> At a Glance
> – Paul Mescal will stop promoting films for two years after Hamnet
> – The 29-year-old actor is currently filming Sam Mendes’ 2028 Beatles biopics as Paul McCartney
> – Mescal says the break will “give people a welcome break from seeing my face”
> – Why it matters: Fans will see less of the Oscar-nominated star while he focuses on acting rather than publicity
Irish actor Paul Mescal is stepping back from the spotlight-at least from press tours-after his awards-season run for Hamnet wraps. The 29-year-old tells News Of Los Angeles he’s “excited” to spend the next two years solely on set, not red carpets.
The Break Begins
Mescal clarifies earlier remarks that hinted at retirement, explaining he meant a pause on promotion, not performance. “I would really lose my mind if I took two years off my job,” he says. Instead, he’ll finish shooting the four interconnected Beatles features and Merrily We Roll Along without the usual media circuit.
- No press tours from 2026 through 2028
- Continued filming on Mendes’ U.K. back-to-back productions
- Hamnet still in theaters; awards nominations pending
Upcoming Projects
Director Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel Hamnet landed Mescal Critics Choice and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor. He and co-star Jessie Buckley accepted the Vanguard Award at Palm Springs on January 3.
Meanwhile, Mendes’ untitled Beatles saga-written by Jez Butterworth, Peter Straughan, and Jack Thorne-casts:
| Beatle | Actor |
|---|---|
| Paul McCartney | Paul Mescal |
| John Lennon | Harris Dickinson |
| George Harrison | Joseph Quinn |
| Ringo Starr | Barry Keoghan |
All four films are scheduled for 2028 release.
Why the Hiatus?
Mescal tells News Of Los Angeles constant promotion can overwhelm both actor and audience. “Not being on a promotional tour for the next two years,” he jokes, “will give people a welcome break from seeing my face.”
**Key Takeaways
- Mescal isn’t retiring-just avoiding press junkets until the Beatles films launch
- He’ll keep acting in Richard Linklater’s 20-year Merrily We Roll Along shoot
- Awards voters can still vote for his Shakespeare turn in Hamnet
The strategy lets the Oscar nominee hone his craft away from cameras that aren’t rolling on set.
