How Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal’s friendship blossomed after co-starring in the risqué Normal People

They rose to fame when Normal People aired in 2020, becoming the most-watched series of the year on the BBC.

However, lead stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal not only left the show with a great addition to their CV, but also a lifelong friendship.

Dubbed ‘the first great millennial love story’, the 12-part series starred the pair as on-again, off-again lovers in Ireland and the show became famous for its highly risqué sex scenes.

However, Daisy, 26, and Paul, 28, were unfazed by filming the steamy scenes as they had built up a good rapport on set.

Speaking to Deadline when the series aired, Paul described Daisy as his “best friend.”

The couple rose to fame when Normal People aired in 2020, with the show becoming the BBC’s most-watched series of the year.

Daisy, 26, and Paul, 28, were unfazed when filming the steamy scenes, having built up a rapport on set (pictured, December 2022).

He revealed: ‘I’ve definitely found a friend, one of my best friends for life.

“If the show had been a complete failure, that’s something that brings me enormous joy, to have found someone who is an incredible person and who I really enjoy working with.”

Daisy added: ‘I think Paul and I will always be best friends.

‘One of the most special things I got out of Normal People was meeting Paul. Because it was a scary thing and we were both very scared to do it.

‘It’s a lot of pressure to take on characters that people have already fallen in love with and that were trapped in their own imagination.’

Daisy, who has been dating photographer Ben Seed since 2023, joked that she had “fallen in love” with Paul on set.

At the Fastnet Film Festival in Cork, Ireland, she shared: “I met Paul, I fell in love with him… as a friend. I’m announcing it here.”

Last month, the couple sent fans into a frenzy after spending the weekend together at the iconic Glastonbury Festival.

Paul described Daisy as his “best friend” and said: “I’ve definitely found a friend, one of my best friends for life.”

Daisy, who has been dating photographer Ben Seed since 2023, joked that she had “fallen in love” with Paul when they met (pictured at the 2022 Met Gala).

Last month, Daisy had some kind words for her former co-star: “He’s an incredibly grounded person and so am I, I think” (pictured, September 2023).

The actress thrilled fans by sharing photos from the Worthy Farm music event, including a snap of her fun reunion with Paul.

“Glasto you’ve been good to me,” Daisy captioned the post, which showed her and Paul hugging each other.

However, some fans were fooled by the tender images in which the couple was seen hugging in a field.

Speaking about how she deals with romance rumours, Daisy told The Times: ‘You look on really in bewilderment, because it’s interesting to see what narratives people write into.

‘They’re usually pretty harmless and when they see me, they’re usually just like, “Oh, is that that person?” And I’m like, “It is.”

Daisy was also full of kind words for her former co-star during a chat with Variety last month.

She told the publication: ‘He’s an incredibly down-to-earth person and I am too, I think, so it’s nice to be able to have those role models and those people that you can laugh with and be light-hearted with.

‘We met when I was 20 and Paul was 22, and I’m really excited to see where we’ll be at 32, 42 and what life will bring.’

The couple recently enjoyed a double date night, with Paul and his new girlfriend Gracie Abrams attending the All Points East Festival with Daisy and Ben.

While they have enjoyed spending time together socially, it remains to be seen whether the pair will work together again (pictured in Normal People).

The couple recently enjoyed a double date night, with Paul and his new girlfriend. Gracie Abrams attends All Points East Festival with Daisy and Ben.

While they have enjoyed spending time together socially, it remains to be seen whether the pair will work together again.

During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Daisy was asked about the possibility of another Normal People, but she replied: ‘No, there’s no second season that I’m aware of!’

However, if it were up to Daisy, she would watch Marianne and Connell again, and say, “It was really special. I love those characters and that world. I would love to go back and see where they are ten years later.”