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Wikipedia

Paul Mescal

Paul Mescal (/ˈmɛskəl/;[1][2] born 2 February 1996) is an Irish actor. Born in Maynooth, he studied acting at The Lir Academy and subsequently performed in plays in Dublin theatres. Mescal rose to fame with his role in the miniseries Normal People (2020), earning a BAFTA TV Award and a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award.

Paul Mescal
Mescal in 2023
Born (1996-02-02) 2 February 1996 (age 27)
Alma materTrinity College Dublin (BA)
OccupationActor
Years active2017–present
RelativesNell Mescal (sister)
AwardsFull list

Mescal made his film debut with a supporting role in the psychological drama The Lost Daughter (2021), and he received praise for starring in the 2022 drama films God's Creatures and Aftersun. His performance as a troubled father in the latter earned him nominations for an Academy Award and BAFTA Film Award. Mescal won a Laurence Olivier Award for his portrayal of Stanley Kowalski in a 2022 revival of the play A Streetcar Named Desire.

Early life and education edit

Mescal was born on 2 February 1996 in Maynooth, County Kildare, to Dearbhla, a Garda officer, and Paul, a schoolteacher who acted semi-professionally as well.[3][4] The eldest of three children, he has a brother and a sister.[5][6] He attended Maynooth Post Primary School.[7] He was a minor and under-21 Gaelic football player for Kildare and a member of the Maynooth GAA club.[8][9] Gaelic footballer Brian Lacey praised Mescal's skills as a defender,[10] while physical trainer Cian O'Neill described him as "mature beyond his years ... very developed and very strong".[11] He gave up the sport after a jaw injury.[12] Mescal performed on stage for the first time at age 16, portraying the titular Phantom in the musical The Phantom of the Opera,[5][7] after which he auditioned and gained admission to The Lir Academy at Trinity College Dublin.[13] Mescal graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting in 2017.[14] He secured agents for his acting career prior to his graduation.[13]

Career edit

Theatre and television roles (2017–2020) edit

Upon obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree, Mescal was offered roles in two theatre productions, Angela's Ashes and The Great Gatsby; he took on the latter and starred as the titular Jay Gatsby at the Gate Theatre in Dublin.[15] The Irish Times Peter Crawley highlighted his work as a "butterfly of self-creation among an ensemble in constant motion and fluttering improvisation".[16] He also portrayed the Prince in a contemporary retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's The Red Shoes at the same theatre that year.[17] Mescal appeared in the world premiere of the 2018 play Asking for It by Louise O'Neill at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin; Steve Cummins of The Times commended his distinctive performance.[18] That same year, Mescal made his London stage debut in The Plough and the Stars at the Lyric Hammersmith and starred in the Rough Magic Theatre Company's productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream for the Kilkenny Arts Festival and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man for the Dublin Theatre Festival.[19] In 2020, he performed in the play The Lieutenant of Inishmore at Dublin's Gaiety Theatre.[20]

Mescal starred in his first television role in the drama miniseries Normal People, an adaptation of the 2018 novel of the same name by Sally Rooney.[21] It premiered in the UK on BBC Three and in the US on Hulu in 2020.[22][23] He played student Connell Waldron; he viewed the role as different from himself in the way Waldron's traits include hesitance and emotional unavailability.[13] Like the actor did in real life, the character plays Gaelic football and attends Trinity College.[24] The role propelled Mescal to fame.[5][25] He earned acclaim as well as the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor for his performance.[26][27] In their respective reviews for Variety and Slate, Caroline Framke called Mescal's navigation through the character's emotional collapse "breathtaking", while Willa Paskin noted his concurrent embodiment of "intelligence, insecurity and quiet confidence".[28][29] He also received nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie and the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries.[30][31]

Mescal starred in Drifting, a short film, which was screened at the 2020 Galway Film Fleadh.[32] He played a firefighter in the Channel 5 miniseries The Deceived and appeared in the music video for the song "Scarlet" by The Rolling Stones in August.[33][34] Reviewing The Deceived, The Independent critic Ed Power highlighted Mescal's effortless "sleepy-eyed charm" and "flawless" Donegal accent.[35]

Film breakthrough (2021–present) edit

 
Mescal at the 2022 Directors' Fortnight

Mescal made his feature film debut with a supporting role in The Lost Daughter, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal in her directorial debut.[36] Released in 2021, the psychological drama garnered favourable reviews.[37][38] The following year, Mescal starred as a man accused of sexual assault in the psychological drama God's Creatures and as a troubled young father in the drama Aftersun, both of which premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. The two films received positive reviews, with Mescal's performances gaining praise.[39][40] IndieWire critic Kate Erbland found Mescal's work in God's Creatures "powerful" and "quietly chilling".[41] Reviewing Aftersun, Peter Travers of ABC News highlighted his "disarming charm and elemental power" in his portrayal of a "complex role".[42] He received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actor and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for the latter.[43][44]

Mescal starred in Carmen, a contemporary film adaptation of the opera of the same name. It premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival and was theatrically released in 2023.[45] IndieWire's David Ehrlich stated that Mescal's role as a veteran asserts his "gravitas" and "poise".[46] Mescal began portraying Stanley Kowalski in a revival of the play A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams at the Almeida Theatre in December 2022. The production garnered acclaim and transferred to the West End in March 2023.[47][48] The Times's Dominic Maxwell found him "tremendous" and opined that he "makes the latent violence of Stanley Kowalski into something easy, tangible, vibrant yet unactorly".[49] Mescal won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor for the portrayal.[50]

