Paul Mescal 'teases' next role after posting photo with Hollywood star as fans 'work it out'

Action stations, ladies - the moment has finally come...

That's right - widely-adored Irish heartthrob we all know and love Paul Mescal could be about to take on his first ever rom-com role!

Screaming. Crying. Throwing up.

The acting hunk - known for his roles in brand new drama All of Us Are Strangers and BBC drama Normal People - sent fans wild this weekend, after sharing a celebratory St Patrick's Day snap alongside fellow actor Ayo Edebiri.

While some have interpreted their cosy body language to mean the duo are romantically linked, others believe this could be the 28-year-old star's way of hinting at his next on-screen project.

If you're confused as to how this possibly could be the case, allow me to explain...

Paul's sweet snap alongside Golden Globe Award-winning star of The Bear, Ayo, also 28, was later reposted by bestselling author Emily Henry.

Without explaining why, the novelist - who is behind the likes of chart-topping small-town romance books Happy Place, Book Lovers, and People We Meet On Vacation - shared the image on her Story out of the blue.

Instagram/@emilyhenrywrites

But wait, the plot gets thicker still...

The post was also shared on the personal social media account of Yulin Kuang, a Los Angeles-based independent screenwriter and director.

It turns out, however, in the days prior to Paul and Ayo's adorable St Paddy's snap, writer Emily posted another photo on her Story, which appeared to show a script of the on-screen adaptation of her 2020 romantic hit Beach Read, with Yulin's name written on the front.

Deadline confirmed last year that the two would be collaborating to turn the popular novel into a feature film for 20th Century Studios.

For those unfamiliar with the tear-jerking book, it tells the tale of two authors who are suffering writer's block - a crime-drama writer and a romance writer - who unknowingly retreat to the same lakeside cabin resort in the hope of gaining some new inspiration.

Emily Henry/Random House

January and Gus (I know, SUCH rom-com names!) - who'd previously crossed paths while studying the same creative writing course at college - then opt to swap genres for the summer, not only discovering that they're able to branch out in their work, but finding that they have a underlying connection to one another.

And being that both the author and director of the upcoming movie have shared the snap of Paul and Ayo, fan speculation surrounding the project is rife.

"Paul Mescal & Ayo Edebiri being vocal abt wanting to do a romcom together… Emily Henry having adaptation agreements for her books and just finished the script for Beach Read… Emily Henry reposting Paul & Ayo’s pic to her stories… I HAVE CONNECTED THE DOTS GUYS," one wrote on X.

Another teased: "Paul mescal = gus in emily henry’s beach read."

While a third added: "Ayo edebiri & paul mescal for emily henry’s beach read movie adaptation to be directed by yulin kuang would ACTUALLY save lives (mine)."

Tyla has contacted Paul Mescal and Ayo Edebiri's representatives for comment.