Paul Mescal went from a virtual unknown to an international star with his role as Connell Waldron in BBC Three’s Normal People last year.
And the Irish-born actor looked right at ease as he commenced filming for the movie adaptation of opera Carmen, in a tiny rural town in Australia on Friday.
The 24-year-old showed off his biceps in a black muscle tank and jeans on the set in Breadalbane, New South Wales, in scenes opposite co-star Melissa Barrera.
Another A-list production Down Under: Normal People star Paul Mescal (pictured), 24, began filming the movie adaptation of opera Carmen in a tiny Australian town on Friday
Paul, who plays the male lead of Aidan, also donned black lace-up boots and tinted sunglasses.
He was seen perfecting his boxing skills, and mingled with cast and crew outside of a blue vehicle on a deserted street.
Melissa, 30, who has been cast in the titular role, wore a fitted burgundy top, a yellow silk skirt and sneakers, on set.
Ready to work: The Irish-born actor showed off his biceps in a black muscle tank and jeans on the set in Breadalbane, on the outskirts of Goulburn, in New South Wales
Perfecting his craft: Paul was seen perfecting his boxing skills, and mingled with cast and crew outside of a blue vehicle on a deserted street
In character: Paul, who plays the male lead of Aidan, also donned black lace-up boots and tinted sunglasses
Carmen is filmmaker Benjamin Millepied’s feature directorial debut, and is an adaptation of the beloved opera.
Benjamin, who is married to American actress Natalie Portman, and arrived in Australia in November, previously shared his excitement at having cast Paul and Melissa in the roles.
‘I feel so lucky to have actors as extraordinary as Melissa, Paul and Rossy (Rossy de Palma) with me on this film,’ he said in an official statement.
Ink: The global superstar, who has also been cast in The Lost Daughter opposite Dakota Johnson, drew attention to a tattoo on his left arm
Highly anticipated: Carmen is filmmaker Benjamin Millepied’s feature directorial debut, and is an adaptation of the beloved opera
Co-star: Melissa Barrera (pictured), 30, who has been cast in the titular role, wore a fitted burgundy top, a yellow silk skirt and sneakers, on set
‘Melissa is so intelligent and intuitive, both as an actor and as a mover. I know she will bring depths to Carmen I could not even imagine.
‘Paul has so much nuance and consideration in his work. I am thrilled to have them bring this romance to life.’
While Carmen is set in Spain and tells the story of the downfall of Don José, who is seduced by Carmen, this adaptation will follow a Mexican woman’s search for freedom in Los Angeles, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Enthusiasm: Benjamin, who is married to American actress Natalie Portman, and arrived in Australia in November, previously shared his excitement at having cast Paul and Melissa in the roles
Comments: ‘Melissa is so intelligent and intuitive, both as an actor and as a mover. I know she will bring depths to Carmen I could not even imagine,’ Benjamin said in an official statement
Benjamin continued: ‘Paul has so much nuance and consideration in his work. I am thrilled to have them bring this romance to life’
Filming, which was originally slated to occur in Mexico and Los Angeles, will reportedly continue in Broken Hill, New South Wales.
Paul’s career has gone from strength to strength since debuting as Connell Waldron in Normal People in April last year.
He has since featured in drama The Deceived and will star in The Lost Daughter, opposite Dakota Johnson and Olivia Colman.
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.
Plot: While Carmen is set in Spain and tells the story of the downfall of Don José, who is seduced by Carmen, this adaptation will reportedly follow a Mexican woman’s search for freedom in Los Angeles
Another tiny town: Filming, which was originally slated to occur in Mexico and Los Angeles, will reportedly continue in Broken Hill, New South Wales
Stellar rise: Paul’s career has gone from strength to strength since debuting as Connell Waldron in Normal People in April last year
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.
‘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.’
Acclaimed: 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. Pictured: a member of the cast on set
Modern day love story: 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
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.’
Normal People is available to stream on Stan in Australia
Late bloomer: In an interview with Britain’s GQ magazine last year, Paul said he never set out to become an actor at a young age
Interview: ‘I became an actor certainly not by accident but late,’ he said. ‘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’