Paul on a roll – 5 times actor Paul Mescal has proven his aptitude

His name seems to be everywhere these days. Irish actor Paul Mescal has experienced a particularly successful period. An end, however, is not likely to happen any time soon. So, let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at the top 5 moments on the path of Mescal’s career over the last few years.

1. Big role, big award

When talking about the Irish actor, it is inevitable not to mention his most-forming role and his debut. In 2019 Mescal booked his first major role as the character Connell Waldron in a BBC Three exclusive production of Normal People. Based on the eponymous bestseller by Irish author Sally Rooney, Paul slips into the character, receiving widespread praise for his complex and dynamic performance that has earned him several nominations. The greatest milestone then came when he won a Bafta for leading actor for his role as Connell Waldron.

The limited series explores the challenging phases in the relationship of Connell and Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and retracting high ratings for its raw visualisation of intimacy and depression. The show tackles, inter alia, topics like societal pressures, social class, the exploration of adulthood, and daily life struggles. One reason the show experienced huge success was the chemistry between both co-stars. A chemistry that continues even when the cameras were cut. Paul and Daisy were often seen spending time together, going to festivals, and dressing up in complementary Halloween costumes. Paul even brought Edgar-Jones as a date to the 2022 Met Gala alongside then-girlfriend Phoebe Bridgers.

2. His appearances in music videos

This man proves that acting can indeed be versatile by giving us not one but two appearances in music videos over the last few years.

In 2020 he was cast as the lead in a new Rolling Stones video for their song Scarlet. This was an ‘unearthed’ song that was then “filmed with a socially distanced shoot” at Claridge’s hotel in London”, according to the Rolling Stone article. Also in 2020, he appeared as the lead in Phoebe Bridger’s music video for her song Saviour Complex, directed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Killing Eve, Fleabag). With this work, first speculations surfaced about a possible relationship between Phoebe and Paul that was not soon after confirmed.

3. By the way, he can sing too

Is there anything he cannot do? We do not think so. In 2020 Irish singer Dermot Kennedy announced an exclusive one-off live performance at the Natural History Museum in London and even hinted at special appearances. Little did we know that Paul Mescal himself would sneak on stage during the performance of Dermot’s hit Giants and give us a duet that we did not know we needed. If you don’t believe us, click here to see a little snippet of the performance Dermot posted on his TikTok.

4. His first leading role in the movie Aftersun

From limited series onto the big screen. 2022 must have been the year Paul Mescal received the best news an actor can dream of: an Oscar nomination in the category of best actor for his role as Calum in Aftersun. In Charlotte Well’s debut tale of love and loss, Mescal portrays a young father that is struggling. Since its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May, the hype around the movie did not seem to abate. All the more deserving comes the news of the nomination for Paul. He, himself, however, did not expect this.

The 2023 Oscars are set out for the 12^th of March. The Irish actor is nominated in the category alongside actors like Brendan Fraser, Austin Butler, Bill Nighy, and fellow Irishman Colin Farrell. All there is left to say is fingers crossed.

5. That’s next for Paul

There is no arguing, Paul Mescal is definitely booked and busy. And to guarantee that we will see a lot of him in the future, here is a list of upcoming projects to look forward to.

A truly remarkable career so far for Paul Mescal. There is no doubt that his future is going to be a bright one. We will surely be waiting patiently to break down his next moments and applaud all his major achievements.