Paul Mescal, now a Hollywood heavyweight after roles in Gladiator II, Hamnet, and Aftersun, appears in a lesser-known psychological thriller The Deceived, now streaming on Channel 5. The four-episode mini-series, released in 2020, follows a university student who becomes entangled with her married lecturer, spiraling into tragedy and deceit.
Plot and Setting
Mescal plays Sean McKeogh, a local builder and volunteer firefighter in the fictional Irish village of Knockdara, County Donegal. He serves as a confidant to the protagonist Ophelia, played by Emily Reid, as she uncovers the truth behind a devastating death. Ophelia's affair with her married lecturer Michael Callaghan (Emmett J. Scanlan) leads to a murder case and a dangerous power struggle.
Cast and Reception
Alongside Mescal, the cast includes Emmett J. Scanlan, Eleanor Methven, Catherine Walker, and Ciara Berkeley. The series was written by the same writer behind Derry Girls, offering a distinct but gripping narrative. Reviews on IMDb compare it to Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, with one viewer stating: "This is a spooky thriller with obvious references to Rebecca... I loved it. It had good twists and turns." Another praised the "smart, creepy, sinister series" and Scanlan's "captivating performance." However, some critics noted weaknesses in the script, describing conversations as "awkward and cut way too short."
Streaming Availability
Despite its critical reception, The Deceived flew under the radar due to its pandemic-era release. All four episodes are now available to stream for free on Channel 5, offering fans a chance to see Mescal in one of his early roles before his rise to stardom.
