Paul Mescal Lights Up Chloe Zhao’s ‘Hamnet’: First Reactions Point to Oscar Glory

Paul Mescal’s star is blazing even brighter this month as critics tip Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet” for a major awards haul just days before its 26 November release. Early screenings at Toronto and Los Angeles left audiences reeling at Mescal’s layered turn as William Shakespeare, with pundits already penciling his name onto Best Actor short-lists. HAMNET KICK-STARTS THE OSCAR RACE • Plays a young, ambitious Shakespeare opposite Jessie Buckley’s Agnes. • Critics praise “volcanic chemistry” and Zhao’s raw, elemental direction. • Focus Features rolls out an aggressive campaign across the US and UK. FROM SHAKESPEARE TO MCCARTNEY: A BUSY 2026 SHOOTING SCHEDULE Fresh off the Tudor stage, Mescal is already back in rehearsal rooms with director Sam Mendes, embodying Paul McCartney in the first of four interlocking Beatles biopics. Industry insiders say Mendes was drawn to Mescal’s “combination of soulfulness and athletic work ethic,” traits that powered his breakout in “Aftersun” and now anchor the ambitious Fab Four project. THE MINISERIES FANS CAN’T FIND Adding to the buzz, a once-obscure 2019 Irish crime thriller starring Mescal rocketed up search charts after a viral TikTok edit—but streamers have yet to secure the rights, leaving viewers scouring second-hand DVDs. The scarcity has only intensified demand, driving Reddit threads and soaring eBay prices—proof that almost anything with his name attached now moves the needle. FAME, FIVE YEARS ON Talking to People magazine, the 29-year-old reflected on the “intense” half-decade since “Normal People.” He admits the glare can be overwhelming but says deeper roles keep him grounded and selective about scripts. Mescal credits a tight circle—family in Kildare, singer-songwriter partner Gracie Abrams, and longtime Gaelic football pals—for keeping his off-screen life “stubbornly ordinary.” UPCOMING PAUL MESCAL MOMENTS TO WATCH • 26 Nov 2025: “Hamnet” wide theatrical release • Dec 2025: Awards-season Q&As in Los Angeles, New York, London • Q1 2026: Starts filming “Macca,” the first Mendes Beatles chapter • 2026 festivals: Expected premiere of Gyllenhaal’s gothic “The Bride!” cameo • TBA: Streaming deal announcement for the sought-after crime miniseries WHY THE SEARCH VOLUME MATTERS With “Paul Mescal” hitting peak keyword velocity, entertainment brands are scrambling for tie-ins: fashion houses courting him for campaign shoots, podcast hosts vying for exclusives, and film schools dissecting his understated acting technique. Analysts note that each fresh headline converts directly into higher trailer click-through rates and advance ticket sales, underscoring Mescal’s rare status as both critical darling and reliable traffic driver. BOTTOM LINE Whether conjuring Shakespearean grief, slipping into Beatle boots or sparking a streaming scavenger hunt, Paul Mescal owns the cultural conversation this week. Expect the Google searches—and the awards chatter—to keep climbing long after “Hamnet” bows on cinema screens worldwide.