In 2023, Mescal starred alongside Andrew Scott in All of Us Strangers, an adaptation of the fantasy romance novel Strangers by Taichi Yamada.[51] It premiered at the 50th Telluride Film Festival.[52] The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney commended the "warm, sexy chemistry" between Mescal and Scott.[53] He starred opposite Saoirse Ronan in Foe, an adaptation of Iain Reid's science fiction novel of the same name.[54] The film was not well-received by critics.[55][56]

Mescal replaced Blake Jenner in the lead role of composer Franklin Shepard in Richard Linklater's Merrily We Roll Along, a film adaptation of the 1981 musical of the same name, which is set be filmed over 20 years.[57] He is also set to star in Gladiator 2, Ridley Scott's sequel to the 2000 historical drama.[58]

Personal life edit

Mescal speaks English and the Irish language.[59][60] He moved from his native Ireland to London in 2020.[61] Mescal stated in 2022 that he had purchased a property in Ireland, with the intention of spending time there when he is not working. He is open about seeing a therapist, which he says is "to keep sane".[62] Mescal has said that "the entitlement to the information that people expect" angers him and that private matters "should never be commented on" because it is "indecent" as well as "unkind".[63] Mescal was in a relationship with singer Phoebe Bridgers.[63] He appeared in Bridgers' music video for the song "Savior Complex", directed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge.[64]

Mescal plays the piano,[12] and has performed covers of songs with his sister, singer Nell Mescal.[65] In July 2020, the actor performed spoken word and sang with singer Dermot Kennedy at the London Natural History Museum.[66] He participated in a virtual stage reading of the play This Is Our Youth by Kenneth Lonergan as part of a series to benefit the Actors Fund of America charity in October of the same year.[67] In 2023, he became a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.[68]

Acting credits edit

Key
Denotes productions that have not yet been released

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2020 Drifting Cian Short film [32]
2021 The Lost Daughter Will [36]
2022 Aftersun Calum Paterson [39]
God's Creatures Brian O'Hara [39]
Carmen Aidan [45]
2023 All of Us Strangers Harry [53]
Foe Junior [54]
2024 Gladiator 2 Lucius Filming [58]
TBA Merrily We Roll Along Franklin Shepard Filming [57]

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2020 Normal People Connell Waldron Miniseries [22]
The Deceived Sean McKeogh Miniseries [33]

Music videos edit

Year Title Artist(s) Ref.
2020 "Scarlet" The Rolling Stones [34]
"Savior Complex" Phoebe Bridgers [64]

Theatre edit

Discography edit

Soundtrack edit

Year Song Film Ref.
2023 "Slip Away" Carmen [69][70]
"Lullaby / Beyond – Vive La Musique"

