Hayley Atwell sparked pregnancy rumours on Saturday after flying to Venice for a welcome mini-break with fiancé Ned Wolfgang Kelly, a year after accepting his marriage proposal in the Italian city. 

The actress repeatedly placed a protective hand on her belly as the couple took selfies and browsed a local street market before settling down to an al fresco lunch.

Hayley, 42, appeared to be taking full advantage of a break in the Mission: Impossible shooting schedule as she prepares to start work on the long-running franchise's eighth instalment with co-star and ex-boyfriend Tom Cruise, who has already been seen on set in London. 

Venturing out in the historic floating city, the British star looked typically stylish in a white dress coat with distinctive dropped shoulders and double-breasted lapels. 

Hayley, best known for her recurring role as thief turned IMF agent Grace in the hit spy franchise, completed the look with a black sweater and matching leggings. 

Mission: Impossible took an unexpected turn on Saturday as Hayley Atwell sparked pregnancy rumours after flying to Venice for a welcome mini-break with fiancé Ned Wolfgang Kelly

Hayley looked typically stylish in a minimalist white dress coat with distinctive dropped shoulders and double-breasted lapel as she ventured out in the floating city 

Hayley's former relationship with Mission: Impossible co-star Tom Cruise ended in 2022

Hayley repeatedly placed a hand to her belly during the appearance in Venice, 12-months after accepting Ned's marriage proposal in the city

Venice appears to be a favourite destination for the couple after Ned - a musician and composer - proposed to Hayley during a previous trip to the city in April 2023. 

It has also been used as a backdrop for the Mission: Impossible franchise, notably during the protracted filming of Dead Reckoning Part One in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Confirming their engagement last April, Ned told Instagram followers: 'Lucky me. Arrived in Venice at 10am, around midday the love of my life and I got engaged in the kitchen of this strange apartment surrounded by ducks, with a bloke outside the window murdering "My Way" on the accordion.

'A perfect start to the rest of our lives together. I'd never had any interest in getting married... until I met this extraordinary woman. Happy as a clam.'

Hayley and Ned have kept their relationship away from the public eye and are rarely pictured together.

The London-based artist's Instagram bio reads that he 'doesn't eat animals' and that he has been 'alcohol & drug free for over a decade'.

Ned's website says he has produced commercial music for big brands such as Bud Light, Headspace and Samsung. 

He has also scored films, worked on the design side of various projects, and written articles.

Hayley and Ned took selfies as they made the most of their surroundings in Venice on Saturday

The couple caught the eye during their tour of the city on Saturday as they paused to take pictures of the surrounding area 

The actress appeared to be taking full advantage of a break in the Mission: Impossible shooting schedule as she prepares to start work on the franchise's eighth instalment

Hayley and Ned have kept their relationship away from the public eye and are rarely been pictured together

Ned has scored films, worked on the design side of projects and written various articles

Speaking to The Sun shortly after the relationship was announced, an insider said: 'Hayley's happiness is written on her face right now. They get on like a house on fire and make a very handsome couple.'

Hayley was said to have split from her Mission: Impossible co-star Tom for the second time in 2022. 

A source said: 'Unfortunately it hasn’t worked out for them. They have now decided they are better as friends.'

The insider also revealed that the fanfare around the couple after going public was too much to handle.

'They get on really well, and have fantastic chemistry, which is why they decided to quietly give the relationship another try earlier this year.

Hayley waited as Ned seized an opportunity to take photos in Venice on Saturday 

Hayley and former boyfriend Tom Cruise in a scene from Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One 

The actress appeared to be in high spirits as the couple sought out a restaurant in the city 

Ned looked relaxed in over-shirt, vest and high-waisted trousers during their outing 

The pair were seen crossing one of the city's many bridges during their sight-seeing tour 

The couple mingled with oblivious tourists at a popular selfie spot in the picturesque city 

'What was working behind closed doors didn’t work out so well when it was made public, and the fanfare around them as a couple exploded again,' the source stated.

The source also insisted that the couple's romance was 'genuine', stating 'In spite of some rumours to the contrary, it was never just for the cameras.'

Hayley and Tom began dating in 2020 after meeting on set of Mission: Impossible 7, and were first reported to be an item in December.

Tom, who plays Ethan Hunt in the famous franchise, spent much of the last year shooting the movie across the UK, as well as in Rome, Venice, and Norway.

Though the two had never expressly confirmed their romance, they were said to have become 'fairly inseparable' after they 'hit it off from day one' on the film.

They later visited a street market, where they were seen admiring a series of paintings 

Ned placed a protective hand on Hayley's back as they made their way towards a local restaurant on Saturday 

Her engagement ring was on full display as she repeatedly placed a hand on her stomach 

Hayley followed Ned as they made their way over one of the city's numerous winding canals 

She and Ned saw the funny side as they shared a joke while making their way towards a local restaurant for a bite to eat 

However, by September, the relationship was said to have 'run its course' for the pair.

An insider told The Sun: 'It has been a very intense period of filming together. They really got on well – but as the latest film winds down they've decided to go back to being friends.

'Their filming schedules are very full-on, and Tom has a number of other commitments coming up and is always shooting around by private helicopter and jet so it just ran its course.

'But they're still happy to work together. It's a shame, but just one of those things. They still get on well.'

Hayley and Ned browsed their menus after finding an outdoor table at a Venice eatery 

The couple appeared keen to remain outdoors on a pleasant day in the floating city

Hayley examined her menu after taking a seat alongside Ned in Venice over the weekend 

She was seen foraging in her purse after selecting her lunch from a menu that included a range of fresh pasta, fish ands pizza dishes 

Both Hayley and Ned wore sunglasses on a bright and sunny day in the picturesque city

The couple are yet to confirm a wedding date, despite confirming their engagement last year