Paul Mescal has landed the role of Paul McCartney in the upcoming The Beatles-A Four-Film Cinematic Event, performing his own singing after several meetings with the legendary musician who welcomed him with “great kindness and warmth.”
The 29-year-old Irish actor, currently starring as William Shakespeare in Hamnet, told News Of Los Angeles he looks forward to a break from constant promotion rather than a full acting hiatus, clarifying comments that worried fans of his breakout 2020 Hulu series Normal People.
A Break From Promotion, Not 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 explains after his casual remark about people getting “a break from me” sparked concern among his dedicated fan base.
The actor emphasizes: “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.”
Rising Fame Meets Intentional Privacy
Despite mounting accolades including his first Golden Globe nomination for Hamnet, Mescal deliberately chooses independent films that challenge him while maintaining strict boundaries around his personal life. The film tells the fictionalized story of Shakespeare and wife Agnes Hathaway, played by Jessie Buckley, centering on their young son Hamnet’s untimely death.
“It’s not about his genius; it’s about his artistic compulsion. That’s fascinating to me,” Mescal says of portraying the iconic playwright.
Rejecting ‘Movie Star’ Status
Mescal actively distances himself from traditional Hollywood stardom: “I don’t believe in these terms like ‘movie stars.’ To be clear, I don’t even associate it to be a dirty word. I think I just want to be known as an actor, and Hollywood isn’t the center of the universe for actors.”
Upcoming Projects Span Decades
Beyond the Beatles project, Mescal has committed to director Richard Linklater’s Merrily We Roll Along, filming over 20 years with a planned 2040 premiere. He describes playing creative legends like Shakespeare and McCartney as “a wild privilege to get to play these creative forces and to get a peek behind the curtain.”
Managing Fame’s Spotlight
On his rare days off, Mescal craves simplicity: “laying down for as long as possible,” though he admits struggling with downtime. “It’s something I crave at the moment, but I’m also not great at that. I struggle with not being busy.”
The actor has learned that “time, probably, and consistency” help navigate fame’s challenges. “The longer you’re in it, you become less shiny, which is a really good thing,” he reflects. “People become less interested in what you’re saying and hopefully more interested in the work you’re making.”
Hamnet is now playing in theaters.
