Kaitlyn Dever sparks romance rumors with Ethan Dawes as they hold hands on night out in West Hollywood

Kaitlyn Dever sparked dating rumors with Ethan Dawes during a night out in West Hollywood on Thursday.

The Booksmart actress, 27 – whose mother Kathy passed away in February after a lengthy battle with breast cancer – stopped by the Brunello Cucinelli dinner with the actor at the iconic Chateau Marmont.

As the couple left the event, Dever and Dawes were seen holding hands as they prepared to head to their next destination.

Kaitlyn looked glamorous in a semi-sheer dress with gold sequins clinging to her body and sliding on brown closed-toed heels.

She also paired the look with a black leather jacket and let her dark brown locks flow down her shoulders in light waves.

Dever opted for minimal accessories so that her outfit would be the center of attention, adding a pair of dainty earrings for the finishing touch.

Dawes – known for directing projects such as the Chicken Girls series – opted for a monochromatic ensemble for the evening.

He wore a classic black suit, paired with a plain black shirt underneath. Ethan completed the outfit by wearing a pair of black loafers.

The two stars were seen strolling hand-in-hand along a walkway outside the Chateau Marmont, and at one point had a small smile on their face.

The special dinner on Thursday included a number of other celebrity guests, including Sharon Stone, Kevin Costner and Shanina Shaik.

Kaitlyn — who has been nominated for both Emmy and Golden Globe Awards — has remained largely private about her personal life.

But earlier this year in February, the actress revealed in a heartbreaking Instagram post that her mother, Kathy, had died at the age of 53 after a 14-year battle with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

As well as sharing an assortment of photos of her mother over the years, the star wrote: ‘My mother. My life. My everything. I don’t even have the words for it.’

“Nothing I will ever say will come down to the gifts you have given me in my life, the boundless joy you have brought, the deep, endless, unconditional love you have given me and our family. Your love was everywhere.”

Dever later compared her mother’s love to “sunshine,” adding, “You were everyone’s favorite.” You are my favorite. The sweetest in the world.’

“Without you I will be broken forever and I don’t know how to move on,” she continued emotionally.

Referring to her siblings, Kaitlyn wrote, “I’m grateful you gave me Mady, Jane, and Dad…because of you we will always have each other to lean on. You were the best mother and wife anyone could ever ask for.”

“Thank you for fighting so hard for us for so long. I am forever, forever grateful for the special time we got to spend with you, dear mom… it will never be enough.”

“I miss your smile, your sense of humor, your hugs, your kisses, your hand holding, more than anything in the world. You made everything better,” the actress continued.

‘My dearest, beautiful girl. My best friend Oh, how much I love you. What a gift it is to love you. I love you forever and ever, Mom. .’

Dever has since uploaded additional tributes to her late mother, wishing Kathy a “heavenly birthday” on Instagram earlier this week.

The actress has been busy and will be appearing in a number of upcoming projects next year.

She was cast in the second season of HBO Max’s hit series, The Last Of Us, playing the character of Abby, a veteran soldier.

According to an official description, she is “a veteran soldier whose black-and-white view of the world is challenged as she seeks revenge on those she loves.”

Other stars set to appear next season – which premieres sometime in 2025 – include Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Rutina Wesley, Isabela Merced, Young Mazino, Catherine O’Hara, as well as Jeffrey Wright.

The character of Abby has sparked varying reactions from players of the video game – with co-creator Neil Druckmann saying he had received death threats in the past.

Isabela Merced – who plays Dina on the show – stated on the Happy sad confused podcast that Kaitlyn ‘had to be extra protected by security during the recording of this.’

“There are so many strange people in this world because there are people who really hate Abby, who is not a real person. Just a reminder: not a real person.”

Dever also played a leading role in the upcoming Netflix limited series titled Apple Cider Vinegar, which is expected to hit the streaming site in 2025 – although an exact date has yet to be revealed.

In the show, the actress plays Belle Gibson — an Australian wellness influencer “who claims to have cured her terminal brain cancer through health and wellness,” according to a synopsis on Netflix’s Tudum website.

“It turns out that Belle was never diagnosed with – or cured of – the malignant brain tumor that she shares with the world through social media, the mobile app she develops and the accompanying cookbook.”

In addition to Kaitlyn, other stars cast in the project include Alycia Debnam-Carey, Aisha Dee, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Mark Coles Smith, Ashley Zukerman and Susie Porter.

A first look at the limited drama series was released last month, but Dever’s Australian accent left fans divided.

A fan of cadence it is of course.’

Another typed: ‘There are plenty of Australian actors who would have done a much better job.’

Others, however, came to the star’s defense with one token: “This is a nice Australian accent.”

‘It’s just for the wrong age group, region and social class. Gibson has a very distinct ‘desperate striver from just outside Brisbane’ accent.”

Dever is known for appearing in a number of projects such as Booksmart, Dopesick and Ticket To Paradise.

In 2022, she won the Hollywood TV Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Limited or Anthology Series and/or Movie for her performance in Dopesick.