history in a black-and-white gown; Miley Cyrus’s gown noted for a dramatic neckline; Charli XCX presenting at the Golden Globes; Jessie Buckley’s Golden Globes debut; and Ariana Grande bringing back her signature ponytail. Separate fashion-focused mentions in the same context included Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas getting ready for the BAFTAs; Camille Charrière on her debut LFW performance; the Princess of Wales wearing a blush-toned custom Gucci look; a trend of wearing clothes backwards and how to style them; a weekly spotted roundup of what stars have been wearing; Dakota Johnson making a case for the modern granny blouse; channeling Margot Robbie’s 'Wuthering Heights' style; notes that the 'Wuthering Heights' costumes aren’t historically accurate; commentary that the Princess of Wales proved the timeless appeal of a classic loafer; discussion of an important message behind Meghan Markle's old Hollywood strapless gown; the Princess of Wales wearing this season’s chocolate-brown dress trend; and the Princess of Wales making a case for olive green.

Their next photo calls

The pair have kept their relationship private over the past couple of years, but this red carpet appearance was presented as a deliberate, public moment to celebrate Mescal’s success. The appearance suggested they may appear together at future photo calls now that their BAFTAs outing was official.

All factual details above are drawn from the public appearances, nominations, outfit descriptions, the Instagram caption cited, the London premiere for Man On The Run earlier this week, and listings of other attendees and related headlines tied to the awards season and fashion coverage.