Who Is Paul Mescal? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About the ‘Aftersun’ Star

Just like hisNormal Peoplealter ego Connell, Mescal attended Trinity College. The only difference? In Mescal’s case, his focus was drama. In fact, he studied at The Lir Academy, which is Trinity’s in-house drama school. (It’s also associated with London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.) During his time there, he starred in productions ranging fromMuch Ado About Nothingby William Shakespeare toChildren of the Sun由米axim Gorky, according to hisLir Academy student profile. He’s also trained in stage combat, not to mention a variety of accents including New York, General American and Southern United States.

2. He Is Also Super Athletic

Yep, in addition to acting, Mescal was actually a pretty promising Gaelic football player, competing at the under-21 level for his county team, Kildare G.A.A. But when he suffered a broken jaw during a match at Trinity, he gave it up, explaining toVoguethat that was the moment when he realized acting and sports “don’t coexist, unfortunately.”

3. Did We Mention He Can Sing?

Mescal recently deleted his social media accounts, but they used to feature his immense range of talents—singingandpiano playing included. (His cover of Lady Gaga’sA Star Is Borntunegave us chills.)

Post-college and pre-Normal People, Mescal had quite a reputation as a darling of the Ireland stage. He played Jay Gatsby inThe Great Gatsbyat the Gate Theatre in Dublin and Demetrius inA Midsummer Night’s Dreamat the Kilkenny Arts Festival, roles that garnered him rave reviews.

He previously revealed on theI’m Grand Mampodcastthat he’s sworn off dating apps—but he’d definitely like to be married if quarantine ever happens again. “I think we’re at the point where I want to get married and settle down,” he said. “But you know that kind of hysterical thing where if lockdown ever happens again, I’m making sure that I’m married. But yeah, I’m looking forward to dating!”