When the 2023 Oscar nominations were announced in January, there was one nod that took some people by surprise: Paul Mescal in the shortlist for best actor.
The Irish star has received the recognition for his incredible work in “Aftersun,” released by A24 in 2022.
He’s the only nomination for the film, in which Mescal stars as a former teen dad who’s struggling to connect with his preteen daughter and himself, told through the eyes of that daughter (played by Frankie Corio as a child and Celia Rowlson-Hall).
While his nod is undoubtedly deserved, Mescal is remaining humble and told the Evening Standard, “Look, I’m not going to win.” But he is preparing a speech just in case!
“It’s kind of low-stakes pressure, I can basically just sit back and enjoy it,” he explained, adding that the thrill of being nominated is still exciting.
He said, “Like if I’ve a film coming out, now it will say, ‘Oscar-nominee Paul Mescal’, and I’m like, ‘Whoa that’s mad.’ It’s just cool, I’m going to be at the thing I remember ...
...watching when I was growing up. And when they call out the best actors there’s going to be a camera on me and my mum, waiting to clap for — hopefully — Colin Farrell.”
“But only because I didn’t have one for the BAFTAs [he won Leading Actor for “Normal People” in 2021]. I was convinced I wouldn’t win.” And then some wise words from a fellow actor brought him back to reality.
“I saw Michaela Coel backstage straight after and she was like, ‘Well done, well done — you should have prepared a speech’,” he laughs.
“So I’m going to write one and then have it framed when I never have to use it.” Mescal was launched into the spotlight after he starred in 2020’s series “Normal People” alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones.