‘There was an understanding we would fundamentally get on’: Normal People’s Paul Mescal reveals he had instant chemistry with co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones
Paul Mescal has told how it was clear that he and Normal People co-star Daisy Edgar Jones would ‘get on’ soon after they met.
The actor, 24, who stars as Connell in the hit BBC series, revealed the pair spent two weeks getting to know each other before filming started but added that the crew didn’t try to ‘force chemistry’ between them.
Speaking during a Backstage Instagram Live interview, Paul said: ‘There was an understanding that me and Daisy would fundamentally get on. It can be detrimental to force chemistry onto people.
Chemistry: Paul Mescal, 24, has told how it was clear that he and Normal People co-star Daisy Edgar Jones would ‘get on’ soon after they met
He added: ‘We didn’t spend a huge amount of time together. We spent the guts of two weeks. The production weren’t like, you go off and get to know each other.’
Paul said the pair also spent a lot of time with the show’s director Lenny Abrahamson as they came to grips with their characters.
He said: ‘If you let things sit and trust these people understand the characters… and ultimately trusting that we are people who respect each other and over time we’ll be friends.
‘We spent time with Lenny rehearsing the scenes. It was a nice gentle time of talking and creating a playlist for the characters.’
Preparation: The actor, who stars as Connell in the hit BBC series, revealed the pair spent two weeks getting to know each other before filming started
The actor has become well known due to the huge success of the show, admitting his newfound fame has taken some getting used to.
He said: ‘That takes adapting to. It’s not something you learn in drama school. I have amazing friends in the acting community and outside of it and a family that keeps me grounded.’
The series follows Irish students Connell and Marianne (Daisy) as they navigate social and class dynamics from school to university.
It comes after it was announced that Normal People will return for two specials after series one broke BBC iPlayer records.
Paul said: ‘There was an understanding that me and Daisy would fundamentally get on. It can be detrimental to force chemistry onto people’
The two specials will air on Friday June 26 on RTÉ Does Comic in Ireland, with Paul and Daisy reprising their roles, with British viewers able to watch live on RTÉ Player from 8pm.
The charity’s co-founder Richard Curtis thrilled fans when he confirmed the news, which will imagine the lead characters’ lives several decades into the future.
Speaking on RTE Radio 1’s Sunday with Miriam, he said: ‘There’s a beautiful piece called Normal Older People, which is imagining what would have happened to Marianne and Connell 40 years from now.
‘I promise you, these are two very special bits. It’s so much better than anything we’ve ever made.
He added: ‘We didn’t spend a huge amount of time together. We spent the guts of two weeks. The production weren’t like, you go off and get to know each other’
‘I mean I can’t even say all about it because there’s a guest star in it. But it’s really, it’s really beautiful.
‘One of the things about Comic Relief is it just gives opportunities for things to happen that would never happen.
‘I can’t imagine any context in which they would have allowed this little sort of extra special into the world of Normal People.’
Production: Paul said the pair also spent a lot of time with the show’s director Lenny Abrahamson as they came to grips with their characters