Accolades edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Rapid Fire Questions: Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones • Normal People". Hulu. 6 May 2020. from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Paul Mescal Goes Undercover on YouTube, Twitter and Wikipedia". GQ. 19 October 2020. from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Paul Mescal: Age, Height & Dating Details Of 'Normal People' Actor". Capital FM. from the original on 3 May 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  4. ^ Armstrong, Maggie (11 January 2020). "Readers' expectations are the 'biggest source of anxiety' – Paul Mescal on tackling role of Connell in Normal People". Irish Independent. from the original on 31 May 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Paiella, Gabriella (19 October 2020). "How Paul Mescal Became the Crush of the Year". GQ. from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  6. ^ Glasgow, Abigail (29 April 2020). "'Normal People' Star Paul Mescal Showed His Parents the Sex Scenes". Paper. from the original on 2 May 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  7. ^ a b Lloyd, Brian (2 May 2020). "Here's 'Normal People' star Paul Mescal performing 'Phantom of the Opera' as a teen". Entertainment.ie. from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  8. ^ Ward, Patrick (16 December 2017). "From Kildare football star to Irish theatre star – Mescal revelling on a new stage". Kildare Now. from the original on 3 November 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  9. ^ Regan, Jarlath (25 April 2020). "Paul Mescal". An Irishman Abroad (Podcast). SoundCloud. from the original on 19 June 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  10. ^ Lawlor, Damian (28 July 2017). "Lacey backs Kildare to prosper without one that got away". The Sunday Times. from the original on 3 November 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  11. ^ Keane, Paul (14 May 2020). "Former Kildare boss Cian O'Neill got a glimpse of Paul Mescal's acting talent". Irish Examiner. from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  12. ^ a b Fitch Little, Harriet (16 March 2020). "Meet the Charismatic Stars of the Highly-Anticipated Normal People Adaptation". Vogue. from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  13. ^ a b c Heaf, Jonathan (28 November 2020). "Paul Mescal: 'I had no control over one of the biggest moments in my life'". British GQ. from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  14. ^ Fenwick, George (1 June 2020). "Who is Paul Mescal? The Normal People actor who plays Connell". Evening Standard. from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  15. ^ a b c Green, Alex (6 August 2020). "Paul Mescal: From TV debut to Rolling Stones music video in less than a year". Belfast Telegraph. from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  16. ^ Crawley, Peter (13 July 2017). "The Great Gatsby at the Gate: a magnificently entertaining, dizzying party". The Irish Times. from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  17. ^ a b Sweeney, Tanya (15 December 2017). "'It was tough... but I've stepped into a time in Irish theatre that's really alive'". The Irish Times. from the original on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  18. ^ a b Cummins, Steve (17 November 2018). "Review: Asking For It at Abbey Theatre, Dublin". The Times. from the original on 17 November 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2020. Paul Mescal delivers a standout performance as Bryan, Emma's sympathetic brother.
  19. ^ a b c Crawley, Peter (4 August 2018). "It's a kind of magic: electric midsummer night's dreams in Kilkenny Castle". The Irish Times. from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  20. ^ a b Charleton, Fiona (9 February 2020). "Theatre review: The Lieutenant of Inishmore". The Times. from the original on 9 February 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  21. ^ Mangan, Lucy (26 April 2020). "Normal People review – Sally Rooney's love story is a small-screen triumph". The Guardian. from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  22. ^ a b Goldsbrough, Susannah (22 April 2020). "Normal People, first-look review: a riveting romance for the millennial age". The Daily Telegraph. from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2020. Normal People arrives as a boxset on BBC Three on April 26.
  23. ^ Holmes, Linda (29 April 2020). "Review: 'Normal People' Skillfully Adapts Sally Rooney's Novel". NPR. from the original on 29 April 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  24. ^ Machell, Ben (18 May 2020). "Paul Mescal: the heart-throb star of Sally Rooney's Normal People". The Times. from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  25. ^ Rao, Sonia (4 November 2022). "Paul Mescal on 'Aftersun,' disaster movies and that 'Normal People' ending". The Washington Post. from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  26. ^ Garner, Dwight; Poniewozik, James; Sehgal, Parul; Szalai, Jennifer (15 May 2020). "Bringing 'Normal People' to Sexy, Soundtracked Life". The New York Times. from the original on 4 January 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  27. ^ Kanter, Jake (6 June 2021). "BAFTA TV Awards Winners: 'I May Destroy You' Triumphs; Paul Mescal Wins Best Actor; 'The Crown' Snubbed". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  28. ^ Framke, Caroline (22 April 2020). "'Normal People' Review: Hulu's Sally Rooney Adaptation is Bruising". Variety. from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  29. ^ Paskin, Willa (24 April 2020). "Normal People, Hulu's swoony adaptation of Sally Rooney's novel, reviewed". Slate. from the original on 6 January 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  30. ^ Villarreal, Yvonne (28 July 2020). "Emmys 2020: Paul Mescal of 'Normal People' on his nomination". Los Angeles Times. from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  31. ^ Schneider, Michael (18 January 2021). "'Ozark,' 'The Crown' and Netflix Lead 26th Annual Critics' Choice Awards TV Nominations". Variety. from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  32. ^ a b "Granard film to feature in Galway Film Fleadh". The Anglo-Celt. 8 July 2020. from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  33. ^ a b Carr, Flora (4 August 2020). "The Deceived's creators: 'There was a buzz about Paul Mescal – but no one predicted this'". Radio Times. from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  34. ^ a b Greene, Andy (6 August 2020). "Watch the New Rolling Stones Video 'Scarlet,' Starring Paul Mescal". Rolling Stone. from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  35. ^ Power, Ed (4 August 2020). "The Deceived review: Paul Mescal conjures his sleepy-eyed charm in this silly and likeable caper". The Independent. from the original on 5 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  36. ^ a b Galuppo, Mia (28 August 2020). "'Normal People' Breakout Paul Mescal Joins Maggie Gyllenhaal Directorial Debut 'The Lost Daughter' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. from the original on 28 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  37. ^ Goldsmith, Jill (17 December 2021). "'The Lost Daughter,' 'The Novice,' 'The Tender Bar' Open Into 'Spider-Man' Maelstrom, Covid Jitters – Specialty Preview". