Paul Mescal has spoken candidly about his experience filming powerful scenes for “Hamnet,” a new movie that depicts the personal life of William Shakespeare. At a recent screening in New York, Mescal also shared insights into his future role as Paul McCartney in a major Beatles biopic, generating anticipation for both projects and highlighting his connection to key figures like Saoirse Ronan and the wider cast.
Paul Mescal Reflects on Filming ‘Hamnet’
During an exclusive event at The Whitby Hotel in New York City, Paul Mescal described the process of working on “Hamnet” as not as emotionally draining behind the scenes as one might expect, despite the movie’s serious themes.
“Do you know what? This film probably looks heavier on the surface than it was [to shoot],”
Mescal explained. He shared more about his personal approach, stating,
“Obviously, there’s heavy scenes that we got to shoot, but there was nothing [I did to unwind]. I don’t have a ritual of going home in the evening and — I probably should, but I don’t. There’s nothing that jumps to my mind.”
– Paul Mescal, Actor
“Hamnet” revolves around the relationship between William Shakespeare, played by Mescal, and his wife Agnes, portrayed by Jessie Buckley. The story navigates their romance, marriage, and the aftermath of a profound family tragedy: the death of their young son, Hamnet, whose passing is linked to the inspiration behind Shakespeare’s iconic play “Hamlet.”
The Creative Approach Behind ‘Hamnet’
Chloé Zhao directed this adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s celebrated 2020 novel, focusing on historical events through a fictional lens. Addressing crucial differences between the book and film, Zhao noted,
“The biggest thing was making it linear.”
She elaborated,
“The book is not linear, right? And also the other thing was to bring force to Shakespeare’s characters even more. The third big thing was the play was a lot shorter in book, it was 25 pages longer in the script.”
– Chloé Zhao, Director
Both Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley have received acclaim for their performances. With talk of awards season gaining momentum, Mescal is being considered in the best supporting actor category, and Buckley is currently a leading contender for best actress honors. Jessie Buckley recounted her feelings leaving the role of Agnes:
“Emotional to leave that space so full and felt so grateful for Chloe asking me to be part of this story, and to tell this woman’s story.”
– Jessie Buckley, Actress
Award Season Recognition and Upcoming Projects
The growing attention around “Hamnet” aligns with strong reviews for both leading actors, positioning them as standouts in the running for major honors. Jessie Buckley’s next role will be in “The Bride!,” a film directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal expected to release in 2026. Meanwhile, Paul Mescal prepares for his high-profile portrayal of Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes’ ambitious project,
“The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event,”
scheduled to debut in April 2028.
This Beatles biopic marks a significant reunion for Mescal and Saoirse Ronan, who previously starred together in “Foe.” Ronan is set to play Linda McCartney. Praising his co-star, Mescal remarked,
“She’s just one of my best friends and an unbelievable actress,”
and expressed enthusiasm for their collaboration,
“so I can’t wait to get into those scenes with her, yeah, down the line.”
– Paul Mescal, Actor
A Star-Studded Cast for ‘The Beatles’ Biopic Series
The four-part Beatles series also features Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Harris Dickinson as John Lennon. These casting choices have drawn interest and support, further adding to the excitement surrounding the project.
Before filming began, Paul Mescal had the opportunity to meet Paul McCartney in person, an experience he described as surreal.
“To spend any time — it’s a crazy sentence to say that I’ve spent time with that man, let alone play him,”
Mescal revealed, adding that he will be performing vocals in the films. – Paul Mescal, Actor
Confirming his involvement in the musical aspects of the project, Mescal stated, “Yeah, yeah, absolutely yeah.” – Paul Mescal, Actor
Release Dates and Anticipation
“Hamnet” arrives in theaters on Wednesday, November 26, while the much-anticipated Beatles film series is slated for release in April 2028. As the premieres draw closer, audiences are looking forward to witnessing Paul Mescal’s performances in both dramatic and musical roles, further cementing his place as a distinguished talent in contemporary cinema.
