Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams are proving that their summer romance was not just a fleeting affair. The couple’s relationship, which began with an unforgettable summer, remains strong and vibrant.

Despite their hectic schedules in 2024, Mescal and Abrams made time for each other. He was busy filming the much-anticipated Gladiator II, while Abrams was making waves as the opening act for Taylor Swift on the Eras tour. Amid their commitments, they managed to cultivate a meaningful connection.

Rumors of a romance between Mescal and Abrams started circulating in June 2024, when the pair was seen dining together in London. However, it was not until July that Abrams appeared to confirm their relationship, sharing an Instagram photo with Mescal from the Glastonbury Festival in England.

Fast forward to January 2026, and Abrams publicly declared her affection for Mescal by expressing her admiration for his performance in the film Hamnet, released in late 2025. She also gave fans a glimpse behind the scenes by sharing a selection of photos from the production.

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Scroll down to see how Abrams and Mescal’s private bond unfolded into a special love story:

June 2024

Let the romance rumors begin! TMZ obtained photos of both Mescal and Abrams enjoying a meal together at BRAT Restaurant in London. In one picture, the actor reached over during the meal and stroked Abram’s cheek.

August 2024

In a profile for The Sunday Times, Abrams addressed the interest in her personal life. “It’s all spooky,” she said. “You hope for just privacy in your life as anyone else would. That’s just the truth.”

August 2024

Two months after first being spotted, Mescal and Abrams were photographed together again in London. This time, however, they were captured holding hands. According to the Daily Mail, the duo enjoyed a shopping trip before attending the All Points East Music Festival. While enjoying Mitski’s set, the pair were joined by Mescal’s Normal People costar Daisy Edgar-Jones and her boyfriend, Ben Seed.

October 2024

When kicking off The Secret of Us tour, Abrams received some support from Mescal in the audience on October 5. According to People, the actor showed up at Radio City Music Hall in New York City to witness his rumored girlfriend’s set. And yes, he was spotted dancing and singing along to her performance.

Less than one week later, Mescal expressed his hopes that he can keep his personal life a bit more private. In an interview with GQ, the actor said that he’s “learned that there’s certain lines in the sand now for me that just are going to be impenetrable for the benefit of my own sanity.”

“The speculation has been kind of mad for the last x amount of years,” Mescal added about his relationship status. “I’m not comfortable inviting any access into that part of my life. How I am in my private life is so precious to me because I get very little of it, and it might be public interest, but it’s not public-obligated information.”

Swifties spotted Mescal attending Swift’s Eras tour on October 20 to watch Abrams’ opening set at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. He seemingly watched the show from one of the private VIP sections on the floor of the stadium. Because there were no tent covers on the VIP suites in Miami, fans have a better view of who was in attendance.

Ridley Scott‘s Gladiator sequel has been in development for years, and the film is finally coming together — and to theaters soon — with an A-list cast. Scott directed the 2000 historical drama starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Oliver Reed and more. The film was a hit at the box office and took home five […]

November 2024

Abrams supported Mescal at the Los Angeles premiere of his movie Gladiator II, according to social media footage. They were also seen hugging at the official afterparty.

December 2024

They made their respective Saturday Night Live debuts one week apart. Mescal hosted the December 7 episode, while Abrams served as the musical guest one week later. After Abrams’ December 14 performance, they were spotted holding hands in New York City.

Days later, Abrams made a rare comment about her private life. “Abrams keeps it brief when I ask how she’s found navigating personal relationships under this new public microscope,” Nylon’s Lauren McCarthy wrote in an interview published on December 17. “‘That has nothing to do with me,’ she says, straight-faced. ‘It doesn’t affect me.’”

July 2025

After Abrams’ set at England’s Glastonbury Festival, she shared a recap of her highlights via Instagram.

“❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️,” she captioned a carousel.

In one of the uploads, Abrams snapped a selfie with Mescal during a beach day.

Mescal’s sister, Nell, replied, commenting, “At any moment we can just say we’re so back.”

September 2025

The Normal People actor made a rare comment on his love life by explaining to Rolling Stone why the couple decided to go “Instagram official” over the summer.

“I actually do have an answer [as to the timing], but everything to do with that is deeply precious to me and I don’t want to. … This isn’t … I don’t really … umm … I want to protect those things fundamentally,” he told the outlet.

January 2026

“Also I love him surprise,” Abrams wrote via her Instagram Story alongside a photo of boyfriend Mescal wearing a “Will Power” T-shirt that had William Shakespeare’s face on it.

In the picture, Mescal smoked a cigarette and threw open his jean jacket so Abrams could properly see the witty pun on his shirt, which was a nod to his portrayal of the iconic playwright in 2025’s Hamnet.

Abrams also applauded Mescal and Hamnet his costars in a series of Instagram Story uploads on January 16, calling them all “singular.” She added, “Thank god for what they made. Go see it and you will be better off.”