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  38. ^ Paterson, Colin (16 December 2021). "The Lost Daughter: Olivia Colman on her 'searingly honest' film on motherhood". BBC News. from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  39. ^ a b c Seth, Radhika (23 May 2022). "Paul Mescal Is Taking Cannes By Storm". British Vogue. from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  40. ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (24 May 2022). "A24 Buys Paul Mescal Cannes Drama 'Aftersun' for U.S., Canada (Exclusive)". IndieWire. from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  41. ^ Erbland, Kate (19 May 2022). "'God's Creatures' Review: Emily Watson and Paul Mescal Crackle in Chilly Irish Family Drama". IndieWire. from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  42. ^ Travers, Peter (4 November 2022). "'Aftersun' review: This is the best film of the year by a first time writer-director". ABC News. from the original on 4 November 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  43. ^ Lang, Brent; Moreau, Jordan (24 January 2023). "Oscar Nominations 2023: The Full List". Variety. from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  44. ^ Ravindran, Manori (19 January 2023). "BAFTA Awards Nominations Unveiled: 'All Quiet on the Western Front' Leads Race, 'Banshees' & 'Everything Everywhere' Come Up Strong". Variety. from the original on 23 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  45. ^ a b Lambert, Harper (1 February 2023). "'Carmen' Starring Paul Mescal and Melissa Barrera Gets Theatrical Release From Sony Pictures Classics". TheWrap. from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  46. ^ Ehrlich, David (22 September 2022). "'Carmen' Review: Lovers on the Run in Benjamin Millepied's Unclassifiable Dance Odyssey". IndieWire. from the original on 19 May 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  47. ^ a b "A Streetcar Named Desire at 75: Blanche, Stanley, and the Tennessee Williams play that still haunts us". The Independent. 19 December 2022. from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  48. ^ a b Wiegand, Chris (25 January 2023). "A Streetcar Named Desire with Paul Mescal transfers to West End". The Guardian. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  49. ^ Maxwell, Dominic (13 January 2023). "A Streetcar Named Desire review — Magnetic Paul Mescal is no normal leading man". The Times. from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  50. ^ Gumuchian, Marie-louise (2 April 2023). "Paul Mescal, Jodie Comer win prizes at London theatre's Olivier awards". Reuters. from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  51. ^ Canfield, David (23 August 2023). "Inside All of Us Strangers, Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal's Metaphysical Love Story". Vanity Fair. from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  52. ^ Davis, Clayton (30 August 2023). "Telluride Lineup Includes World Premieres of 'Saltburn,' 'The Bikeriders' and 'Rustin' With Tributes for Yorgos Lanthimos and Wim Wenders". Variety. from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  53. ^ a b Rooney, David (31 August 2023). "All of Us Strangers Release Date Set for December". The Hollywood Reporter. from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  54. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (15 August 2023). "'Foe' Release Date: Saoirse Ronan-Paul Mescal Sci-Fi Film Due In Fall Via Amazon". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  55. ^ London, Rob (20 November 2023). "'Foe' Finds Its Streaming Home". Collider. from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  56. ^ Guarnieri, Isabella (3 November 2023). "Why did Foe flop?". Dazed. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  57. ^ a b Sneider, Jeff (9 January 2023). "Exclusive: Paul Mescal Replaces Blake Jenner in Richard Linklater's 20-Year Movie Merrily We Roll Along". AboveTheLine. from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  58. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (6 January 2023). "Paul Mescal To Star In Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator' Sequel For Paramount". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on 6 January 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  59. ^ Parkel, Inga (20 February 2023). "Paul Mescal wows fans with fluent Irish interview on Baftas red carpet". The Independent. from the original on 23 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  60. ^ Fahy, Claire (24 February 2023). "'Bursting Proud': Ireland Cheers Paul Mescal for Embracing Irish Language". The New York Times. from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  61. ^ Kaufman, Amy (7 July 2020). "'Normal People' stars can't wait until they can go out for a beer and dance together". Los Angeles Times. from the original on 7 July 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  62. ^ Hodgkin, Beatrice (16 December 2022). "The quiet magnetism of Paul Mescal". Financial Times. from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  63. ^ a b De Loera, Carlos (17 August 2023). "Paul Mescal is 'angry' that entitled fans want personal info". Los Angeles Times. from the original on 18 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  64. ^ a b Savage, Mark (1 December 2020). "Paul Mescal stars in Phoebe Bridgers' music video for Savior Complex". BBC News. from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  65. ^ Corcoran, Mark (31 July 2020). "Normal People star Paul Mescal and sister Nell show off amazing talent in incredible duet". Irish Mirror. from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  66. ^ Hodgkinson, Will (31 July 2020). "Dermot Kennedy and Paul Mescal review — an atmospheric and imaginative livestream show". The Times. from the original on 31 July 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  67. ^ Evans, Greg (7 October 2020). "Morgan Freeman, Laurie Metcalf, Ellen Burstyn, Laura Linney, Matthew Broderick Among All-Star Lineup For Virtual Broadway Play Series". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  68. ^ Pedersen, Erik (28 June 2023). "Movie Academy Invites Nearly 400 New Members Including Taylor Swift, Ke Huy Quan, The Daniels & Austin Butler". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on 13 September 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  69. ^ Kreps, Daniel (21 April 2023). "See Paul Mescal Make Music Debut With 'Slip Away' From 'Carmen'". Rolling Stone. from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  70. ^ "Carmen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes. 21 April 2023. from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.

