Hayley Atwell is opening up about her close friendship with Mission: Impossible co-star Tom Cruise and a memorable gesture that left a lasting impact. During a recent radio appearance, the actress shared a surprising Christmas story involving Cruise and her grandmother, offering rare insight into their off-screen bond.

Here's what Atwell revealed about the unusual gift, how her grandmother reacted, and what it shows about Cruise's generosity.

Hayley Atwell gushes about Tom Cruise

Hayley Atwell revealed on Heart Radio that Tom Cruise once gave her grandmother a surprise helicopter ride over London on Christmas Eve.

Speaking to Pandora Christie, Atwell shared that the gesture was not only generous but also deeply meaningful. "He did give my grandmother a lift in a helicopter on Christmas Eve at sunset a few years ago. And that was a great gift that he gave me," she said (via DailyMail.)

Atwell recounted how she orchestrated the surprise. She took her grandmother to a heliport café, where Cruise appeared unexpectedly. "She didn't know," Atwell said. "And then all of a sudden Tom Cruise walks round the corner and goes 'hi'... and he goes 'are ready to go on a helicopter with me?' and she just went 'yep!'" Atwell added that her grandmother, who initially claimed she wouldn't board a helicopter, walked in unaided and embraced the experience.

Cruise explained each part of the ride, helping Atwell's grandmother feel safe. "He was so kind and gentle... with a description of every sort of technical aspect of it," Atwell said. "It was beautiful and so peaceful... seeing the look on her face... was just a testament to how generous he is."

Atwell and Cruise have worked together on the last two Mission: Impossible films, developing a close friendship. They recently shared a warm moment on the red carpet at the New York premiere of Mission: Impossible 8, which took place at Lincoln Center.

While Cruise is currently linked to actress Ana de Armas, Atwell previously dismissed rumors of a romantic relationship with him. In an interview with The Independent, she clarified, "He was more like an uncle." She added, "It becomes invasive," referring to speculation involving her personal life.