Paul Mescal's amazing career so far
He will appear in Gladiator 2 in 2024!
Paul Mescal became somewhat of a worldwide phenomenon after he played the role of Connell Waldron in BBC and Hulu drama Normal People in 2020. The 28-year-old from Maynooth in Ireland was in everybody's Internet history as fans across the world tried to discover more about the actor, who isn't active on social media - but don't worry, we've got you covered!
With his 2020 break-out including Normal People, Channel 5's The Deceived, a Rolling Stones music video, a virtual gig with Irish superstar Dermot Kennedy AND an Emmy nomination, it's no surprise he's gone from strength to strength, with some huge projects in the pipeline right now. So, what better time to get to know the Oscar-nominated actor a little bit better, including all the deets about his exciting upcoming roles...
Where have I seen Paul Mescal before?
2013: Gaelic football
Before his acting career took off, Paul played Gaelic football at a high level for Irish team Kildare GAA. Playing as a defender, Paul won a Leinster minor medal in 2013 and even went on to captain the team in 2014!
A jaw injury, as well as a love for acting, put Paul's football career on the back burner, but he was able to revisit it playing the role of Connell in Normal People.
2017: The Great Gatsby and more theatre shows
Fresh from graduating at The Lir Academy at Trinity College Dublin, Paul was offered the lead role in a theatre production of The Great Gatsby.
As well as playing the lead role of Jay Gatsby, Paul went on to play the Prince in a theatre production of The Red Shoes at the Gate Theatre in Dublin.
He has since appeared in a number of other theatre shows in Dublin, including The Plough and the Stars, Asking For It, and The Lieutenant of Inishmore.
2018: Denny's sausages
In 2018 Paul starred in a brilliant advert for Irish sausage company Denny's sausages!
The ad was titled 'Seize the Denny' and featured Paul tucking into some tasty looking sausages, before being inspired to go travelling by creator Henry Denny.
2020: Normal People
Paul got his big acting break in 2019 when it was announced he'd been cast as main character Connell Waldron in the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney's 2018 novel Normal People.
Starring alongside English actress Daisy Edgar-Jones, Paul plays the role of a college student, with the show following the will-they-won't-they relationship between the two lead characters.
Since the show first aired in April 2020, Paul's been shot into the limelight, receiving a tonne of praise across the world for his acting skills.
2020: The Late Late Show
After the success of Normal People not only in the UK, but around the globe, Paul appeared via video chat with his co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones, on The Late Late Show with James Corden.
In what was his first ever late night talk show appearance, Paul spoke about the amazing response Normal People has received.
2020: The Graham Norton Show
In May, Paul joined host Graham Norton for a chat over video call on The Graham Norton Show. As well as discussing the show, Paul found out just how much Normal People fans love Connell's chain.
2020: Save The Stories
In June 2020, Paul joined Save The Children's 'Save With Stories campaign' where he read out Elmer and Super El by author David McKee, a story about a friendship of two elephants.
2020: Emmy nomination
Following his amazing performance in Normal People, Paul was nominated for and Emmy in the category 'Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie'.
Paul's Normal People co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones congratulated her friend online, writing, 'I could not be more proud of these two utterly incredible people, working with you both has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Also huge congrats to @louisekielycasting, you're incredible, and also Sally and Alice and @element_pictures, we smashed it 💥.' (sic)
2020: Virtual gig with Dermot Kennedy
Paul teamed up with Irish singer Dermot Kennedy in July 2020, for a special gig at the Natural History Museum in London.
Speaking about a potential collab between the pair in the future, Dermot said, "Who knows? I love the idea of Irish creatives looking out for each other and collaborating."
2020: The Deceived
Paul starred in four-part Channel 5 thriller The Deceived, playing the role of a volunteer firefighter called Sean.
The actor appeared alongside Hollyoaks and Peaky Blinders star Emmett J. Scanlan, Belgravia actress Emily Reid, and Derry Girls actor Ian McElhinney.
2021: The Lost Daughter
Paul played the role of Will in 2021 psychological drama film The Lost Daughter. Paul starred alongside a stellar cast including Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson, Jessie Buckley, Dagmara Domińczyk, Jack Farthing, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Peter Sarsgaard, and Ed Harris.
2022: Aftersun
In 2022, Paul featured in coming-of-age drama film Aftersun, playing the role of Calum Paterson. Following his appearance, Paul received a BAFTA Film nomination and an Oscar nomination for his role.
2022: God's Creatures
Also in 2022, Paul starred alongside the likes of Emily Watson, Aisling Franciosi, Declan Conlon and Toni O'Rourke in psychological drama film God's Creatures.
2022: Carmen
2022 was a busy year for Paul, with the actor also starring in musical drama Carmen. He played the role of Brian O'Hara alongside actors Melissa Barrera and Rossy de Palma.
2022-2023: A Streetcar Named Desire
Heading back into the world of theatre, Paul played the role of Stanley Kowalski in popular play A Streetcar Named Desire. Paul was awarded with an Olivier Award for Best Actor!
2023: Paul begins filming for Gladiator 2
Gladiator fans have a lot to look forward to, as not only is Ridley Scott's iconic Oscar-winning 2000 film getting a sequel in 2024, but it will star none other than Paul Mescal himself, playing the role of Lucius, the son of Lucilla. 2023 saw the actor begin filming for the highly-anticipated film, with Ouarzazate, Morocco, set as the filming location and the scheduled release date being 22nd November 2024.
2024: All Of Us Strangers
Paul starred alongside fellow Irish actor Andrew Scott in romantic fantasy drama All Of Us Strangers. Although it officially premiered at a film festival in August 2023, the heartbreaking movie was released in cinemas in January 2024 and follows a writer who is forced to confront his childhood traumas. Paul won the British Independent Film Award for Best Supporting Performance, as well as being nominated for a British Academy Film Award in the same category. It's now available to watch on Disney+.