External links edit

paul, mescal, born, february, 1996, irish, actor, born, maynooth, studied, acting, academy, subsequently, performed, plays, dublin, theatres, mescal, rose, fame, with, role, miniseries, normal, people, 2020, earning, bafta, award, nomination, primetime, emmy, . Paul Mescal ˈ m ɛ s k el 1 2 born 2 February 1996 is an Irish actor Born in Maynooth he studied acting at The Lir Academy and subsequently performed in plays in Dublin theatres Mescal rose to fame with his role in the miniseries Normal People 2020 earning a BAFTA TV Award and a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award Paul MescalMescal in 2023Born 1996 02 02 2 February 1996 age 27 Maynooth County Kildare IrelandAlma materTrinity College Dublin BA OccupationActorYears active2017 presentRelativesNell Mescal sister AwardsFull listMescal made his film debut with a supporting role in the psychological drama The Lost Daughter 2021 and he received praise for starring in the 2022 drama films God s Creatures and Aftersun His performance as a troubled father in the latter earned him nominations for an Academy Award and BAFTA Film Award Mescal won a Laurence Olivier Award for his portrayal of Stanley Kowalski in a 2022 revival of the play A Streetcar Named Desire Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Career 2 1 Theatre and television roles 2017 2020 2 2 Film breakthrough 2021 present 3 Personal life 4 Acting credits 4 1 Film 4 2 Television 4 3 Music videos 4 4 Theatre 5 Discography 5 1 Soundtrack 6 Accolades 7 References 8 External linksEarly life and education editMescal was born on 2 February 1996 in Maynooth County Kildare to Dearbhla a Garda officer and Paul a schoolteacher who acted semi professionally as well 3 4 The eldest of three children he has a brother and a sister 5 6 He attended Maynooth Post Primary School 7 He was a minor and under 21 Gaelic football player for Kildare and a member of the Maynooth GAA club 8 9 Gaelic footballer Brian Lacey praised Mescal s skills as a defender 10 while physical trainer Cian O Neill described him as mature beyond his years very developed and very strong 11 He gave up the sport after a jaw injury 12 Mescal performed on stage for the first time at age 16 portraying the titular Phantom in the musical The Phantom of the Opera 5 7 after which he auditioned and gained admission to The Lir Academy at Trinity College Dublin 13 Mescal graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting in 2017 14 He secured agents for his acting career prior to his graduation 13 Career editTheatre and television roles 2017 2020 edit Upon obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree Mescal was offered roles in two theatre productions Angela s Ashes and The Great Gatsby he took on the latter and starred as the titular Jay Gatsby at the Gate Theatre in Dublin 15 The Irish Times Peter Crawley highlighted his work as a butterfly of self creation among an ensemble in constant motion and fluttering improvisation 16 He also portrayed the Prince in a contemporary retelling of Hans Christian Andersen s The Red Shoes at the same theatre that year 17 Mescal appeared in the world premiere of the 2018 play Asking for It by Louise O Neill at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin Steve Cummins of The Times commended his distinctive performance 18 That same year Mescal made his London stage debut in The Plough and the Stars at the Lyric Hammersmith and starred in the Rough Magic Theatre Company s productions of A Midsummer Night s Dream for the Kilkenny Arts Festival and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man for the Dublin Theatre Festival 19 In 2020 he performed in the play The Lieutenant of Inishmore at Dublin s Gaiety Theatre 20 Mescal starred in his first television role in the drama miniseries Normal People an adaptation of the 2018 novel of the same name by Sally Rooney 21 It premiered in the UK on BBC Three and in the US on Hulu in 2020 22 23 He played student Connell Waldron he viewed the role as different from himself in the way Waldron s traits include hesitance and emotional unavailability 13 Like the actor did in real life the character plays Gaelic football and attends Trinity College 24 The role propelled Mescal to fame 5 25 He earned acclaim as well as the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor for his performance 26 27 In their respective reviews for Variety and Slate Caroline Framke called Mescal s navigation through the character s emotional collapse breathtaking while Willa Paskin noted his concurrent embodiment of intelligence insecurity and quiet confidence 28 29 He also received nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie and the Critics Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Movie Miniseries 30 31 Mescal starred in Drifting a short film which was screened at the 2020 Galway Film Fleadh 32 He played a firefighter in the Channel 5 miniseries The Deceived and appeared in the music video for the song Scarlet by The Rolling Stones in August 33 34 Reviewing The Deceived The Independent critic Ed Power highlighted Mescal s effortless sleepy eyed charm and flawless Donegal accent 35 Film breakthrough 2021 present edit nbsp Mescal at the 2022 Directors FortnightMescal made his feature film debut with a supporting role in The Lost Daughter directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal in her directorial debut 36 Released in 2021 the psychological drama garnered favourable reviews 37 38 The following year Mescal starred as a man accused of sexual assault in the psychological drama God s Creatures and as a troubled young father in the drama Aftersun both of which premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival The two films received positive reviews with Mescal s performances gaining praise 39 40 IndieWire critic Kate Erbland found Mescal s work in God s Creatures powerful and quietly chilling 