The internet's sweetheart – and kissing bandit, if recent internet rumours are to be believed – has once again proved why he assumes such a special place in our hearts.

In a photograph released from the set of Gladiator II, which wrapped filming at the beginning of the year, our collective boyfriend, Paul Mescal, can be seen in all of his rippling glory, relaxing in his gladiator get-up. And frankly, we have no notes whatsoever. Not a single one. In fact, in the face of a serious bout of post-Glasto summertime sadness, a topless Paul is exactly what we didn't know we needed.

FIND OUT MORE ON ELLE COLLECTIVE

The Ridley Scott-directed sequel won't just feature the Normal People star (who will hopefully be topless for the entire length of the film), but also Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington and Barry Keoghan, all of whom are also perfect candidates to be runner-up parasocial boyfriends too.

instagramView full post on Instagram

Mescal, who was recently photographed on a date with Taylor Swift protégée, Gracie Abrams, at London restaurant Brat, has quite the jam-packed year ahead of him. Alongside the premiere of Gladiator II in November, the Irish star will also begin filming Merrily We Roll Along alongside Beanie Feldstein and Ben Platt. In the Richard Linklater-directed film, Mescal will play Hollywood producer Franklin Shephard who has a turbulent relationship with longtime friends theatre critic Charley Kringas (Ben Platt) and writer Mary Flynn (Beanie Feldstein) – told backwards through time.

paul mescal and ayo edebiri
getty images

When he's not busy filming (or teasing us with a potential Normal People sequel), Mescal will no doubt spend the rest of this year teasing us with his blink-and-you'll-miss-them short shorts and those cord earplugs. All hail the new era of Paul Mescal supremacy.

ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE.


Lettermark
Naomi May
Acting News Editor

Naomi May is a freelance writer and editor with an emphasis on popular culture, lifestyle and politics. After graduating with a First Class Honours from City University's prestigious Journalism course, Naomi joined the Evening Standard as its Fashion and Beauty Writer, working across both the newspaper and website. She is now the Acting News Editor at ELLE UK and has written features for the likes of The Guardian, Vogue, Vice and Refinery29, among many others.