Imagine you’re on your commute, listening to a podcast. Someone mentions Paul Mescal’s performance in Aftersun. You might not have seen it, but you remember that scene in Normal People where he can’t say “I love you” properly. That’s the thread—they make characters who feel like your ex, your friend, or your crush.
Or picture you’re at a family dinner. Your cousin is raving about that new show, Where the Crawdads Sing. “Wait, that’s Daisy Edgar-Jones!” you say, feeling a tiny bit smug. Because you know her from before she was a big star. That’s the fun of following their careers.
They’re not just for serious film buffs. They’re for anyone who has ever had a crush, felt awkward at a party, or wanted to cry into a pillow. Their work is basically emotional comfort food, like a warm bowl of soup on a rainy Tuesday.
‘Normal People’ stars announce charity screening
Why You Should Care (Even If You’re Busy)
You might think, “I don’t watch sad Irish dramas; give me something light.” Fair enough. But Paul and Daisy also do funny. In interviews, they’ve re-enacted scenes from Love Island and burst into giggles. They are goofballs. They remind us that fame doesn’t have to be stiff or serious.
There’s a clip of them on a red carpet where Paul is trying to help Daisy with her train, and he nearly trips over her dress. Instead of being annoyed, she just laughed and grabbed his arm. It was the most human thing you’ve ever seen. No PR training can buy that.
So why care? Because they represent something we all need: a reminder that connection can be simple. You don’t need a grand romance to have a meaningful relationship. You just need someone who will help you pick up your dropped bag, let you cry on their shoulder, and then go get a pizza with you.
So next time you’re on the sofa, ignore the doom-scrolling. Put on Normal People or even just a YouTube compilation of them being daft. You’ll feel a little bit lighter, a little bit warmer, and maybe a little less alone. That’s the Paul and Daisy promise: they make ordinary life feel beautifully messy.