‘I think there’s room for another major relationship in his life’: Normal People’s Paul Mescal reveals what he thinks will happen to Connell after series cliffhanger
Paul Mescal has revealed what he thinks will happen to Connell Waldren.
Viewers watched the compelling coming-of-age BBC drama Normal People end with the literature student gaining a scholarship in New York, while his girlfriend Marianne Sheridan (Daisy Edgar-Jones) vowed to stay in Ireland to complete her studies.
Now, in a podcast for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Paul, 24, has revealed his post-finale predictions for the complex character, who was created by novelist Sally Rooney.
Future predictions: Paul Mescal has revealed what he thinks will happen to Connell Waldren (pictured in July)
Paul said: ‘My opinion kind of changes with the breeze in the sense that I think he goes to New York.
‘I think Connell is not somebody who’s particularly well-equipped to exist in New York, but I think that him being so drastically out of his comfort zone will allow him to really focus on his identity as a writer. I think he will, at some point, start to thrive in New York.’
When asked if he thinks Connell’s relationship with Marianne will be able to last the long distance, the actor replied: ‘Of course there’s the question of where do him and Marianne fit in? And this is the tricky one. I don’t know.
Young love: Viewers watched the coming-of-age BBC drama Normal People end on a cliffhanger, after he gained a scholarship in New York (pictured with Daisy Edgar-Jones)
‘I think there’s probably room for another major relationship in his life, potentially not with her, and likewise with her.’
He continued: ‘I think that they will cause a lot of hurt to their potential partners before they end up being back together, because fundamentally I believe that they will…see what’s in front of them, and commit, and that’s what I like.
‘I don’t think it would be an easy five to 10 years.’
Paul added he thinks the character has the potential to become a brilliant writer.
Last month, the actor was astounded when he won a surprise nomination at the forthcoming 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards.
Interesting: Paul said: ‘I think there’s probably room for another major relationship in his life, potentially not with her, and likewise with her’
Mescal has been nominated in the category for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie, but he faces stiff competition from fellow nominees Jeremy Irons, High Jackman, Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Pope.
Paul has since thanked Daisy, 22, for her work and championed her ‘extraordinary talent’ for the show’s success.
Sharing a picture of Connell in tears, the Irish star thanked Daisy, as well as Normal People director Lenny Abrahamson.
He wrote: ‘My actual face right now! Thank you to absolutely everyone at @ElementPictures, @Hulu and @BBCThree!
Turbulent romance: Paul predicted: ‘I think that they will cause a lot of hurt to their potential partners before they end up being back together’ (pictured together at the BAFTAs last month)
‘@lennyabrahamson I will never be able to thank you enough! @DaisyEdgarJones this only exists because of you and your extraordinary talent it’s as simple as that! Thank you all x.’
Mescal has also shared his disappointment for co-star Daisy being snubbed, he told Vulture: ‘If it was me I would have given her all the love in that category. I can’t speak highly enough of the work she did on the show.
‘I know there are extraordinary actresses nominated in that category, but I think Daisy’s work is just phenomenal in this.’
This year’s Primetime Emmy Awards will be conducted virtually as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, with guests participating from home for the first time in the show’s history.
We’ve done so much good for each other: Mescal has thanked co-star Daisy for her work and championed her ‘extraordinary talent’ for the show’s success after his Emmy nomination