Normal People’s Paul Mescal admits he ‘struggled’ with the absence of work during lockdown

Normal People’s Paul Mescal says he ‘struggled’ not working during lockdown as he reveals he blew his first paycheck on DRINKS for the cast

He went from a virtual unknown to an international star with his role as Connell Waldron in BBC Three’s Normal People last year.

And amid the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, Paul Mescal has told how he found it difficult not working everyday as he admitted he ‘struggled with the absence of work’.

The Irish actor, 24, also told how he blew his first paycheck from the BBC drama on a round of drinks for the cast and crew. 

Tough: Amid the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, Paul Mescal told how he found it difficult not working everyday as he admitted he ‘struggled with the absence of work’ (pictured in January 2020)

Discussing how he felt amid the restrictions, Paul told OK! Magazine: ‘I’ve struggled with the absence of work. A vast period of the day which would’ve been occupied is now totally unoccupied.’

The hunk went on to say that he passed the time in isolation by keeping fit, adding the that he had been cheered up by happiness hormone serotonin, which is released through exercise.

He continued: ‘My life is a lot of Zoom calls and lots of running. I’ve been trying to get as much serotonin as I can. Serotonin is a wonderful thing.’

Paul’s turn as Connell in Normal People was hugely popular, with millions of fans swooning over his character’s relationship with Marianne Sheridan (Daisy Edgar Jones).

Drinks are on me: The Irish actor, 24, also told how he blew his first paycheck from  BBC drama Normal People on a round of drinks for the cast and crew (pictured with co-star Daisy Edgar Jones)

Drinks are on me: The Irish actor, 24, also told how he blew his first paycheck from  BBC drama Normal People on a round of drinks for the cast and crew (pictured with co-star Daisy Edgar Jones)

And amid his success from the show, Paul told how he spent his entire first pay packet of booze for the crew.

He added: ‘I did stupid things like buying the cast a round of drinks, which was pretty much my entire wage!’  

Despite initially struggling with his lack of business at the start of lockdown, Paul is now occupied with filming for the movie adaptation of opera Carmen in a tiny rural town in Australia.

The actor was recently seen on the set in Breadalbane, New South Wales ahead of scenes opposite co-star Melissa Barrera.  

Difficult: 'I’ve struggled with the absence of work. A vast period of the day which would’ve been occupied is now totally unoccupied' (pictured in July)

Difficult: ‘I’ve struggled with the absence of work. A vast period of the day which would’ve been occupied is now totally unoccupied’ (pictured in July)

Keeping occupied: 'My life is a lot of Zoom calls and lots of running. I’ve been trying to get as much serotonin as I can. Serotonin is a wonderful thing'

Keeping occupied: ‘My life is a lot of Zoom calls and lots of running. I’ve been trying to get as much serotonin as I can. Serotonin is a wonderful thing’

Paul’s work as a lovelorn student on Normal People alongside co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones, also won him a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie at the 2020 Primetime Emmy Awards. 

Inspired by Sally Rooney’s novel of the same name, Normal People details the complicated relationship of Marianne and Connell, in a modern day love story. 

In an interview with Britain’s GQ magazine last year, Paul said he never set out to become an actor at a young age.

Bad idea? Amid his success from the show, Paul told how he spent his entire first pay packet of booze for the crew

Bad idea? Amid his success from the show, Paul told how he spent his entire first pay packet of booze for the crew

‘I became an actor certainly not by accident but late. I wasn’t one of those kids who wanted to act from the age of 12. Not at all. In fact, my dad did some acting and I used to watch him in plays and just feel no desire at all to be up there myself, perhaps oddly.’ 

Once he turned 18, he had to decide on whether to make acting his profession. 

‘I really struggled with that decision: choosing one thing to focus on that I wouldn’t get utterly bored with. 

‘Acting was something that I didn’t really know how to do but I could see how it would take a great deal of dedication.’ 

Unintentional: In an interview with Britain's GQ magazine last year, Paul said he never set out to become an actor at a young age

Unintentional: In an interview with Britain’s GQ magazine last year, Paul said he never set out to become an actor at a young age