41 Reviewing Aftersun Peter Travers of ABC News highlighted his disarming charm and elemental power in his portrayal of a complex role 42 He received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actor and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for the latter 43 44 Mescal starred in Carmen a contemporary film adaptation of the opera of the same name It premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival and was theatrically released in 2023 45 IndieWire s David Ehrlich stated that Mescal s role as a veteran asserts his gravitas and poise 46 Mescal began portraying Stanley Kowalski in a revival of the play A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams at the Almeida Theatre in December 2022 The production garnered acclaim and transferred to the West End in March 2023 47 48 The Times s Dominic Maxwell found him tremendous and opined that he makes the latent violence of Stanley Kowalski into something easy tangible vibrant yet unactorly 49 Mescal won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor for the portrayal 50 In 2023 Mescal starred alongside Andrew Scott in All of Us Strangers an adaptation of the fantasy romance novel Strangers by Taichi Yamada 51 It premiered at the 50th Telluride Film Festival 52 The Hollywood Reporter s David Rooney commended the warm sexy chemistry between Mescal and Scott 53 He starred opposite Saoirse Ronan in Foe an adaptation of Iain Reid s science fiction novel of the same name 54 The film was not well received by critics 55 56 Mescal replaced Blake Jenner in the lead role of composer Franklin Shepard in Richard Linklater s Merrily We Roll Along a film adaptation of the 1981 musical of the same name which is set be filmed over 20 years 57 He is also set to star in Gladiator 2 Ridley Scott s sequel to the 2000 historical drama 58 Personal life editMescal speaks English and the Irish language 59 60 He moved from his native Ireland to London in 2020 61 Mescal stated in 2022 that he had purchased a property in Ireland with the intention of spending time there when he is not working He is open about seeing a therapist which he says is to keep sane 62 Mescal has said that the entitlement to the information that people expect angers him and that private matters should never be commented on because it is indecent as well as unkind 63 Mescal was in a relationship with singer Phoebe Bridgers 63 He appeared in Bridgers music video for the song Savior Complex directed by Phoebe Waller Bridge 64 Mescal plays the piano 12 and has performed covers of songs with his sister singer Nell Mescal 65 In July 2020 the actor performed spoken word and sang with singer Dermot Kennedy at the London Natural History Museum 66 He participated in a virtual stage reading of the play This Is Our Youth by Kenneth Lonergan as part of a series to benefit the Actors Fund of America charity in October of the same year 67 In 2023 he became a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 68 Acting credits editKey Denotes productions that have not yet been releasedFilm edit Year Title Role Notes Ref 2020 Drifting Cian Short film 32 2021 The Lost Daughter Will 36 2022 Aftersun Calum Paterson 39 God s Creatures Brian O Hara 39 Carmen Aidan 45 2023 All of Us Strangers Harry 53 Foe Junior 54 2024 Gladiator 2 Lucius Filming 58 TBA Merrily We Roll Along Franklin Shepard Filming 57 Television edit Year Title Role Notes Ref 2020 Normal People Connell Waldron Miniseries 22 The Deceived Sean McKeogh Miniseries 33 Music videos edit Year Title Artist s Ref 2020 Scarlet The Rolling Stones 34 Savior Complex Phoebe Bridgers 64 Theatre edit Year Title Role Notes Ref 2017 The Great Gatsby Jay Gatsby Gate Theatre Dublin 15 2017 2018 The Red Shoes Prince Gate Theatre Dublin 17 2018 The Plough and the Stars Lieutenant Langon Lyric Theatre London 15 Asking for It Bryan Abbey Theatre Dublin 18 A Midsummer Night s Dream Demetrius Kilkenny Arts Festival 19 A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Stephen Dedalus Dublin Theatre Festival 19 2020 The Lieutenant of Inishmore Mad Padraic Gaiety Theatre Dublin 20 2022 2023 A Streetcar Named Desire Stanley Kowalski Almeida Theatre LondonPhoenix Theatre London 47 48 Discography editSoundtrack edit Year Song Film Ref 2023 Slip Away Carmen 69 70 Lullaby Beyond Vive La Musique Accolades editMain article List of awards and nominations received by Paul MescalReferences edit Rapid Fire Questions Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar Jones Normal People Hulu 6 May 2020 Archived from the original on 24 May 2022 Retrieved 24 May 2022 Paul Mescal Goes Undercover on YouTube Twitter and Wikipedia GQ 19 October 2020 Archived from the original on 24 May 2022 Retrieved 24 May 2022 Paul Mescal Age Height amp Dating Details Of Normal People Actor Capital FM Archived from the original on 3 May 2020 Retrieved 10 November 2020 Armstrong Maggie 11 January 2020 Readers expectations are the biggest source of anxiety Paul Mescal on tackling role of Connell in Normal People Irish Independent Archived from the original on 31 May 2020 Retrieved 13 February 2020 a b c Paiella Gabriella 19 October 2020 How Paul Mescal Became the Crush of the Year GQ Archived from the original on 25 January 2021 Retrieved 8 June 2021 Glasgow Abigail 29 April 2020 Normal People Star Paul Mescal Showed His Parents the Sex Scenes Paper Archived from the original on 2 May 2020 Retrieved 30 August 2020 a b Lloyd Brian 2 May 2020 Here s Normal People star Paul Mescal performing Phantom of the Opera as a teen Entertainment ie Archived from the original on 29 November 2020 Retrieved 10 September 2021 Ward Patrick 16 December 2017 From Kildare football star to Irish theatre star Mescal revelling on a new stage Kildare Now Archived from the original on 3 November 2019 Retrieved 3 November 2019 Regan Jarlath 25 April 2020 Paul Mescal An Irishman Abroad Podcast SoundCloud Archived from the