Irish star Paul Mescal arrives back in Sydney with co-star Melissa Barrera

Irish heartthrob Paul Mescal arrived back in Sydney on Thursday, after wrapping filming Carmen in Broken Hill.    

The 25-year-old Normal People star was joined by his Carmen co-star Melissa Barrera and Natalie Portman’s husband, director Benjamin Millepied.

Paul appeared Covid-safe as he donned a black mask during his flight from the rural town located in the far west of New South Wales.

He teamed an all-black ensemble of sports shorts and a T-shirt with white Adidas ankle-length socks and white trainers.

Paul accessorised his look with a big brown carry bag, a grey jacket, black shades and apple headphones.

His Carmen co-star Melissa, 30, trailed behind him on the Sydney Airport tarmac.

The gorgeous brunette wore black skinny jeans, with a stripped red and white tank top.

As she walked towards arrivals, the beauty kept her mask firmly in place and felt a little chilly as she slipped into a black jacket. 

Melissa accessorised her flight outfit with some black combat boots. 

Meanwhile, director Benjamin opted for a comfortable pair of navy track pants and a white Los Angeles branded t-shirt. 

Benjamin added to his look with an Akubra hat, an apple watch and a pair of black Nike trainers. 

The husband of Natalie Portman appeared to have gone shopping as he carried a bag filled with goods from an outback retailer which specialises in whips and leatherware.  

The 43-year-old Black Swan director also carried a yoga mat and his phone.

Since making his way to rural NSW to film the cinematic adaption of the popular Opera, Paul has had fans in an absolute frenzy. 

In January, local Twitter users and mega-fans began documenting their casual sightings of the 25-year-old in New South Wales.

On January 13, one Twitter user tweeted: ‘Hearing reports Paul Mescal has been spotted on Tinder in Sydney. if this is you, DM me!’

While it’s unlikely the actor would be using the dating app, other responses to the Tweet gave a potential insight into Paul’s new ‘normal’ life in Australia.

‘My girlfriend nearly hit him with car in Redfern this morning!!!’ one fan claimed.

Another said they had spotted him doing his groceries, writing: ‘I saw him at my local Woolies, checking all of the eggs to make sure he got “a perfect dozen”.’

‘I saw him at [Tamarama] beach the other day. Reacted as calmly as you would imagine,’ one super-fan joked, adding she grabbed her friend’s arm ‘so hard I nearly removed it from her shoulder’.  

Another user joked ‘there’s like 15 Paul Mescal’s at Coogee Beach everyday’ referring to the large Irish expat community in the area. 

You can watch Normal People on Stan in Australia