Lily James enjoyed a cosy stroll with her onscreen love interest Pierson Fode in New York City on Thursday, coinciding with the release of their new film Swiped. The British actress, 36, known for Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again and the live-action Cinderella, was seen walking with 33-year-old Pierson Fode, who has drawn attention for Netflix's rom‑com The Wrong Paris and for prior screen work dating back to his Disney Channel days. The two are starring opposite each other in Swiped, with James playing Whitney Wolfe Herd, the founder and CEO of Bumble, and Fode portraying a key love interest alongside a cast that includes Jackson White, Myha'la and Dan Stevens.
Swiped features James as Whitney Wolfe Herd, the Bumble founder and chief executive, with Fode as her on-screen partner in a story that blends romance and workplace dynamics. The film was released in the United States on Hulu on September 19 and is available on Disney+ in the United Kingdom, giving the star duo a moment in the spotlight as fans flock to see the movie after months of promotion. The NYC sighting came during a day off from film work and premieres, a reminder of the cross‑continental promotional cycle that often accompanies a digital release in recent years.
Lily has been in New York for premieres and promotional events tied to Swiped, and the low-key public appearance with her co-star added a splash of star power to a city already buzzing about the film's debut. The couple’s casual walk offered fans a rare, unscripted moment amid the hustle of a high-profile release, underscoring the real-life camaraderie that often accompanies on-screen partnerships.
In Germany, meanwhile, an incident involving an anti-Semitic sign outside a shop drew swift condemnation from officials and the public alike. A sign reading 'Jews are banned from here!' appeared in the window of a shop owned by Hans Velten Reisch, who 60-year-old told German media he was responding to the Gaza conflict and claimed he was not anti-Semitic, but rather reacting to what he viewed as actions by Israel. Police removed the poster on Thursday after the incident drew widespread attention, and authorities opened an investigation into incitement of hatred.
Reisch later told Bild that he could not distinguish between Jews who support or oppose certain actions, but he said he should not have blamed all Jews—though he argued the sign reflected his opposition to certain policies. Bild reported that Reisch acknowledged the poster’s wording but maintained that the broader context of the Gaza conflict influenced his decision. The sign has since been removed as police inquiries continue. Locals left messages on the shop window, expressing outrage and solidarity with the Jewish community.
'This is anti-Semitism in its purest form, and of course, there are direct references to the Nazi era,' said Felix Klein, the Federal Government's Anti-Semitism Commissioner, who noted that several people reported the sign to authorities. The public prosecutor's office confirmed an investigation into inciting hatred is underway, and Daniel Günther, the Minister President of the state, called the incident a recollection of Germany's darkest chapters. The German Chancellor also weighed in, warning that criticisms of Israel are sometimes used as a cover for anti-Semitism. The authorities emphasized that the case would be handled with diligence and that the public should not tolerate such behavior.
Locals surrounding the shop expressed shock and insisted that the community would not tolerate anti-Semitism in any form. Police and prosecutors have said they will pursue the case, and officials stressed the importance of upholding human rights and historical memory in an era of heightened political tension.
Daily Mail has reached out to Lily James's representative for comment on the NYC sighting and Swiped promotion, while officials in Germany have outlined ongoing investigations and policy responses aimed at preventing a recurrence of such offenses. The dual stories—one in the entertainment world, one in German civic life—reflect how culture and policy continue to intersect in public discourse.