Paul Mescal enjoys a dinner date with Taylor Swift's singer friend Gracie Abrams in London - after insisting he is 'just friends' with Natalie Portman amid romance rumours
Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams sparked romance rumours over the weekend after they were seen enjoying a dinner date in London.
The Normal People star, 28, and the singer, 24, were looking very cosy in pictures obtained by TMZ as they enjoyed a meal at BRAT Restaurant.
Paul and Gracie - who shares a close friendship with pop superstar Taylor Swift - were locked in conversation in the busy restaurant as they shared a number of small plates.
The actor seemed in good spirits as he reached across the table to touch Gracie's cheek.
He cut a casual figure in a white T-shirt while the 'us.' singer stunned in a pretty pink blouse.
Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams sent tongues wagging on Sunday as they were spotted enjoying a dinner date in London
It comes after Paul claimed he's 'just friends' with Natalie Portman after those cosy snaps last month.
Paul and Natalie, 42 - who interviewed each other for Variety last year - appeared in high spirits as they stepped outside for a cigarette.
She was no doubt pleased to have a fun night out, having quietly finalised her divorce from Benjamin Millepied in March following rumours he was unfaithful.
However Natalie's relationship with Paul is strictly platonic, and the pair have in fact enjoyed a friendly rapport for some time, sources told TMZ.
Paul has made no secret of his admiration for Natalie, so he was clearly delighted to be in her company when they were spotted in Islington.
MailOnline contacted Paul and Natalie's representatives for comment at the time.
When they interviewed each other last year, Paul described Natalie as 'brilliant' and admitted: 'If my drama school self knew that I would be talking to you, I would pinch myself many, many times!'
It comes after Paul claimed he's 'just friends' with Natalie Portman after those cosy snaps last month
Paul and Natalie could not control their giggles as they enjoyed an evening out drinking at Bar 69 in Islington last month, though sources have said they're just pals
It comes after Natalie finalized her divorce from Benjamin Millepied in France in March, bringing an end to a marriage of 12 years, her representative confirmed to People (pictured in 2022)
He also complimented her performance in May December, in which she shares a steamy sex scene with younger co-star Charles Melton, 33.
She starred in the film as an actress named Elizabeth researching a couple - Gracie (Julianne Moore) and Joe (Charles) - who had formed when she was 36 and he was 13, sparking a tabloid scandal.
Meanwhile, Natalie complimented Paul on his sex scenes with Andrew Scott in All of Us Strangers, describing them as 'very hot but also very tender.'
Natalie finalised her divorce from Benjamin in France in March, bringing an end to a marriage of 12 years, her representative confirmed to People.
The former couple share two children - Aleph, 12, and Amalia, seven - and lived together in Benjamin's native France for several years.
Natalie filed for divorce last July, one month after the French magazine Voici ran a bombshell report claiming Benjamin, 46, had an affair with a famous 25-year-old environmental activist called Camille Étienne.
After the claims of his infidelity went public, a source told People Benjamin had a 'short-lived' fling with Camille, but that the dalliance was 'over.'
The insider added: 'He knows he made an enormous mistake and he is doing all he can to get Natalie to forgive him and keep their family together.'
However, by the following month, Natalie had filed for divorce, and by early this March the legal proceedings were finalized.
On Saturday, Paul Mescal (centre) cut a casual figure as he was reunited with his All Of Us Strangers co-star Andrew Scott (left) at Glastonbury festival in Worthy Farm
The closest she came to addressing her divorce in public was in Vanity Fair this February when she was asked how it felt to have her marriage written about and replied: 'It’s terrible, and I have no desire to contribute to it.'
A friend revealed the collapse of Natalie's marriage was 'was initially really tough for her, but her friends rallied around her and helped get her through the worst of it.'
The source noted: 'Her biggest priority has been ensuring a smooth transition for her children. She and Ben really love their kids and are equally focused on being the best co-parents they can be. Nothing is more important.'
On Saturday Paul cut a casual figure as he reunited with his All Of Us Strangers co-star Andrew Scott at Glastonbury festival in Worthy Farm.
The Irish actor, who stars as mysterious neighbour Harry in the emotional drama, seemed in high spirits as he was reunited with his co-star Andrew, 47, to participate in a special Q&A with Saoirse Ronan, 30.
Paul rocked a plain white T-shirt and beige chino trousers and layered up the ensemble with a lace cream shirt which he left unbuttoned. He sported a black and white pair of Adidas trainers.
Meanwhile, his co-star Andrew, who stars as a grief-stricken screenwriter in the film, opted for a more colourful ensemble as he sported a cobalt blue gilet.
He teamed the casual gilet with a baby blue vest top and wore a pair of baggy navy trousers.
He completed the look with a pair of chunky white Nike trainers and seemed in good spirits as he smiled for the camera.
All Of Us Strangers director Andrew Haigh, 51, also attended the event and ensured to get snaps with the pair.
He sported a boxy black T-shirt and a pair of light blue denim jeans as he smiled for the snap.
The three then took part in a festival edition screening and Q&A with Saoirse at the Pilton Palais tent to discuss the film.
