2023/10/30 - Red carpet at the Francesca Beale Theater, Lincoln Center

Meg Ryan lights up the red carpet with her costar David Duchovny at a special screening of her comeback rom-com What Happens Later in NYC

By Brian Marks For Dailymail.com
Published: 06:42 GMT, 31 October 2023 | Updated: 15:09 GMT, 31 October 2023

She hasn't appeared on screen in a film in eight years.

But Meg Ryan helped cement her comeback on Monday when she appeared at a special screening of her upcoming romantic comedy in New York City.

The 61-year-old actress was joined by her costar David Duchovny, 63, on the red carpet at the Francesca Beale Theater at Lincoln Center.

The new movie also marks Meg's return to starring in rom-coms after being away from the genre for more than 20 years following 2001's Kate & Leopold, which she starred in with Hugh Jackman.

She's also directing her new film, marking only her second time in the director's chair after making her debut in 2015 with Ithaca. The film will debut on October 13 in theaters.


Costars: Meg Ryan, 61, joined David Duchovny, 63, at a special screening of their upcoming rom-com What Happens Later in New York City on Monday


Back at it: The When Harry Met Sally star wore a conservative gray-and-black outfit to present the film, which she directed. It marks her first film role in eight years and her first rom-com in over 20 years


Coming soon: She and David star in What Happens Later as exes who run in to each other at an airport before getting snowed in, leaving them with plenty of time to imagine how their relationship could have surivived. The film will debut on October 13 in movie theaters

Meg looked cozy with David as they leaned against each other in muted gray and black outfits on the red carpet.

In What Happens Later, Meg and David star as a pair of exes who run in to each other at an airport.

Their brief reunion turns out to be longer than they expected after a massive snowstorm shuts it down, forcing them to spend time together and reminisce about their failed relationship, while also considering what might have been.

Meg looked lovely in a conservative ensemble featuring a black sweater top, which was jazzed up with a striking collar featuring translucent leaf-like designs and glowing red beads.

She contrasted the top with baggy gray houndstooth pants that reached to the ground and nearly swallowed up her chunky black shoes.

She stayed cozy on the chilly evening a day before Halloween with an extra black overcoat, which she removed while having her photo taken.

The When Harry Met Sally star brightened up her dark look with her classic blond hair, which was styled in a wavy bob with a middle part.

David showed off his chiseled good looks with a few days worth of salt-and-pepper stubble and a steel gray button-up shirt that he left untucked.


Low key: Meg looked lovely in a conservative ensemble featuring a black sweater top, which was jazzed up with a striking collar featuring translucent leaf-like designs and glowing red beads


Flowing: She contrasted the top with baggy gray houndstooth pants that reached to the ground and nearly swallowed up her chunky black shoes


Hanging loose: David showed off his chiseled good looks with a few days worth of salt-and-pepper stubble and a steel gray button-up shirt that he left untucked. He also had on a black suit


Money man: Also joining the film's stars was Bleecker Street CEO Andrew Karpen, who wore a gray suit jacket and dark jeans. His company is distributing What Happens Later


Meg and David were only able to appear at the screening thanks to a special interim agreement arrived at with SAG-AFTRA; David pictured with (L¿R): Jonathan Duffy, Laura Smith Ireland, Michael Goyette and Kelly Williams

He paired it with a classic black suit and wore his dark hair styled shot and swept up slightly.

Also joining the film's stars was Bleecker Street CEO Andrew Karpen, who wore a gray suit jacket and dark jeans with a white checker shirt while posing next to Meg. His company is distributing What Happens Later.

Meg and David were only able to appear at the screening thanks to a special interim agreement arrived at with SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors, which is currently on strike against major Hollywood studios and streamers.

In order to get that waiver, the film's producers had to agree to honor the union's goals in its negotiations, and they also have to be truly independent and without ties to the studios represented by the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).


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Photos: David Allocca | Starpix

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