Paul Mescal recently confessed in an interview with W Magazine that he lied about his driving skills to secure his role as Connell in Normal People. The 28-year-old actor admitted that he told the production team he could drive, even though he didn’t have a full driver’s license at the time. “I said I could drive for Normal People, and I could not drive,” Mescal revealed. He further shared that he ended up filming the series with a provisional license, only able to drive if a fully licensed driver was in the car with him. He joked about his driving skills, saying he did “the best driving” and joking that it’s all on record, while also emphasizing that he does all his own stunts.
Normal People, based on Sally Rooney’s novel, follows the complex romance between Connell (Mescal) and Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) as they navigate the challenges of high school and college.
Mescal and Edgar-Jones, who have become very close friends since working together on the series, have continued to hang out casually. The two were seen together at the 2022 Met Gala, where Mescal shared an iconic moment as he looked at Edgar-Jones lovingly while she ascended the Met steps. The pair were also spotted together at the 2023 Glastonbury Festival, with Edgar-Jones sharing a picture of the two of them at the event. Edgar-Jones has spoken highly of Mescal, calling him “one of my lifetime best friends” and praising his grounded nature. She fondly recalled their first meeting when she was 20 and Mescal was 22, and she expressed excitement for the future and where their paths will take them.
Fans can stream Normal People on Hulu.