Paul Mescal pictured for the first time as Gladiator II character

Sophie Collins

The Irish actor was caught on camera on the set of the much-anticipated sequel.

Paul Mescal has been seen for the first time in character on the set of Gladiator II.

The Oscar-nominated actor was caught on camera as Lucius Verus, the now grown-up son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and nephew of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).

The Irish actor, best known for his roles in Aftersun and Normal People, was spotted in full armour during a fight scene in East Sussex, according to photos published by MailOnline.

Filming recently resumed in East Sussex for reshoots after the initial production wrapped up in Morocco.

Gladiator 2 star Paul Mescal is seen in character as battered and bloodied Lucius for the FIRST time as reshoots are filmed in rural Sussex ahead of hotly-anticipated release https://t.co/UJpvdhumYe
— Daily Mail Celebrity (@DailyMailCeleb) June 11, 2024

The original Gladiator was released in 2000 and featured Russell Crowe as the character of Maximus and grossed an impressive $465.4 million at the box office.

It also won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.

Set after Maximus’ death, the sequel will follow Lucius, previously played by Spencer Treat Clark, who as a boy idolised Maximus.

Scheduled for release on 22 November of this year, Gladiator 2 boasts a star-studded cast, including Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger and Connie Nielsen, with the latter reprising her role as Lucius’ mother, Lucilla.

Derek Jacobi will also return as the character Gracchus, with additional cast members on the follow-up including May Calamawy, Lior Raz, Peter Mensah, and Matt Lucas.

Barry Keoghan was initially in talks to play Emperor Geta but had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts and was replaced by Hechinger.

In an interview with Esquire UK last August, Mescal spoke of his nerves about the role.

“I can’t tell you how stressed I am talking about that film in particular because it’s definitely the biggest one I’ve done,” he admitted.

“I feel really excited, but it’s difficult to get away from the legacy of the film a bit.

“I think it’s really well written and it pays homage to the first one, but it’s very much something that I think I can step into and make comfortably my own.”