Paul Mescal Eyes Hiatus After Hamnet, Plans Beatles Return in 2028

Paul Mescal is preparing to step away from the spotlight after wrapping up the promotional tour for his latest film, Hamnet, which is already generating Oscar buzz. The actor recently shared his intentions, saying,

"Once I've finished promoting [Hamnet], I hope nobody gets to see me until 2028 when I'm doing the Beatles. People will get a break from me and I'll get a break from them."

In Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao, Mescal takes on the role of William Shakespeare. The film explores the emotional aftermath of the playwright's young son's death, a tragedy that would later inspire Hamlet. Jessie Buckley stars alongside Mescal as Shakespeare's wife, Agnes, bringing depth to the family ’s story.

Reflecting on Career and Creative Limits

Mescal, who has been in the industry for about six years, admits that the pace of his career has taken a toll. He explained,

"I'm five or six years into this now, and I feel very lucky. But I'm also learning that I don't think I can go on doing it as much."

He went on to discuss the demands of his recent projects, including the period romance The History of Sound, co-starring Josh O'Connor. According to Mescal,

"It means learning that films like [new period romance, co-starring Josh O'Connor] The History of Sound take more out of the well. You can't keep going back and expect to consistently deliver something you're proud of. What that rationing looks like, I don't know. I miss being on stage, so I might have a time when I'm only doing theatre for a couple of years."

Looking Ahead to the Beatles Project

Mescal’s next major role is set for 2028, when he will portray Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes’ ambitious Beatles film series. The project will feature four separate movies, each focusing on a different member of the legendary band, all scheduled to premiere on the same day. Harris Dickinson, Joseph Quinn, and Barry Keoghan will play John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, respectively. The cast also includes Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney and James Norton as Brian Epstein, the band’s manager.

Hamnet is currently playing in theaters across the United States and will debut in the United Kingdom on January 9. For those eager to see what’s next on the big screen, there’s a full slate of anticipated films lined up for 2026.