John O’Connor examines the rise of the sexy Irish man in recent cinema through the career of Paul Mescal and other Irish stars.
The recent influx of Irish talent to Hollywood is undeniable. From Cillian Murphy to Barry Keoghan, Daryl McCormack, Colin Farrel, and many more, Irish men are the hot property of Hollywood at the moment. The rising popularity of Irish actors cast in both critically and commercially successful films and television series is exemplified by the rapidly evolving and dynamic career of Paul Mescal. The Maynooth native first appeared onscreen in Lenny Abrahamson’s television adaptation of Sally Rooney’s bestselling novel, Normal People (2020) and has since then established himself as a household name, if not as a handsome Irish heartthrob, also. Mescal made his film debut in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s critically acclaimed film, The Lost Daughter (2021) and garnered immense critical and public acclaim for his performance in Charlotte Wells’s Aftersun (2022), which earned him his first Academy Award nomination last year.
Mescal’s upcoming filmography spotlights both his own popularity and that of his fellow Irish actors, many of whom he is expected to star alongside in the coming months. Notably, he will star opposite Dublin-born actor Andrew Scott in Andrew Haigh’s upcoming romantic drama All of Us Strangers (2023), and will portray William Shakespeare alongside Jessie Buckley’s Anne Hathaway in Hamnet, directed by the visionary auteur Chloe Zhao. Mescal will also have a leading role in Garth Davis’s sci-fi thriller Foe (2023), alongside another of Ireland's greatest exports to Hollywood, Saoirse Ronan.
The idea of such acclaimed filmmakers placing their trust in Mescal to bring their visions to life, instead of the American and British names that usually dominate the end credits, is indicative of a promising future for other young Irish actors. These upcoming movies will undoubtedly showcase to audiences the raw talent that made them fall in love with Mescal in the first place, and it will also benefit the careers of Mescal’s peers who are riding this new wave of Irish bankability (and “bang-ability”).
The idea of such acclaimed filmmakers placing their trust in Mescal to bring their visions to life, instead of the American and British names which usually dominate the end credits, is indicative of a promising future for other young Irish actors.
Many of these actors have made careers in Hollywood long before Mescal and are still benefiting from the upsurge in popularity that his career and talent signify. Having finally secured the lead role in a Christopher Nolan movie in Oppenheimer (2023) after over a decade of smaller roles, Cillian Murphy has garnered acclaim for his performance in undeniably one of the most discussed and debated films of the last decade. With whispers of a career-first Oscar nomination, the film nearing €800 million at the box office, and the multiple TikTok edits dominating millions of For You pages, it is safe to say that Nolan’s choice to choose the Cork-born actor has ultimately paid off. With yet another visionary storyteller like Nolan choosing an Irish voice to bring this decisive historical figure alive, it is undeniable that Irish talent can and will dominate, both commercially at the global box office and during the upcoming awards season.
With yet another visionary storyteller like Nolan choosing an Irish voice to bring this decisive historical figure alive, it is undeniable that Irish talent can and will dominate, both commercially at the global box office and during the upcoming awards season.
This rise in the popularity of Irish actors is not a new trend, but a repeating one. Ireland has produced actors of talent and note for decades; Colin Farell, Brendan Gleeson, and Gabriel Byrne have easily become household names, not just in Ireland, but all over the world. It is safe to assume that these men have earned their stardom, but if there was any concern that their best work was behind them, Martin McDonagh’s Banshees of Inisherin (2022) put the spotlight back on Irish talent. This authentic and unique Irish story told by famed Irish actors gave Farrell, Gleeson, Keoghan and Kerry Kondon their first Academy Award nominations, and showcased to the world the level of talent, which one could argue has long been underestimated, being nurtured and exported from Ireland. This was not just a fleeting moment in the history of Irish cinema, as these four incredible talents all have incredibly exciting films in the works which will only catapult this Irish craze even further.
Of course, this trend is not only limited to Irish actors but also includes a wealth of Irish actresses. Saoirse Ronan and Ruth Negga have graced our screens for over a decade now with their multifaceted and nuanced performances captivating audiences and critics alike. In recent years, other such actresses including Jessie Buckley are finding huge success. With roles in Chernobyl (2019), Fargo (2014 – present) I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020), and an Oscar-nominated performance in The Lost Daughter (2021), Buckley is quickly becoming not only one of Ireland’s most talented actresses but one of the best of her generation.
It is clear that Paul Mescal is in very good (and good-looking) company. His career epitomises the next generation of successful Irish film talent and lends itself to the promise that the future of the Irish industry and its young creatives is indeed bright.