Paul Mescal Shares Insights on Playing Paul McCartney in the Upcoming Beatles Film

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Emma McIntyre/Getty; Bettmann Archive/Getty

Key Details

• Irish actor Paul Mescal stars as Paul McCartney in the upcoming The Beatles—A Four-Film Cinematic Event.
• Mescal, who performs his own singing in the film, has met McCartney multiple times and describes the musician as warm and kind.
• Currently starring as William Shakespeare in Hamnet, Mescal expresses that it is a significant privilege to portray such influential creatives.

In a recent interview, Paul Mescal shared his anticipation for the next two years, commenting, “people will get a break from me. And I’ll get a break from them.”

The 29-year-old actor’s light-hearted remark raised concerns among his enthusiastic fan base, who initially became enamored with him through his breakout role in the acclaimed Hulu series Normal People in 2020. Many worried he might be stepping away from acting altogether.

Mescal and ‘Hamnet’ co-star Jessie Buckley at the Golden Globes.

Gilbert Flores/2026GG/Penske Media via Getty

“What I meant by that is that I’m excited for the period of time that will fundamentally exist where I won’t be promoting anything,” Mescal clarified. “I would really lose my mind if I took two years off out of my job. But what I’m excited about is the concept of not being on a promotional tour for the next two years. And I think it’ll give people a welcome break from seeing my face.”

Mescal in ‘Hamnet’.

Focus Features/YouTube

Despite his rising fame, Mescal remains steadfast in choosing challenging roles in independent films. While he grapples with newfound attention, he has earned critical acclaim for his performance in Hamnet, which has also garnered him a Golden Globe nomination.

Mescal in ‘Hamnet’.

Focus Features/YouTube

The plot of Hamnet explores the fictionalized story of Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes Hathaway, portrayed by Jessie Buckley, focusing on the tragic death of their young son, Hamnet. Mescal finds the narrative compelling not for Shakespeare’s genius but for the insight into his artistic drive: “It’s not about his genius; it’s about his artistic compulsion. That’s fascinating to me,” he remarked.

As accolades continue to accumulate, Mescal maintains a measured stance, stating, “I don’t believe in these terms like ‘movie stars.’ To be clear, I don’t even associate it to be a dirty word. I think I just want to be known as an actor, and Hollywood isn’t the center of the universe for actors.”

Harris Dickinson (John Lennon), Paul Mescal (Paul McCartney), Barry Keoghan (Ringo Starr), and Joseph Quinn (George Harrison).

John Russo

When he finds a moment to relax, Mescal humorously noted he would enjoy “laying down for as long as possible.” However, he admitted, “I struggle with not being busy.”

Looking ahead, Mescal is well-occupied, set to portray Paul McCartney in The Beatles—A Four-Film Cinematic Event and starring in Richard Linklater’s ambitious project Merrily We Roll Along, which spans over two decades and is expected for release around 2040.

Paul Mescal; Sir Paul McCartney.

Karwai Tang/WireImage; Mike Marsland/WireImage

Mescal reflects fondly on his encounters with McCartney, stating, “I think it’s very much tied to the feeling that I got from playing Shakespeare. It’s like a wild privilege to get to play these creative forces and to get a peek behind the curtain.”

While he continues to adapt to the spotlight, Mescal acknowledges that navigating fame requires “time, probably, and consistency.” He added, “The longer you’re in it, you become less shiny, which is a really good thing. People become less interested in what you’re saying and hopefully more interested in the work you’re making.”

Hamnet is currently in theaters.