Paul Mescal has become one of the most compelling actors of his generation, but he chafes at the perception that he is inherently sad. In a new interview, the 30-year-old Irish star discusses his career, his latest film Hamnet, and his upcoming role as Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes' ambitious Beatles anthology.
A Breakout Star from Normal People
Mescal first captured global attention with his performance in the BBC miniseries Normal People (2020). His portrayal of Connell Waldron, a sensitive and conflicted young man, earned him widespread acclaim and a BAFTA TV Award. Since then, he has carefully built a filmography that balances indie darlings with blockbuster spectacles.
His film debut came in The Lost Daughter (2021), but it was Aftersun (2022) that cemented his reputation. Directed by Charlotte Wells, the film follows a young father hiding his depression from his daughter during a holiday. Mescal's restrained, heartbreaking performance earned him his first Oscar nomination.
From Indie Darling to Gladiator
In 2024, Mescal took on the monumental task of starring in Gladiator 2, Ridley Scott's long-awaited sequel. The film grossed over half a billion dollars worldwide, proving that Mescal could carry a massive action epic. Yet he remains humble about the experience, noting that he struggled with the intense global press tour. "I saw my face everywhere. And if it bores me, I can't imagine what others feel… I sympathize," he says.
Despite his rising fame, Mescal deleted his public Instagram account in 2020, recognizing that keeping it would trap him in a cycle of promotion. He prefers to let his work speak for itself.
Hamnet: The Most Direct Performance
Mescal's latest film, Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao, is a gut-wrenching drama about William Shakespeare and the death of his young son. Mescal plays Shakespeare, and co-star Jessie Buckley plays Agnes Hathaway. The performance required Mescal to abandon his trademark emotional restraint. "It's my most direct performance," he says. The film explores masculine grief and shame, themes Mescal finds compelling.
Chloé Zhao reveals that she initially turned down the project, but after meeting Mescal—who convinced her to read the novel—she signed on. She praises his ability to balance intensity with vulnerability, calling him "one of the rarest great actors of his generation."
Playing Paul McCartney
Mescal has been cast as Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes' four-film Beatles anthology, set to release in 2028. He will sing all the songs himself and has already met McCartney multiple times. "He's a brilliant man. I feel emotionally attached to him," Mescal says. The role gives him a sense of normalcy: for the first time since Normal People, he can go home every night after filming.
Dispelling the Sad Actor Myth
One of the most revealing moments of the interview comes when Mescal addresses the label of being a sad actor. "I don't think I'm sad. To be honest, that idea tires me a bit," he says. He acknowledges that he is drawn to grief, love, and depression in his work, but insists it's an artistic obsession, not a reflection of his personality. Friends and collaborators describe him as warm, generous, and funny—hardly a melancholy figure.
Mescal's humility is a recurring theme. He often deflects praise and highlights the work of others. Chloé Zhao says, "He forgets how hard he works. He stays a bit in the background when talking about himself. I wish he wouldn't fear his own greatness."
On Friendship and Mortality
When asked about his greatest achievement, Mescal doesn't cite awards or blockbusters. Instead, he points to the people he loves and who love him. His friends, including actors Josh O'Connor, Jessie Buckley, and Andrew Scott, all speak of his rare kindness and dedication. He also reveals that if he knew he would die in a year, he would likely continue working because he has never been happier.
He admits he can't imagine himself at 90, partly because it would mean losing many loved ones. But for now, he is grounded, grateful, and intent on making meaningful cinema.
As the interview ends, Mescal pulls up his hood, puts on his Adidas Spezial, and steps out into the night—a prince who flees the crown, a generational talent who simply wants to do his work and disappear.
Source:GQ France News