Normal People actor Paul Mescal and his character's chain became instant stars when the Sally Rooney adaptation arrived on the BBC earlier this year. Paul, who was relatively new to the world of TV, plays the role of Connell Waldron alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones' Marianne Sheridan.
Fans of the book instantly fell in love with the TV series - and the brilliantly cast, complex main characters. But opening up about Connell and the attention he now gets, Paul said they couldn't be more alike.
Speaking on the Grand Mam podcast, he said of all the appreciation: "To be honest, it's uncomfortable.
"I'm not trying to be full of faux humility but it's a weird thing when people are very quickly attracted to a character you play.
"And I think that’s the thing I’m focusing on. I’m not Connell, I’m totally different to him. I think maybe what’s sexy about Connell is he’s kind of classic back-footed, aloof, smart. I’m definitely not back-footed or aloof."
Paul, who also revealed he's ready to date once lockdown is over, added: "It was kind of fun at the start - 'Oh, this is mad, people think that Connell’s sexy' - and then a weird thing has kind of crept in where, when people DM, there’s this feeling that maybe there’s an anticipation that I’m him.
"This is for the record - if anybody ever dates me, I am not Connell, and nor do I want to be him."
Got it, Paul!
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Zoe Shenton is the Site Director at Cosmopolitan UK. As well as looking after the day-to-day running of the website, she oversees video, e-commerce and social for the brand. Starting out in teen magazines (RIP, Bliss), Zoe has worked in the media industry for almost 15 years and has a background in entertainment journalism, having interviewed the likes of Harry Styles and Taylor Swift. She also spent three and a half years living in Los Angeles where she covered red carpets and discovered all the best spots serving bottomless mimosas. Find her on
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