original on 19 June 2020 Retrieved 20 July 2020 Lawlor Damian 28 July 2017 Lacey backs Kildare to prosper without one that got away The Sunday Times Archived from the original on 3 November 2019 Retrieved 3 November 2019 Keane Paul 14 May 2020 Former Kildare boss Cian O Neill got a glimpse of Paul Mescal s acting talent Irish Examiner Archived from the original on 6 June 2020 Retrieved 14 May 2020 a b Fitch Little Harriet 16 March 2020 Meet the Charismatic Stars of the Highly Anticipated Normal People Adaptation Vogue Archived from the original on 6 April 2020 Retrieved 16 March 2020 a b c Heaf Jonathan 28 November 2020 Paul Mescal I had no control over one of the biggest moments in my life British GQ Archived from the original on 1 February 2021 Retrieved 8 June 2021 Fenwick George 1 June 2020 Who is Paul Mescal The Normal People actor who plays Connell Evening Standard Archived from the original on 29 April 2021 Retrieved 29 April 2021 a b c Green Alex 6 August 2020 Paul Mescal From TV debut to Rolling Stones music video in less than a year Belfast Telegraph Archived from the original on 20 September 2020 Retrieved 30 August 2020 Crawley Peter 13 July 2017 The Great Gatsby at the Gate a magnificently entertaining dizzying party The Irish Times Archived from the original on 21 November 2022 Retrieved 3 February 2023 a b Sweeney Tanya 15 December 2017 It was tough but I ve stepped into a time in Irish theatre that s really alive The Irish Times Archived from the original on 15 December 2017 Retrieved 3 November 2019 a b Cummins Steve 17 November 2018 Review Asking For It at Abbey Theatre Dublin The Times Archived from the original on 17 November 2018 Retrieved 28 August 2020 Paul Mescal delivers a standout performance as Bryan Emma s sympathetic brother a b c Crawley Peter 4 August 2018 It s a kind of magic electric midsummer night s dreams in Kilkenny Castle The Irish Times Archived from the original on 4 August 2018 Retrieved 3 November 2019 a b Charleton Fiona 9 February 2020 Theatre review The Lieutenant of Inishmore The Times Archived from the original on 9 February 2020 Retrieved 31 August 2020 Mangan Lucy 26 April 2020 Normal People review Sally Rooney s love story is a small screen triumph The Guardian Archived from the original on 26 April 2020 Retrieved 2 September 2020 a b Goldsbrough Susannah 22 April 2020 Normal People first look review a riveting romance for the millennial age The Daily Telegraph Archived from the original on 14 January 2021 Retrieved 28 August 2020 Normal People arrives as a boxset on BBC Three on April 26 Holmes Linda 29 April 2020 Review Normal People Skillfully Adapts Sally Rooney s Novel NPR Archived from the original on 29 April 2020 Retrieved 28 August 2020 Machell Ben 18 May 2020 Paul Mescal the heart throb star of Sally Rooney s Normal People The Times Archived from the original on 6 February 2021 Retrieved 5 July 2021 Rao Sonia 4 November 2022 Paul Mescal on Aftersun disaster movies and that Normal People ending The Washington Post Archived from the original on 1 February 2023 Retrieved 1 February 2023 Garner Dwight Poniewozik James Sehgal Parul Szalai Jennifer 15 May 2020 Bringing Normal People to Sexy Soundtracked Life The New York Times Archived from the original on 4 January 2021 Retrieved 2 September 2020 Kanter Jake 6 June 2021 BAFTA TV Awards Winners I May Destroy You Triumphs Paul Mescal Wins Best Actor The Crown Snubbed Deadline Hollywood Archived from the original on 6 June 2021 Retrieved 7 June 2021 Framke Caroline 22 April 2020 Normal People Review Hulu s Sally Rooney Adaptation is Bruising Variety Archived from the original on 20 January 2021 Retrieved 14 June 2021 Paskin Willa 24 April 2020 Normal People Hulu s swoony adaptation of Sally Rooney s novel reviewed Slate Archived from the original on 6 January 2021 Retrieved 14 June 2021 Villarreal Yvonne 28 July 2020 Emmys 2020 Paul Mescal of Normal People on his nomination Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on 29 July 2020 Retrieved 28 August 2020 Schneider Michael 18 January 2021 Ozark The Crown and Netflix Lead 26th Annual Critics Choice Awards TV Nominations Variety Archived from the original on 18 January 2021 Retrieved 18 January 2021 a b Granard film to feature in Galway Film Fleadh The Anglo Celt 8 July 2020 Archived from the original on 14 January 2021 Retrieved 4 November 2020 a b Carr Flora 4 August 2020 The Deceived s creators There was a buzz about Paul Mescal but no one predicted this Radio Times Archived from the original on 6 August 2020 Retrieved 12 August 2020 a b Greene Andy 6 August 2020 Watch the New Rolling Stones Video Scarlet Starring Paul Mescal Rolling Stone Archived from the original on 20 January 2021 Retrieved 8 August 2020 Power Ed 4 August 2020 The Deceived review Paul Mescal conjures his sleepy eyed charm in this silly and likeable caper The Independent Archived from the original on 5 July 2021 Retrieved 5 July 2021 a b Galuppo Mia 28 August 2020 Normal People Breakout Paul Mescal Joins Maggie Gyllenhaal Directorial Debut The Lost Daughter Exclusive The Hollywood Reporter Archived from the original on 28 August 2020 Retrieved 28 August 2020 Goldsmith Jill 17 December 2021 The Lost Daughter The Novice The Tender Bar Open Into Spider Man Maelstrom Covid Jitters Specialty Preview Deadline Hollywood Archived from the original on 17 December 2021 Retrieved 31 December 2021 Paterson Colin 16 December 2021 The Lost Daughter Olivia Colman on her searingly honest film on motherhood BBC News Archived from the original on 16 December 2021 Retrieved 31 December 2021 a b c Seth Radhika 23 May 2022 Paul Mescal Is Taking Cannes By Storm British Vogue Archived from the original on 24 May 2022 Retrieved 25 May 2022 Lattanzio Ryan 24 May 2022 A24 Buys Paul Mescal Cannes Drama Aftersun for U S Canada Exclusive IndieWire Archived from the original on 24 May 2022 Retrieved 25 May 2022 Erbland Kate 19 May 2022 