Paul Mescal proves he's still got his feet firmly on the ground after Gladiator II success as he takes the Tube with other London commuters

After starring in last year's Hollywood blockbuster Gladiator II, Paul Mescal might have let fame go to his head.

But the Irish actor, 29, proves he's still got his feet firmly on the ground by taking the Tube with other London commuters.

His Piccadilly Line trip followed an appearance in his latest role in A Streetcar Named Desire at the Noel Coward Theatre.

The play has returned to the West End after a previous run in which Mescal received rave reviews for his powerful portrayal of Stanley Kowalski and picked up an Olivier Award.

Mescal, who shot to fame in Normal People, looked like any other passenger and went unnoticed, with his headphones, baseball cap, stained jacket, hoodie and jeans.

The actor has previously spoken of keeping things real, saying: 'I don't think there's anything wrong with ambition. But you have to decide where your priorities are.'

Five years after his breakout role as Connell Waldron in Normal People, Paul Mescal appears to be living up to the show's title.

The production of A Streetcar Named Desire he is starring in - which has been met with positive reviews - sees Mescal alongside Patsy Ferran, 35, with many critics praising his powerful portrayal of Stanley Kowalski.

But on his journey home, the star looked like an everyday Joe. 

He kept it low-key as he sat quietly with the obligatory headphones in, going largely unnoticed by fellow passengers.

Londoners may have their gripes about the Tube, but it is clearly still the transport of choice for some stars.

Emma Watson, 34, Eddie Redmayne, 43, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, 55, have all been spotted using the Underground.

Since Normal People first aired on BBC Three in April 2020, Mescal has secured major roles in Gladiator II and All of Us Strangers, cementing his place among Hollywood's leading men.

However, his growing success has not changed his grounded approach to life.

Originally from Maynooth, County Kildare, Mescal has previously spoken about navigating fame without losing himself.

'I don't think there's anything wrong with ambition,' he said. 'But you have to decide where your priorities are. I never want to stop loving what I do or feel like I'm doing it for the wrong reasons.' 

He added that maintaining a level of anonymity and humility is important for him, especially when dealing with public attention.

One thing certain to keep Mescal grounded is his absence from this year's Oscar nominations.

Despite Gladiator II earning nine nods, including one for Denzel Washington, 70, Mescal was left out of the Leading Actor category.

The 2025 BAFTA Film Awards ceremony is scheduled for February 16 in London.

While Gladiator II has earned nine nominations, including a nod for Denzel Washington, Mescal was also notably absent from the Leading Actor category.