Honestly, the internet has a way of turning a five-minute car ride into a wedding proposal. We’ve all seen it happen. You’re scrolling through a feed and suddenly there’s a blurry photo of two A-listers sharing a laugh, and the comments section is basically picking out china patterns. This is exactly where we are with Lily James Glen Powell rumors right now.
People are obsessed. And it makes sense! You have two of the most charismatic humans on the planet, both currently single, both with a history that goes way deeper than a random red carpet encounter. But if you think this is just some fresh, out-of-the-blue Hollywood fling, you’re missing the actual story.
The 2025 BAFTA Moment That Set Everything Off
Let's look at the "evidence" everyone keeps citing.
It was February 2025, just about a year ago. The setting: London, specifically the Charles Finch and Chanel pre-BAFTA bash at Loulou’s. It’s the kind of party where the air is probably 40% expensive perfume and 60% industry secrets. Glen showed up alone in a sharp black suit. Lily arrived with a friend. Normal enough.
But when it was time to leave? That’s when the cameras caught them.
Glen walked out without his jacket. Lily followed shortly after, literally wearing his blazer to fend off the London chill. They hopped into the same SUV, and the paparazzi caught them in what can only be described as a "fit of giggles."
Seriously, they looked like two kids who just pulled a prank.
When those photos hit Page Six and The Sun, the "Lily James Glen Powell" search term basically broke the algorithm. People weren't just asking if they were dating; they were convinced they’d been secret for months. But here's the thing: these two have been in each other's orbit for nearly a decade.
They Actually "Dated" Years Ago (On Screen)
If you haven’t watched The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, you need to. It’s a mouthful of a title, but it’s the origin story of this whole dynamic.
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Filmed back in 2017 and released on Netflix in 2018, the movie features Lily as Juliet Ashton, a writer, and Glen as Mark Reynolds, her American fiancé.
They were literally playing lovers.
During the press tour and filming in Bristol and Guernsey, the chemistry was already there. There are set photos from 2017 where they’re goofing around on the bow of a ship, looking just as "cuddly" as they did at the BAFTAs last year.
"I’ve seen you reach for what you want," Glen’s character says to Lily’s in the film.
Maybe life is imitating art? Or maybe they’re just two actors who actually like each other. In a town where everyone is "networking," having a genuine friend you can laugh with in a taxi is a rare commodity.
The "Single" Timeline: Why 2026 is Different
The reason these rumors have so much legs right now—and why everyone is talking about Lily James Glen Powell in 2026—is the timing of their personal lives.
For a long time, the math didn't add up.
- Lily James had that long-term, high-profile thing with Matt Smith. Then she was linked to Michael Shuman (from Queens of the Stone Age) on and off for years.
- Glen Powell was with model Gigi Paris for three years. That ended right around the time he was filming Anyone But You with Sydney Sweeney.
We all remember the Sydney Sweeney era. The rumors were everywhere. People thought Glen and Sydney were the real deal because their chemistry was so nuclear. Later, Glen admitted they leaned into those rumors for the marketing. He’s a smart guy. He knows how the "show" part of "show business" works.
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But by mid-2024, Glen was telling CBS Mornings that he wasn't "chasing love" but was open to it hitting him in the face.
Fast forward to now. Lily is reportedly single after her final split with Shuman. Glen is the biggest star in the world post-Twisters and Hit Man. They are both "free agents" for the first time since they met on that boat in 2017.
What’s Actually Happening in 2026?
So, are they together?
Neither has confirmed a thing. Sources close to them—those "anonymous pals" that magazines love to quote—say there’s definitely an attraction, but they’re just "friends having a good time."
But let’s be real. In Hollywood-speak, "having a good time" is often code for "we’re seeing where this goes but we don't want the paparazzi at our brunch."
Glen is currently busy with J.J. Abrams' new sci-fi project The Great Beyond (dropping November 2026), alongside Jenna Ortega. Lily has been heads-down training for the Cliffhanger reboot, where she’s reportedly doing her own mountain climbing.
They are busy. Like, "don't have time to sleep" busy.
However, they keep showing up in the same cities. They keep liking each other's posts. And that jacket-sharing moment? That’s not something you do with a casual acquaintance. That’s "we’ve known each other for eight years and I trust you" energy.
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Why We Should Care (Beyond the Gossip)
There is a weirdly cynical view that every celebrity pairing is a PR stunt.
Maybe. But with Lily James Glen Powell, it feels different because they don't have a movie to sell together right now. They aren't co-starring in a 2026 rom-com (though the internet is begging for it). If they’re hanging out, it’s because they actually want to.
Here’s the breakdown of what we know for a fact:
- They met in 2017 on the set of Guernsey.
- They have stayed friends, appearing together at the Critics Choice Awards in 2023.
- They both entered 2025/2026 as single individuals.
- They were spotted looking extremely close after a BAFTA party in London.
What You Should Actually Look Out For
If you’re trying to track the Lily James Glen Powell saga, stop looking for a formal "Instagram official" post. That’s not Glen’s style, and Lily has become way more private after the whole Dominic West drama a few years back.
Instead, watch the casting calls.
There is a huge vacuum in Hollywood right now for a "Mega Rom-Com." Studios are desperate to replicate the success of Anyone But You. If a script pops up with both their names on it, that’s your confirmation. Whether they’re dating or just the world’s best work-spouses, their "vibe" is worth millions at the box office.
Actionable Insights for the Fans:
- Don't buy the "engagement" clickbait: As of early 2026, there is zero evidence they are anything more than close friends or "casually seeing" each other.
- Re-watch their chemistry: If you want to see why the rumors exist, go back to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society on Netflix. The "Mark and Juliet" scenes are basically a blueprint for their real-life tension.
- Follow the filming locations: Glen is spending a lot of time in the UK and Europe for various projects. Since Lily is London-based, expect more "random" sightings in Mayfair or Soho.
- Check the jackets: If Lily James is wearing a tuxedo blazer that looks three sizes too big, Glen Powell is probably nearby.
The reality is that these two represent a return to old-school Hollywood glamour. They’re charming, they’re talented, and they actually seem to enjoy the spotlight. Whether they end up as a power couple or just the industry’s most supportive besties, they’ve managed to keep us all guessing—which is exactly how you stay relevant in 2026.