Where is Paul Mescal from?
Paul is from a town called Maynooth in North County Kildare, Ireland. So that accent he pulls off so well as Connell in Normal People is 100% real! 😍
How old is Paul Mescal?
Paul was born on the 2nd February in 1996, making him currently 28-years-old.
Is Paul Mescal in Gladiator 2?
He sure is! Filming for the sequel to Ridley Scott's 2022 movie Gladiator is taking place now, and it's been confirmed that Paul will feature as Lucius, the son of Lucilla.
Paul has been spotted with other cast members such as Pedro Pascal, Peter Mensah and May Calamawy at filming locations in the UK, Malta and Morocco, with the film due for release in November 2024.
What's Paul Mescal in next?
He's rumoured to be appearing in the upcoming Sam Mendes Beatles biopic project. Although it hasn't yet been confirmed, the rumours are circulating that Sam will take on the role of Paul McCartney, with fellow Irish actor Barry Keoghan set to play Ringo Starr. It's also rumoured that Harris Dickinson will portray John Lennon and Charlie Rowe will take on George Harrison.
The project is reportedly going to see four films created simultaneously, with interconnected stories that will show events from each of the four Beatles' perspectives - and it's even had full backing from Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Ringo Starr and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison.
Are Connell and Marianne from Normal People dating in real life?
As much as we would like them to, Connell (Paul Mescal) and Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) are NOT a real-life couple.
However, the pair are really good friends and their on-screen chemistry certainly shows in their friendship.
Who is Paul Mescal dating?
Although Paul is very private about his dating life, in August 2024 he seemed to confirm he's now dating pop star Gracie Abrams, after the pair were spotted kissing in Mayfair, according to Mail Online.
The pair were first pictured together back in June, shopping in London, as well as enjoying a date at Michelin-star restaurant Brat in London's Shoreditch.
Who has Paul Mescal dated in the past?
Paul's ex-girlfriend is Phoebe Bridgers. The pair started dating in 2020, and although they didn't publicly announce their split, rumours were rife that they ended their romance in late 2022.
Speaking to Vanity Fair about wanting to keep his relationship private, Paul said: “But moving forward as much as I can, that’s going to be my life that is private. That’s a difficult thing to achieve. But giving strangers an answer about my life doesn’t actually help me.
“It’s like a quick boost of serotonin, being like: ‘I’ve said what I need to say.’ And then it’s just Twitter fodder.”
In August 2023, Paul chatted with Esquire magazine, where he continued to remain coy about his former relationship. He said: "The only thing you’re left with after love is grief. Which is, like, a bleak thing, but I think it’s just a fact.”
Which awards has Paul Mescal won?
2020:
202\0 was a huge year for Paul, and saw him bag an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie, for his role in Normal People.
2021:
For his performance in Normal People, Paul was awarded a British Academy Television Award for Best Actor, as well as receiving an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.
Paul was also given the award for Lead Actor – TV Drama (Normal People) at the 2021 Irish Film & Television Awards.
2023:
Paul won Best Actor at the 2023 Olivier Award for his role in the play A Streetcar Named Desire.
At the Irish Film & Television Awards in 2023, Paul won Lead Actor – Film (Aftersun).
In 2023, he also received a BAFTA Film nomination and an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for his role in 2022 film Aftersun.
Where did Paul Mescal go to college?
Paul isn't just a pretty face! Just like his character Connell in Normal People, Paul is also very brainy. The budding actor graduated from The Lir Academy at Trinity College in Dublin, back in 2017.
How do I follow Paul Mescal on social media?
Unlike his fellow famous faces, Paul is not as active on social media as he once was, with the star deleting his Instagram page in April 2021.
Speaking to Bazaar in August 2023, Paul spoke of the public's interest in his personal life, saying: "Eighty percent of that is palatable. And then 20 percent of it is devastating." He then continued: "The stuff that hurts is the personal stuff. It’s nobody else’s business and should never be commented on because it’s indecent. And it’s unkind. Honest answer, it makes me angry.... It’s the entitlement to the information that people expect that just drives me f---ing mad."
His Twitter is still active, however, but the 27-year-old has not tweeted since August 2020. But, if you fancy it, you can follow Paul on Twitter at: mescal_paul
Connell's chain from Normal People
Paul sported a chain necklace during his tenure as Connell on the show, and Connell's chain has became just as popular as the show - even gaining a fan account on Instagram!
As he had it in his possession, Paul went on to donate the chain to raise money for suicide prevention charity Pieta, saying: "I am delighted to be able to help out Pieta by raffling off my chain that has taken on a following of its own since Normal People hit television screens."
Can Paul Mescal sing?
Yes he can! It seems Paul's talents are pretty much endless. Not only is he an amazing Gaelic football player, his acting skills are out of the world and he's also a very talented musician!
In the past, Paul has posted videos of himself on social media singing whilst playing the piano, sounding beautiful may we add.
In July 2020, Paul teamed up with Irish singer Dermot Kennedy for a special gig at the Natural History Museum in London.
Dermot performed some of his songs including 'Power Over Me' and 'Giants, while Paul read out spoken word sections in between the songs at the impressive venue.
And it seems that musical talent runs in his family, as his sister Nell Mescal is also an accomplished singer.
Is Paul Mescal a footballer?
Irish hunk Paul plays Gaelic football, an Irish team sport which is like a cross between rugby and football. Paul actually played in defence at Under 21 level for Kildare GAA and he also played for his college side Maynooth GAA.
Unfortunately, Paul suffered a jaw injury and decided to give up his football career.
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