London’s Soho district played host to what might be the most intriguing dinner date of the season when The Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy and The Great‘s Nicholas Hoult were spotted enjoying an intimate meal at the exclusive Finch & Fork on Tuesday evening.
The acclaimed actors, who previously sizzled on screen in the deliciously dark culinary thriller The Menu, appeared deep in conversation at their corner table, seemingly oblivious to curious onlookers as they dined for over two hours.
Taylor-Joy, 29, embodied effortless chic in a sleek black wool coat and minimal makeup that highlighted her famously striking features. Hoult, 35, matched her sophisticated energy in a well-tailored blazer paired with a cashmere scarf—perfect for London’s chilly autumn evening.
“They looked super comfortable and were laughing a lot—seemed more than friends,” reported one diner who happened to be celebrating their anniversary at a nearby table. “There was this moment when she touched his hand while making a point, and it just felt… charged somehow.”
The pair certainly weren’t trying to hide their meetup, though their departure in separate vehicles around 11 PM raised eyebrows among celebrity watchers. Was this a strategic exit to avoid paparazzi speculation, or simply two busy professionals heading to different parts of town?
Social media quickly erupted with theories about what this cozy dinner might signify. “Are we getting The Menu 2? Or is this a whole different kind of chemistry?” tweeted one fan. Another wrote, “The way they look at each other… I’m already invested in whatever this is!”
Adding a layer of intrigue to the evening is Hoult’s long-term relationship with model Bryana Holly, with whom he shares a child. The actor has typically kept his personal life private, making this public dinner all the more noteworthy.
Representatives for both stars have remained characteristically tight-lipped. When contacted, Taylor-Joy’s team offered only that “Anya enjoys reconnecting with former colleagues when schedules align,” while Hoult’s representatives didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Industry insiders suggest the dinner could indeed be professional rather than romantic. “They both have incredibly busy slates coming up,” shared one source close to Taylor-Joy. “There’s always talk of reuniting talent that works well together.”
The duo’s chemistry in The Menu was widely praised by critics, with their portrayal of a couple navigating a nightmarish exclusive dining experience earning them both award nominations.
Whether their London dinner signals a new collaboration, a blossoming friendship, or something more remains to be seen. For now, fans will have to content themselves with analyzing every photograph and social media clue.
In Hollywood’s close-knit circles, a dinner can mean anything from script discussions to genuine romance—and sometimes, the line between the two blurs in ways that keep us all guessing.
One thing’s for certain: whatever’s cooking between Taylor-Joy and Hoult, we’re definitely hungry for more details.