God s Creatures Review Emily Watson and Paul Mescal Crackle in Chilly Irish Family Drama IndieWire Archived from the original on 19 May 2022 Retrieved 1 February 2023 Travers Peter 4 November 2022 Aftersun review This is the best film of the year by a first time writer director ABC News Archived from the original on 4 November 2022 Retrieved 3 February 2023 Lang Brent Moreau Jordan 24 January 2023 Oscar Nominations 2023 The Full List Variety Archived from the original on 1 February 2023 Retrieved 24 January 2023 Ravindran Manori 19 January 2023 BAFTA Awards Nominations Unveiled All Quiet on the Western Front Leads Race Banshees amp Everything Everywhere Come Up Strong Variety Archived from the original on 23 January 2023 Retrieved 19 January 2023 a b Lambert Harper 1 February 2023 Carmen Starring Paul Mescal and Melissa Barrera Gets Theatrical Release From Sony Pictures Classics TheWrap Archived from the original on 3 February 2023 Retrieved 3 February 2023 Ehrlich David 22 September 2022 Carmen Review Lovers on the Run in Benjamin Millepied s Unclassifiable Dance Odyssey IndieWire Archived from the original on 19 May 2023 Retrieved 22 August 2023 a b A Streetcar Named Desire at 75 Blanche Stanley and the Tennessee Williams play that still haunts us The Independent 19 December 2022 Archived from the original on 20 December 2022 Retrieved 26 December 2022 a b Wiegand Chris 25 January 2023 A Streetcar Named Desire with Paul Mescal transfers to West End The Guardian Archived from the original on 29 January 2023 Retrieved 26 January 2023 Maxwell Dominic 13 January 2023 A Streetcar Named Desire review Magnetic Paul Mescal is no normal leading man The Times Archived from the original on 13 January 2023 Retrieved 14 January 2023 Gumuchian Marie louise 2 April 2023 Paul Mescal Jodie Comer win prizes at London theatre s Olivier awards Reuters Archived from the original on 2 April 2023 Retrieved 2 April 2023 Canfield David 23 August 2023 Inside All of Us Strangers Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal s Metaphysical Love Story Vanity Fair Archived from the original on 29 August 2023 Retrieved 31 August 2023 Davis Clayton 30 August 2023 Telluride Lineup Includes World Premieres of Saltburn The Bikeriders and Rustin With Tributes for Yorgos Lanthimos and Wim Wenders Variety Archived from the original on 31 August 2023 Retrieved 31 August 2023 a b Rooney David 31 August 2023 All of Us Strangers Release Date Set for December The Hollywood Reporter Archived from the original on 1 September 2023 Retrieved 31 August 2023 a b D Alessandro Anthony 15 August 2023 Foe Release Date Saoirse Ronan Paul Mescal Sci Fi Film Due In Fall Via Amazon Deadline Hollywood Archived from the original on 15 August 2023 Retrieved 16 August 2023 London Rob 20 November 2023 Foe Finds Its Streaming Home Collider Archived from the original on 23 November 2023 Retrieved 23 November 2023 Guarnieri Isabella 3 November 2023 Why did Foe flop Dazed Retrieved 23 November 2023 a b Sneider Jeff 9 January 2023 Exclusive Paul Mescal Replaces Blake Jenner in Richard Linklater s 20 Year Movie Merrily We Roll Along AboveTheLine Archived from the original on 9 January 2023 Retrieved 9 January 2023 a b Kroll Justin 6 January 2023 Paul Mescal To Star In Ridley Scott s Gladiator Sequel For Paramount Deadline Hollywood Archived from the original on 6 January 2023 Retrieved 6 January 2023 Parkel Inga 20 February 2023 Paul Mescal wows fans with fluent Irish interview on Baftas red carpet The Independent Archived from the original on 23 February 2023 Retrieved 21 February 2023 Fahy Claire 24 February 2023 Bursting Proud Ireland Cheers Paul Mescal for Embracing Irish Language The New York Times Archived from the original on 1 May 2023 Retrieved 16 August 2023 Kaufman Amy 7 July 2020 Normal People stars can t wait until they can go out for a beer and dance together Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on 7 July 2020 Retrieved 31 August 2020 Hodgkin Beatrice 16 December 2022 The quiet magnetism of Paul Mescal Financial Times Archived from the original on 25 February 2023 Retrieved 24 January 2023 a b De Loera Carlos 17 August 2023 Paul Mescal is angry that entitled fans want personal info Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on 18 August 2023 Retrieved 22 August 2023 a b Savage Mark 1 December 2020 Paul Mescal stars in Phoebe Bridgers music video for Savior Complex BBC News Archived from the original on 1 December 2020 Retrieved 1 December 2020 Corcoran Mark 31 July 2020 Normal People star Paul Mescal and sister Nell show off amazing talent in incredible duet Irish Mirror Archived from the original on 28 July 2021 Retrieved 3 October 2020 Hodgkinson Will 31 July 2020 Dermot Kennedy and Paul Mescal review an atmospheric and imaginative livestream show The Times Archived from the original on 31 July 2020 Retrieved 28 August 2020 Evans Greg 7 October 2020 Morgan Freeman Laurie Metcalf Ellen Burstyn Laura Linney Matthew Broderick Among All Star Lineup For Virtual Broadway Play Series Deadline Hollywood Archived from the original on 12 October 2020 Retrieved 17 October 2020 Pedersen Erik 28 June 2023 Movie Academy Invites Nearly 400 New Members Including Taylor Swift Ke Huy Quan The Daniels amp Austin Butler Deadline Hollywood Archived from the original on 13 September 2023 Retrieved 28 June 2023 Kreps Daniel 21 April 2023 See Paul Mescal Make Music Debut With Slip Away From Carmen Rolling Stone Archived from the original on 24 April 2023 Retrieved 24 April 2023 Carmen Original Motion Picture Soundtrack iTunes 21 April 2023 Archived from the original on 25 April 2023 Retrieved 25 April 2023 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Paul Mescal Paul Mescal at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Paul Mescal amp oldid 1187417563, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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