Normal People’s Paul Mescal Reveals What It’s Like To Film Those Intimate Sex Scenes

 

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A post shared by Paul Mescal (@paul.mescal) on Apr 25, 2020 at 9:52am PDT

If you caught the first two episodes of Normal People on RTÉ earlier this week, then I’m sure you’re also shouting praise for Sally Rooney’s screen adaptation, while fawning over the lead actors Paul Mescal (Connell) and Daisy Edgar-Jones (Marianne).

Giving the most realistic take on noughties Ireland, sitting the Leaving Cert, worrying about the future and navigating love, Normal People ticks all those boxes and the praise it’s receiving so far is through the roof.

In particular, fans are loving the show’s sex scenes. Showing sex in all its awkwardness, with no Hollywood smoke and mirrors, Normal People highlights everything from the fumbling removal of clothes to the importance of consent and the difficult of manoeuvring two bodies in a single bed.

At his first “go at it” besides his role as Mr Ballyhaunis in that Denny’s ad, Paul explained what it was like to film all those intimate scenes during his series debut.

“[There was a] sense of security and safety that the nudity required on the show wasn’t going to be used perversely or feel pornographic.”

“It was always Lenny’s intention for it to be honest and truthful. When you trust people of Lenny and Hettie’s calibre, you trust what they want to do with the film.”

Continuing, Paul added that an intimacy coordinator worked with them throughout filming, helping them to feel comfortable and confident at all times.

“We felt incredibly empowered throughout to discuss things that might make us feel uncomfortable if we were to see it back on screens.”

Since the show has landed on RTÉ, fans have been singing the show’s praises with many UK viewers already finished the 12 part series after binging it on the BBC player.

I have spent my day watching all 12 episodes of #NormalPeople .The beautiful vulnerability of it all, the important themes that were approached, the most incredible chemistry between two actors. I loved every single thing about it. Please take the time to watch it, just gorgeous. pic.twitter.com/l5gMbudKCN

— Sarah Alexandra (@sarah_alexandr4) April 29, 2020

Just finished @normalpeople and need time to recover. It’s hard not to care for characters that are not real people when it can feel so relatable, there will be lots of viewers who will see themselves in Marianne and Connell. Literally best thing I’ve watched for months

— Molly Revell (@MollyRevell) April 29, 2020

Could not recommend Normal People enough. Haven’t watched anything so cinematically beautiful and moving in a long time #NormalPeople pic.twitter.com/vi4kkS3XnQ

— Eilidh MacLeod (@eilidhmacleod01) April 29, 2020

I can’t stop thinking about #NormalPeople. It’s *SO* good.

— Tilly Keeper (@tillykeeper) April 29, 2020

My heart is breaking just as much as it did when reading the book. Absolutely loving #NormalPeople pic.twitter.com/QGN6QkJ0B1

— KIRSTY (@_krogg) April 29, 2020

Is it possible to be too obsessed? Because we think we are. Normal People returns to RTÉ next Tuesday night at 10:15pm.

• Daisy Esgar Jones
• Normal People
• Paul Mescal