A Memorable On-Set Moment
Years after the breakout success of the BBC series Normal People, star Paul Mescal has shared a lighthearted look back at the challenges of filming the show’s intimate scenes. In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Mescal recalled an incident involving his co-star, Daisy Edgar-Jones, that left the cast and crew struggling to maintain their composure.
The actors were filming a series of intimate sequences early in the production, a process that required them to be coated in a specialized gel, known as “Egyptian Magic,” which simulated sweat. According to Mescal, the friction caused by the gel led to an unintentional sound during a take.
Preserving Professionalism
“When we separated, it made a really loud fart noise,” Mescal explained. “Me and Daisy started hysterically laughing, but the crew and director all thought that one of us had farted and were really trying to preserve our dignity.” The moment has since become a humorous footnote in the history of the show, which propelled both actors to global stardom.
Since their collaboration on the 2020 series, both Mescal and Edgar-Jones have seen their careers flourish. Mescal has received critical acclaim for his roles in Aftersun and his theatrical work, while Edgar-Jones continues to lead high-profile projects. Mescal is currently preparing for a series of high-profile roles, including a portrayal of Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles biopics.