5 anecdotes about Paul Mescal, the star of the new “Gladiator”

On display in Gladiator II which is about to be released on November 13, we return to actor Paul Mescal, whose high-quality filmography makes him one of the best actors of his generation.

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This is one of the event films of this end of year which hits the big screen on Wednesday November 13: Gladiator IIthe sequel to Ridley Scott’s classic released 24 years ago. The British Paul Mescal plays the main role of Lucius, son of Maximus played by Russell Crowe in the first part. But who is this rising Hollywood star?validated as much by movie buffs as by aficionados of sex symbols?

_{There is also him who plays in Gladiator II…}

It all began for him in 1996, in the suburbs of Dublin in Ireland. He is the son of Dearblha, a policewoman, and Paul, a schoolteacher, and leads his business like any child from the middle class.

The world discovered him 24 years later on television, when he was revealed in 2020 as a student in the miniseries Normal Peopleadapted from the phenomenon book by Sally Rooney. He then bursts onto the screen in the drama After sunreleased in theaters in 2023. Two roles acclaimed by critics and the public in which he displays a rare sensitivity with incredible accuracy.

His score as a young father masking depression in the sublime After sun will allow him to land a nomination for the Oscar for best actor, alongside Brendan Fraser, Austin Butler, Colin Farrell and Bill Nighy.

A nomination which opens the doors to Hollywood and which now allows the actor to juggle arthouse films and blockbusters. And since you’re going to see him a lot in the next few years, here are five things to know about him.

He was a young football hopeful

Like a good Irishman, young Paul is first a footballer before being an actor. Brilliant among the under-21s, he played as a defender for a long time before a jaw injury forced him to abandon the sport. His trainer has excellent memories of him and is full of praise: “Very mature for someone so young. Physically, he was very strong. He was an exceptional scorer.

He studied academically

Paul Mescal learned theater at Trinity College University in Dublin. It is one of the oldest universities in the United Kingdom, with admission based exclusively on academic merit. He graduated with a degree in literature and drama.

He’s a musician

He can sing and play the piano. What he actually did during his very first audition, to The Phantom of the Opera; he sang the song I Can See Clearly Now of Jimmy Cliff in front of his jury. You can also hear it in the film Carmen (2023)a cinematic and modern reinterpretation of the famous opera, directed by choreographer Benjamin Millepied. Her sister, Nell Mescal, is also a singer.

He dated a famous singer

To stay on the theme of music, Paul Mescal was in a relationship for two years with American singer Phoebe Bridgers. They met in 2020, shortly after Paul Mescal exploded with the success of the series Normal People. He even starred in one of his music videos, Savior Complexshot in black and white.

He will play iconic roles

Paul Mescal will play William Shakespeare in Chloé Zhao’s next film (Nomadland). The film will be an adaptation of the novel Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, published in 2020. He is as expected to play the role of Paul McCartney in the four biographical films on the career of the Beatles as Sam Mendes (American Beauty) will be released for release in 2027.

_{Barry Keoghan, the other Irishman who breaks through:}