Paul Mescal Plans Career Hiatus After Hamnet Oscar Campaign
The Irish actor reveals his intention to step back from Hollywood after his Shakespeare biopic promotion wraps, with plans to return for Sam Mendes' Beatles project.
Paul Mescal wants to pump the brakes on his Hollywood career. The Irish actor says he's planning to "ration" his work over the coming years, starting right after he finishes promoting Hamnet, his latest film that's generating serious Oscar buzz.
"Once I've finished promoting [Hamnet], I hope nobody gets to see me until 2028 when I'm doing the Beatles," Mescal told The Guardian. "People will get a break from me and I'll get a break from them."
Shakespeare Role Marks Career Turning Point
In Chloé Zhao's new drama, Mescal takes on William Shakespeare himself. The Eternals director crafted a story around the death of Shakespeare's young son and how that tragedy sparked the creation of Hamlet. Jessie Buckley stars opposite him as Agnes, Shakespeare's wife.
The 28-year-old actor admits the intensity of his recent projects is taking a toll. "I'm five or six years into this now, and I feel very lucky. But I'm also learning that I don't think I can go on doing it as much," he explained.
Demanding Roles Drain Creative Energy
Mescal points to his upcoming period romance The History of Sound, where he stars alongside Josh O'Connor, as an example of how certain projects demand everything from him. "Films like [The History of Sound] take more out of the well. You can't keep going back and expect to consistently deliver something you're proud of."
The actor hasn't mapped out exactly what his scaled-back approach will look like. Theater might become his focus. "I miss being on stage, so I might have a time when I'm only doing theatre for a couple of years."
Beatles Project Awaits in 2028
Sam Mendes has cast Mescal as Paul McCartney in an ambitious Beatles film series. Four separate movies will hit theaters simultaneously in 2028, each spotlighting a different band member.
Harris Dickinson will portray John Lennon, while Joseph Quinn takes on George Harrison and Barry Keoghan plays Ringo Starr. The supporting cast includes Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney and James Norton as manager Brian Epstein.
Hamnet opened in US theaters recently and reaches UK cinemas January 9. For now, Mescal seems content to let this Shakespeare story be his final act before stepping away from the spotlight.