Normal People’s Paul Mescal responds after being called ‘British’ in Emmys coverage: ‘I’m Irish’

Normal People’s Paul Mescal has issued a short response to media reports that listed him as a “British” Emmy-nominated actor.

On Tuesday (28 July), the 24-year-old Irish actor was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series, for his performance as Connell Waldron in BBC Three’s critically acclaimed adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel.

However, a number of publications listed Mescal, who was born in Maynooth, County Kildare, among the “British actors” to have earned a nod, alongside Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer and Succession’s Matthew McFadyen.

Killing Eve star Fiona Shaw and Black Mirror's Andrew Scott were also incorrectly listed as “British” in some reports.

Mescal took to Twitter to correct these reports, simply tweeting: “I’m Irish.”

Mescal recently said that he was “totally” surprised his Normal People co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones wasn’t nominated for an Emmy.

“If it was me I would have given her all the love in that category,” he said. 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.”

Responding to his nomination, Mescal also shared a still of his Normal People character crying, and commented: “My actual face right now!”

Thanking director Lenny Abrahamson, who he would “forever be indebted to”, Mescal turned his attention to co-star Edgar-Jones with the words: “@daisyedgarjones this only exists because of you and extraordinary talent, end of.”