In just six short years, Paul Mescal has achieved what most actors spend decades chasing: a legacy defined by both critical reverence and massive pop-culture influence.
aul Mescal attends “A Street Car Named Desire” opening night at BAM Harvey Theater on March 11, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Born on February 2, 1996, in Maynooth, Ireland, Mescal first captured the world’s heart as a quiet Gaelic football player in Normal People. Today, as he celebrates his 30th birthday, he is no longer just the “Internet’s Boyfriend”—he is one of the most respected dramatic actors in the industry. Fresh off the 2025 releases of Hamnet and The History of Sound, Mescal is currently at a career crossroads, having recently announced a planned step back from the spotlight before his 2028 portrayal of Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes’ The Beatles tetralogy.
We celebrate his big day by ranking the ten roles that proved Paul Mescal is the definitive “sad boy” for a new era of cinema.
Paul Mescal’s 6 Most Iconic Roles
Connell Waldron in Normal People (2020)
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The role that launched a thousand think-pieces and one very famous silver chain. As Connell, Mescal delivered a masterclass in the quiet agony of young adulthood and the struggle to communicate. His performance was so visceral and relatable that it earned him a BAFTA for Best Actor and an Emmy nomination, instantly establishing him as a performer who could carry an ocean of emotion in a single, silent gaze.
Calum Patterson in Aftersun (2022)
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In Charlotte Wells’ devastating directorial debut, Mescal played a young, struggling father on a holiday in Turkey with his daughter. It is a performance of immense subtlety, capturing the thin line between a parent’s love and their internal collapse. The role earned Mescal his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, making him one of the youngest nominees in the category’s history and solidifying his status as a cinematic powerhouse.
Harry in All of Us Strangers (2023)
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Mescal provided the electric, vulnerable heart of Andrew Haigh’s metaphysical romance. Playing Harry, a mysterious neighbor who begins a relationship with Andrew Scott’s Adam, Mescal utilized his signature “sad boy” energy to explore themes of queer isolation and longing. His chemistry with Scott was hailed as some of the best in recent years, earning him another BAFTA nomination and a win at the British Independent Film Awards.
Lucius Verus in Gladiator II (2024)
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Stepping into the Colosseum for Ridley Scott’s massive sequel, Mescal proved he could handle the physical and commercial weight of a summer blockbuster. As Lucius, the son of Lucilla, he brought a gritty, vengeful intensity to the role that honored the legacy of Russell Crowe’s Maximus while making the character entirely his own. It was a pivotal moment that proved he could be a “movie star” just as easily as an indie darling.
William Shakespeare in Hamnet (2025)
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In one of his most recent and commanding roles, Mescal portrayed the legendary playwright in Chloe Zhao’s adaptation of the Maggie O’Farrell novel. The film focuses on the devastating death of Shakespeare’s young son and the grief that would eventually inspire Hamlet. Mescal’s performance, alongside Jessie Buckley, has been cited as a career high, earning him significant awards buzz for the 2026 season for its raw, poetic exploration of loss.
Lionel Worthing in The History of Sound (2025)
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Released in early 2025, this World War I–era romantic drama saw Mescal starring opposite Josh O’Connor. Playing a young man traveling to record the folk songs of America, Mescal showcased a gentle, inquisitive side of his acting range. The film’s melancholic beauty allowed him to lean back into the intimate, character-driven storytelling that first made him a star, further endearing him to critics.
