At the 2021 Television BAFTAs this week, Paul Mescal nabbed the award for Best Actor following his portrayal of Connell in Normal People. In his acceptance speech, Mescal lovingly dedicated the award to his co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones who played Connell’s tumultuous love interest, Marianne.
“I fully was not expecting to be here so I’ve no clue what I’m going to say,” Mescal nervously quipped in front of a socially-distanced audience.
While he thanked the BBC, his agent and all the people behind-the-scenes, the 25-year-old took a breath before dedicating the award to Edgar-Jones and describing the actress as the “best scene partner and one of the best people I know.”
Her most recent Instagram gallery showed the actress wiping tears away as she watched on live from a New Orleans hotel room. And now we’re all crying.
Paul Mescal’s acceptance speech for Leading Actor in recognition of his performance as Connell in @NormalPeopleBBC vs. @RichardAyoade’s commentary immediately after 😂 Some people just have a natural way with words. @mescal_paul #VirginMediaBAFTAs #BAFTATV pic.twitter.com/EjFgWLZVg7
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) June 6, 2021
The 23-year-old participated in the event virtually and took to social media in a stunning Gucci power suit and lace shirt. Edgar-Jones was nominated for Best Leading Actress but lost to the formidable Michael Coel and her performance in I May Destroy You. Edgar-Jones honored her fellow actress before paying homage to her own co-star.
“Thank you so much @bafta for my nomination and congratulations to Michaela Coel, your show and your performance was truly special,” the actress wrote.
“I am ridiculously proud of our Normal People family, our amazing director Lenny Abrahamson, all the cast and crew and my lovely friend Paul Mescal for his deserved win, as you can see I was rather overcome with pride. This is the longest overdue in person celebration ever but some day soon we shall drink and dance and laugh about how crazy the last two years have been and how lucky we are to know each other.”
Released amid lockdown, Normal People is the series adaption of the award-winning novel by Sally Rooney. Edgar-Jones won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film and the Critics Choice Award for Best Limited/Movie Supporting Actress.
