18 February 2024 , 18:00
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A year after claiming a BAFTA for his standout performance in Normal People, Paul Mescal is up for another.
The Irish heartthrob has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor in his latest film All of Us Strangers, where he stars as Andrew Scott's love interest. The 28-year-old from Maynooth, County Kildare in Ireland, shot to fame in the BBC adaptation of Sally Rooney's novel and is set to reach superstardom later this year when he plays the lead role in the Gladiator sequel.
As his career reaches new heights, The Mirror takes a look at Paul's life away from the cameras - from his upbringing, romances and his bid to create a better work-life balance in 2024.
Paul Mescal wowed viewers in Normal People (Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty I)
He is now BAFTA nominated in his latest film, All of Us Strangers (Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock)Originally from a university town west of Dublin, Paul speaks both English and Irish, and talks fondly of his upbringing on the Emerald Isle. His mother is a police officer and his father a teacher, while he has a younger brother, Donnacha, who now lives in New York and a sister nearby in London.
His sister Nell is a singer-songwriter, and as the talented actor can also play piano, they have performed cover songs together. When he left school at 16, he secured a place at the prestigious Lir Academy at Trinity College Dublin.
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But before he became a household name, the actor became recognisable in Ireland for starring in a sausage advert for the brand Denny, where he is filmed chowing down on sausage. In a Louis Theroux chat, he admitted that the ad is still referenced when he's spotted out and about in his hometown, "to bring him down" from his Hollywood success.
Despite moving to London to pursue his acting career once Normal People was released, in 2022 he revealed in an interview with the FT that he purchased a property back in Ireland, intending to spend time there when he's not working.
"In the past two or three years, I felt a desire to think maybe more long-term about where I would spend time off between jobs," he said. "It's a beautiful part of the world. It's peaceful. And the people are kind."
Paul, who starred as loveable Connell, moved to London from Ireland to pursue more acting jobs (BBC/Element Pictures/Hulu)Paul also didn't shy away from the fact he sees a therapist when 'life gets in the way'. "It's to keep sane," he said, before confessing that he can struggle to prioritise needs in his home life whilst enjoying himself at work, which he can feel guilty about.
Since arriving on screen as sensitive Connell, with his hypnotising silver chain, Paul instantly amassed admirers, with dedicated fan pages set up in his name. But he has found coming to terms with his newfound heartthrob status as "uncomfortable", arguing in the past that he is nothing like his reserved hit character.
Speaking about the attention from women on the Grand Mam podcast, Paul said: "I'm not trying to be full of faux humility but it's a weird thing when people are very quickly attracted to a character you play. And I think that's the thing I'm focusing on. I'm not Connell, I'm totally different to him."
He explained: "I think maybe what's sexy about Connell is he's kind of classic back-footed, aloof, smart. I'm definitely not back-footed or aloof." Thanks to their undeniable chemistry, rumours swirled of a romance between himself and co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones, but the actress was already happily coupled up during the filming of their steamy sex scenes.
Paul has tried to keep his romantic life private, but he has been linked with American indie-rock musician Phoebe Bridgers, but it sadly wasn't meant to be. The pair met on social media after exchanging flirty messages.
The singer admitted to NME in June 2020 that she had a "pitter-patter" in her heart when she saw the "cute boy" from Normal People had followed her on Instagram. By the November, he indirectly suggested he was involved in a new relationship, when he told GQ that his 'girlfriend' was a 'lifesaver' during lockdown.
The couple dated for two years (Instagram)"To have someone to lean on through such a mad, mad time has been invaluable. Really, I don't know where I'd be without her," he said. They appeared to confirm their romance the following month, when Paul starred in her Saviour Complex music video.
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But in December 2022, their love story was no more and it was reported she ended their relationship after growing close to American comic Bo Burnham. Last October, The Mirror learned that Paul had hit the dating apps following his split from the singer.
One source said: "Paul, like many other actors, has a mad schedule which can make getting to know people hard. The great thing about apps is that you can chat to people wherever you are." Meanwhile, in more recent weeks, Mescal appeared to break his silence over viral memes that circulated the internet, which alleged that he takes people on walking dates - but then bizarrely runs off.
Footage of him running through London in shorts has done the rounds, with fans on TikTok claiming he's pulled the move on a number of women. Although there is no evidence to support the claim. When asked about what he considers to be a romantic date whilst appearing on Amelia Dimoldenberg's Chicken Shop Date, his response appeared to allude to the viral rumours.
Describing his ideal situation, he said: "I love walking. A good long walk is romantic to me." Amelia replied saying: "Simple pleasures," to which Paul then agreed: "I’m a simple man."
While this year sees the release of two major films in which he has lead roles, the favourite actor is looking to carve out more time away from his job so he can connect with his family and friends, and potentially a special someone. In a chat with Vogue this month ahead of the BAFTA ceremony, he said: "I want to try and have a bit more stability and be a bit more, like, generally content and happy. Which sounds like a simple thing, but can be tricky."
He came to the realisation during the SAG-AFTRA strike, where he had a chance to reevaluate what was important in his life. "I've been talking about aiming to strike a better work-life balance. And it's not about taking holidays or anything like that," he continued. "It's just about… parts of the time when I was on strike were probably when I was at my happiest and that was because of the ability to be around friends and family. So, more of that."