Image: BBCWhen will it end!
Irish actor Paul Mescal has responded to being called British in the UK press, following his Emmy nomination for his role in Normal People yesterday.
Mescal, along with fellow Irish actor Andrew Scott were both called 'British talent' in an article, which promoted quite the justifiable outcry from Irish people on Twitter.
Most notably, Derry Girls actress Nicola Coughlan was quick to point out the error.
Why is this still happening in 2020??
Just stop calling Irish people British there’s no excuse https://t.co/lg420xt2JC— Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) July 28, 2020
But she certainly wasn't the only one...
'British actors Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott.....' pic.twitter.com/dYDAA7WHHe
— Caolán Mc Aree (@Caolanmcaree) July 29, 2020
The Brits claiming @mescal_paul for the Emmys
Irish twitter:
All is well pic.twitter.com/kmDpM2byMu
— Eoin Kelleher (@eoinyk) July 28, 2020
They’re not British actors. Paul Mescal & Andrew Scott are Irish. There is no similarity, there is no comparison. Irish is Irish. British is British pic.twitter.com/N7vZBEbDKT
— Dylan Laird (@Laird400) July 29, 2020
So to 100% put the issue to bed once and for all, Paul himself has today cleared up the issue.
Saying bluntly: 'I'm Irish.'
I’m Irish.
— Paul Mescal (@mescal_paul) July 29, 2020
Just about as black and white as it gets.
Mescal's nomination was just one of four for Normal people, with Lenny Abrahamson nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Sally Rooney and Alice Birch for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series and Louise Kiely for Outstanding Casting for a Limited Series.
Other Irish nominations include Andrew Scott's performance in Black Mirror for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series shortlist, and Fiona Shaw for Best Supporting Actress, Drama, for her role on Killing Eve.
