Paul Mescal, whose acting career has been marked by a commitment to restraint rather than theatricality, brings this unique style to his latest role in Chloé Zhao’s film Hamnet. The 29-year-old Irish actor has established a presence defined by measured performances, grounding his characters in authenticity. In Hamnet, Mescal steps into the shoes of William Shakespeare, depicting a father’s deep grief following the tragic loss of his son, adding a compelling layer to his rapidly ascending career.
Mescal discusses his perspective on grand gestures in acting, suggesting that the heart of compelling performance is often found in subtlety rather than in overt displays of emotion.
“I can count on one hand those kinds of big cathartic moments that someone has in their life,”
Paul Mescal, Actor. During a candid conversation via Zoom, just after arriving in Los Angeles ahead of the Golden Globes nomination for Best Supporting Actor, he reflects on what resonates with him in both life and art.
“What makes my back go up when I watch performances in general, there’s that kind of grandstanding performances that I’m envious of actors being able to do, but I also just don’t recognize people when I see that.”
Paul Mescal, Actor.
Finding Truth in Shared Grief and Performance Balance
The energy and intensity Mescal brings to Hamnet stem from his interest in the ways people process hardship differently, particularly within couples confronting loss. His collaboration with Jessie Buckley demanded sensitivity to maintain the film’s emotional resonance and truth. Mescal notes that his primary focus throughout the project hinged on matching Buckley’s portrayal and upholding the devastating realism of a father’s anguish.
His respect for the complex emotional journey at the heart of Hamnet shines through, as he describes the challenge of expressing both shared and individual grief.
“What I’m probably most proud of in this film is the balance that exists between Jessie and me, in moments of how we express something that is happening to us as a couple and as two individuals very differently,”
Paul Mescal, Actor. He elaborates on the universal relevance of these moments:
“Couples will understand — you can go through anything traumatic in a partnership or as a family, and oftentimes you’re experiencing the same thing, but through very, very, very different lenses.”
Paul Mescal, Actor.
The film’s deliberate focus on grief, as experienced by both William Shakespeare and Agnes (played by Jessie Buckley), demanded that Mescal modulate his performance to complement hers. The narrative’s tension is not only shaped by loss itself, but also by the way it fractures and reshapes relationships.
An Expanding Career: Beatles Films and Long-Term Collaborations
The role of Shakespeare in Hamnet coincides with a pivotal phase in Paul Mescal’s acting career. Having found fame through Normal People six years prior, he is now engaged in several ambitious projects that reflect his rising stature. Among these is a series of four films about the Beatles, directed by Sam Mendes, in which Mescal will take on the iconic role of Paul McCartney. Additionally, he is involved in Richard Linklater’s Merrily We Roll Along, a film being produced over two decades, now several years into its journey.
For Mescal, these roles present exciting creative opportunities, yet he remains grounded, preferring a lifestyle that stays removed from the typical Hollywood sphere. This detachment from the industry’s epicenter allows him to explore a broader range of work, including international productions, and maintain a measure of personal stability.
Discussing his upcoming portrayal of Shakespeare, Mescal found it liberating to approach a historical figure without being limited by rigid expectations of appearance.
“I think it is very freeing when you don’t know necessarily what someone looks like, because it also just frees up your imagination as an actor, that you don’t feel tied to likeness,”
Paul Mescal, Actor. Instead, his focus shifted to personal points of connection:
“I’m an artist, and he’s an artist, and he’s not somebody who didn’t grow up in London. I felt this pull that Shakespeare has to get to London to get to this cultural center to express something, one that I felt when I wanted to become an actor.”
Paul Mescal, Actor.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Growth
Reflecting on his preparation for Hamnet, Mescal draws parallels to his earlier experience with Aftersun. Both roles required him to inhabit the emotional landscape of fatherhood and loss, domains unfamiliar to him in his personal life. However, Mescal found confidence in exploring love as the fundamental element behind parental relationships and used this understanding to fuel his performance.
He addresses the added weight of depicting parents who have endured the unimaginable—losing a child. Mescal describes his methodical approach, which included research on how couples respond to such trauma, emphasizing that preserving relationships under these circumstances is often an anomaly.
As an actor known for his subtlety, Mescal believes that the power in performance frequently lies in restraint rather than melodrama. Drawing from his own tendencies, he reflects on the limited number of moments in life that truly demand a dramatic outpouring, reinforcing his alignment with Chloé Zhao’s artistic vision for the film.
Dynamic Chemistry with Jessie Buckley
Mescal credits much of the film’s emotional depth to the creative synergy established with co-star Jessie Buckley under Chloé Zhao’s directorial approach. The two developed a powerful bond early in filming, especially evident during intense scenes depicting both the blossoming and dissolution of their characters’ relationship.
He recounts specific instances that left a lasting impression, such as a scene where Will returns from London to Agnes, finding it challenging to navigate the emotional distance demanded by the narrative. Mescal shares that the difficulty in performing such scenes was heightened by the intentional choice to act as individuals rather than teammates, enhancing the impact of the story’s emotional arc.
Production was organized in a way that allowed Mescal and Buckley to develop their onscreen relationship organically. Filming many scenes semi-chronologically meant that the shifting dynamic between the characters unfolded both on and off camera, deepening the authenticity of the performances.
Another particularly intense experience for Mescal occurred while filming the pivotal death scene, during which he was separated from the cast for several days to allow for an authentic response upon re-entering the scene. The use of his initial reaction as the take in the film underscores Zhao’s commitment to capturing raw, unscripted emotion from her actors.
Recognition, Independence, and the Broader Film Industry
Paul Mescal’s growing acclaim is marked by prestigious nominations, including the Golden Globes, placing him alongside cinematic icons such as Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn. Despite these honors, Mescal maintains a sense of humility and unfamiliarity with the world of industry accolades, having not grown up with Hollywood as a personal frame of reference.
He openly expresses gratitude for opportunities outside the United States, remarking on the changing landscape of cinema that no longer centers exclusively on Hollywood. This freedom enables Mescal to engage in international projects, further distinguishing his acting career.
Looking to the future, Mescal is focused on major commitments, including his multi-year journey as Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes’ Beatles films and the monumental two-decade undertaking with Richard Linklater. He sums up his anticipation for these collaborations, highlighting directors and writers as significant inspirations and sources of fulfillment throughout his career.
Forging Close Bonds and Collaborative Pride
Mescal emphasizes the profound impact that creative partnerships have had on him, singling out his relationships with Chloé Zhao and Jessie Buckley as particularly formative. The unique trust and sense of protection that developed throughout production has become an enduring aspect of his personal and professional life. He expresses immense pride in what the team accomplished together in Hamnet, driven as much by the process as the result.
In summary, Paul Mescal’s acting career is characterized by a thoughtful approach to performance, a willingness to tackle challenging subject matter, and a dedication to collaborative storytelling. As he moves forward with major international projects and prestigious film collaborations, Mescal exemplifies a new generation of actors redefining success and artistry within—and beyond—the traditional confines of Hollywood.
