The Rise of Paul Mescal

GROUNDED, GIFTED AND GLOBALLY ADORED, THE QUIETLY AUTHENTIC IRISH ACTOR IS REDEFINING LEADING-MAN ENERGY

- JULIE JORDAN

In a recent interview Paul Mescal said he was looking forward to the next two years. “People will get a break from me,” he said, “and I’ll get a break from them.” The casual comment from the Irish actor, 29—affectionately known as the Internet’s boyfriend—immediately sparked concern among his rabid fan base (who first fell in love with him in 2020 when he appeared in the hit Hulu series Normal People) that he was taking a hiatus from acting. “Oh, what I meant by that is that I’m excited for the period of time that will fundamentally exist where I won’t be promoting anything,” Mescal clarifies to People. “I would really lose my mind if I took two years off out of my job. But what I’m excited about is the concept of not being on a promotional tour for the next two years. And I think it’ll give people a welcome break from seeing my face.”

Welcome? That’s highly unlikely. With his quiet intensity Mescal has quickly become one of the most compelling actors of his generation. Yet he has met fame with caution, mostly choosing roles in independent films that challenge him and allow his performances to define him as he remains fiercely protective of his private life. Much to his chagrin, the spotlight is only growing stronger with his latest starring role as William Shakespeare in