Paul Mescal lands his first role in the film the Lost Daughter with Maggie Gyllenhaal

Rose to fame as Connell in Normal People; Now Paul Mescal has lined up a new movie with one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses.

The Irish star has landed his first feature film role in The Lost Daughter, the directorial debut of actress Maggie Gyllenhaal.

And he’s in good company: Other stars lining up to star in the film include Oscar winner Olivia Colman and best actress Dakota Johnson.

She is one of two Irish stars attached to the project, according to American reports: Killarney actress Jessie Buckley has also joined the cast.

It marks the latest breakthrough in an extraordinary year for the Co Kildare actor, who has gone from relative anonymity to being the lead in good faith.

The film stars Olivia Colman as a wealthy college professor who goes on a summer vacation to a spa.

There, she becomes obsessed with a mother and her young daughter as she recalls her own difficult motherhood experiences.

These experiences send her on a downward spiral as she recalls the decisions she made as a young mother. Details about Mescal’s role in the project are not yet known.

The film will mark Gyllenhaal’s first time as a director. Sister of fellow movie star Jake, his high-profile films include The Dark Knight and Donnie Darko, while he also starred in the Irish film Frank.

While reputed for his stage work, Mescal was relatively unknown until director Lenny Abrahamson cast him to play the title role in Normal People, the television adaptation of the popular and acclaimed Sally Rooney novel.

The show was a sensation here and around the world and Mescal is now represented by top CAA agents and Curtis Brown.

The young actor from Maynooth will travel to the United States to begin filming the film in the coming weeks. He recently appeared on our screens on the television series The Deceived and in the Rolling Stones music video Scarlet.