It is the question that refuses to die. Since 2020, every time a new photo drops of the two of them, the internet has a collective meltdown. You’ve seen the clips. You’ve seen the "Marianne and Connell" edits on TikTok. You’ve probably even searched for it yourself a dozen times. But did Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones date in real life?
The short answer is no. They didn't.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a heartbreaker for the Normal People stans who spent the better part of the last six years hoping for a secret wedding in the Irish countryside. The chemistry was just too good. It felt too real. But as we sit here in 2026, looking back at their high-profile careers and very public dating histories, the reality is much more "platonic soulmates" than "secret lovers."
The Chemistry That Fooled Everyone
When Normal People premiered in the middle of a global lockdown, people were primed to fall in love. The show was visceral, sweaty, and painfully intimate. Paul and Daisy weren't just acting; they were vibrating on the same frequency.
Naturally, the world assumed it had to be real. How could you look at someone like that and not want to be with them? Paul himself addressed this early on. He told Refinery29 that the sparks between them were something you "genuinely can't cultivate." They either exist or they don't. He was grateful they did, but he was also quick to point out that they were just friends.
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Daisy was even more direct. Back in 2020, she was actually living with her then-boyfriend, actor Tom Varey. While fans were busy tweeting that Paul and Daisy must be together, she was making tea in a London flat with someone else.
Best Friends Forever (Literally)
If you look at the evidence from the last few years, what you see isn't a hidden romance, but one of the most solid friendships in Hollywood. Daisy has called Paul her "lifetime best friend." That’s a heavy title. She even admitted at the Fastnet Film Festival in 2024 that she "fell in love with Paul—as a friend."
They’ve been through the trenches together. They went from being unknown actors to global superstars overnight while the world was stuck indoors. That kind of shared trauma/success builds a bond that’s often stronger than a romantic fling.
Why the Rumors Never Stop
- The Met Gala Gazes: Every time they attend an event together, photographers catch Paul looking at Daisy with what looks like pure adoration. In 2022, a photo of him watching her on the red carpet went viral. Daisy later laughed it off, explaining that Paul was just her "pal" who was waiting for her to finish her photos so they could walk together.
- The Social Media Teases: Remember the "screensaver gate"? Fans thought they saw Paul on Daisy's phone lock screen in a 2023 Instagram post. It turned out to be a photo of them together, sure, but in a totally platonic context.
- The Glastonbury Hangouts: They are basically permanent fixtures at music festivals together. In 2024 and 2025, they were spotted multiple times, but usually as part of a larger group or—and this is the kicker—on double dates with their actual partners.
Who Are They Actually Dating in 2026?
As of early 2026, both actors are very much "taken," and surprisingly, they’re still with the people they were linked to a couple of years ago.
Paul Mescal is currently in a high-profile relationship with singer Gracie Abrams. After months of rumors in 2024, they finally went "Instagram official" in 2025. Just this week, following the 2026 Golden Globes (where Paul was nominated for Hamnet), they were spotted looking very cozy at a Chateau Marmont after-party. Paul has been notoriously private since his split from Phoebe Bridgers in 2022, telling Rolling Stone that his relationship with Gracie is "deeply precious" and something he wants to protect.
On the other side, Daisy Edgar-Jones is still going strong with photographer Ben Seed (who also goes by the name Pip). They’ve been together since late 2023. They’re the "low-key" couple of the group, often seen wandering through London or hitting up festivals in matching casual outfits.
The "Right Person, Wrong Time" Theory
There is a loud corner of the internet that insists they are the real-life version of "right person, wrong time." The theory goes that because they were both in relationships or dealing with massive fame when they met, they missed their window.
It’s a nice narrative for a screenplay, but it ignores the very real possibility that two people can just be incredibly close friends. In an industry where egos often clash, Daisy has praised Paul for being "grounded" and supportive, especially when she’s been top-billed over him in projects like Twisters.
They even trained for their big blockbusters together. While Paul was getting "huge" for Gladiator II, Daisy was doing running lessons for Twisters. They laughed about it. They supported each other. That’s not a failed romance; that’s a success story in friendship.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that "chemistry equals romance." We’ve been conditioned by Hollywood to think that if two people have that "spark," they belong together.
But Paul and Daisy have proven the opposite. You can have world-class, screen-melting chemistry and still just want to grab a pint and talk about Selling Sunset (which, according to Paul, Daisy tried and failed to get him into).
They have navigated the "shipping" culture with a lot of grace. It could have been awkward. It could have ruined their friendship. Instead, they leaned into it. They know what the fans want, and they don't mind giving them a cute photo here and there, but they’ve kept their boundaries firm.
The Final Verdict on the "Normal People" Duo
So, did Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones date? No. They are just two people who got lucky enough to find a "touchstone" in a chaotic industry.
If you’re looking for a romantic update, look toward Paul and Gracie or Daisy and Ben. But if you’re looking for a masterclass in how to stay best friends with your former co-star despite the entire world screaming at you to get married, Paul and Daisy are your gold standard.
What you can do next:
If you want to see their chemistry in action without the rumors, you should check out the 2024 Fastnet Film Festival interviews. They speak really candidly there about how their bond evolved from "scared actors" on day one to "lifetime best friends" today. It’s much more heartwarming than any tabloid rumor.