Paul Mescal is ready for a break from the spotlight.
The 29-year-old Irish actor has starred in a number of major releases over the past few years, including After the sun, Gladiator II, The history of sound and the upcoming Oscar Hamnet. After a strong series of roles, Mescal admitted in an interview with the guardian posted on Friday, January 2 that it might be time for fans to see less of him for a while.
“I’ve been on for five or six years now and I feel very lucky,” said the actor, who first broke out in the 2020 BBC adaptation. Normal People. “But I’m also learning that I don’t think I can keep doing that much.”
Mescal was then asked if he planned to “ration out,” to which he replied, “I think so. I’m going to have to start doing that. For sure,” before adding, “Rationing doesn’t necessarily mean less.”
Beatlemania is back! Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan, Harris Dickinson and Joseph Quinn are officially confirmed to play members of the iconic band The Beatles in a quartet of films directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes. Sony Pictures announced the news on Monday, March 31 at CinemaCon in Las Vegas and shared the first photo of the (…)
“It means learning what they like in the movies The history of sound get more out of the well,” the actor explained of the emotional toll his roles often take on him. “You can’t keep going back and expect to consistently deliver something you’re proud of.”
Mescal continued, “How that rationing is, I don’t know. I miss being on stage, so I might have a time where I’m just doing (theatre) for a couple of years. I also have different priorities in my personal life that I want to attend to.”
Mescal is currently promoting Hamnetin which he plays William Shakespeare opposite Jessie Buckley as the writer’s wife, Agnes Hathaway. based on Maggie O’FarrellThe best-selling book of the same name, the film follows a fictionalized version of Shakespeare and Hathaway after the death of their son. Hamnetand the creation of Shakespeare’s famous work, Hamlet.
Both Mescal and Buckley are nominated for Oscars this awards season, after which they hope to step out of the spotlight until their next big project: Sam Mendes‘ The Beatles: A Cinematic Event of Four Films in 2028.
“Once I’m done promoting it, I hope nobody sees me until 2028 when I’m doing The Beatles. People will have a break from me and I’ll have a break from them,” he shared.
Mescal is ready to play Paul McCartney to Mendes’ quartet of biopics, each of which will focus on a different member of the iconic band. Joseph Quinn is ready to play George Harrison, Barry Keoghan will portray Ringo Starr i Harris Dickinson has been issued as John Lennon.
The films will reunite Mescal with his enemy to cost Saoirse Ronanwho will play McCartney’s late wife Linda.
“She’s just one of my best friends and an amazing actress, so I can’t wait to get into these scenes with her, yeah, in the future.” Mescal said exclusively Us Weekly in November 2025.
Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams know all too well what a summer of love entails. Between their busy schedules — he worked on the blockbuster Gladiator II while Abrams opened for Taylor Swift on the Eras tour — the pair seemed to find time to forge a special connection. Both Mescal and (…)
In September, Mescal spoke about meeting with McCartney to prepare for the role.
“To spend time, it’s a crazy phrase to say I’ve spent time with this man, let alone played with him,” he said. IndieWirealso confirming that he will be singing in the film.