Paul Mescal, 28, cuts a low-key figure as he heads out for a stroll – amid claims he’s ‘just friends’ with Natalie Portman after THOSE cosy snaps

Paul Mescal cut a nonchalant figure as he stepped out in London on Saturday after enjoying a night out with Natalie Portman earlier this week.

The Normal People actor, 28, wore a dark blue hoodie and denim jacket as he strolled the streets of London.

He chose to pair dark blue pants with the casual ensemble and further accessorized with a pair of dark shades.

To complete the outfit, Paul wore a pair of black and white striped trainers and a white canvas shopping bag as he listened to music.

It comes after Paul and Natalie were left wagging their tongues as they couldn’t control their giggling during a night of drinking.

The Normal People actor, 28, wore a dark blue hoody and denim jacket as he strolled the streets of London

Paul and Natalie, 42 – for which we interviewed each other Variety last year – appeared cheerfully as they stepped outside for a cigarette.

She was no doubt happy for a fun night out after quietly finalizing her divorce from Benjamin Millepied in March following rumors that he was unfaithful.

However, Natalie’s relationship with Paul is strictly platonic, and the pair have maintained a friendly bond for some time, sources told TMZ on Thursday.

Paul has made no secret of his admiration for Natalie and was clearly delighted to be in her company when they were spotted in Islington.

MailOnline contacted Paul and Natalie’s representatives for comment at the time.

When they interviewed last year, Paul described Natalie as ‘brilliant’ and admitted: ‘If my drama school itself knew I was talking to you I’d be pinching myself a lot!’

He also complimented her performance in May December, in which she shares a steamy sex scene with Younger co-star Charles Melton, 33.

She starred in the film as an actress named Elizabeth who investigated a couple – Gracie (Julianne Moore) and Joe (Charles) – formed when she was 36 and he was 13, leading to a tabloid scandal.

It comes after Paul and Natalie couldn’t control their giggling as they enjoyed a night out at Bar 69 in Islington on Tuesday, although sources say they are just friends.

Meanwhile, Natalie complimented Paul on his sex scenes with Andrew Scott in All of Us Strangers, describing them as “very hot but also very tender.”

Natalie finalized her divorce from Benjamin in France in March, ending a 12-year marriage, her rep confirmed. People.

The former couple have two children – Aleph, 12, and Amalia, seven – and lived together in Benjamin’s native France for several years.

Natalie filed for divorce last July, a month after the French magazine Voici published a bombshell report claiming that Benjamin, 46, had an affair with a famous 25-year-old environmental activist named Camille Étienne.

After the claims about his infidelity became public, a source said People Benjamin had a “short-lived” affair with Camille, but the bickering was “over.”

The insider added, “He knows he made a huge mistake and he’s doing everything he can to get Natalie to forgive him and keep their family together.”

It comes after Natalie finalized her divorce from Benjamin Millepied in France in March, ending a 12-year marriage, her rep confirmed to People (pictured in 2022)

However, the following month Natalie filed for divorce, and the legal process was completed by early March.

The closest she came to publicly discussing her divorce Vanity fair When asked in February how it felt to write about her marriage, she replied, “It’s horrible, and I don’t feel like contributing to it.”

A friend revealed that the collapse of Natalie’s marriage was “really hard on her at first, but her friends rallied behind her and helped her get through the worst of it.”

The source noted, “Her biggest priority is ensuring a smooth transition for her children. She and Ben truly love their children and are equally focused on being the best co-parents they can be. Nothing is more important.’