Paul Mescal, 28, cuts a casual figure as he steps out in London

Paul Mescal cut a casual 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, sported a dark blue hoodie and a denim jacket as he strolled around the streets of London. 

He opted for teaming a pair of dark blue trousers with the casual ensemble and further accessorised with a pair of dark shades. 

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

It comes after Paul and Natalie set tongues wagging as they could not control their giggles during an evening of drinking.

Paul and Natalie, 42 – who interviewed each other for Variety last year – appeared in high spirits as they stepped outside for a cigarette.

She was no doubt pleased to have a fun night out, having quietly finalised her divorce from Benjamin Millepied in March following rumours he was unfaithful.

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

Paul has made no secret of his admiration for Natalie, so he 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 each other last year, Paul described Natalie as ‘brilliant’ and admitted: ‘If my drama school self knew that I would be talking to you, I would pinch myself many, many times!’

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 researching a couple – Gracie (Julianne Moore) and Joe (Charles) – who had formed when she was 36 and he was 13, sparking a tabloid scandal.

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 finalised her divorce from Benjamin in France in March, bringing an end to a marriage of 12 years, her representative confirmed to People.

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

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

After the claims of his infidelity went public, a source told People Benjamin had a ‘short-lived’ fling with Camille, but that the dalliance was ‘over.’ 

The insider added: ‘He knows he made an enormous mistake and he is doing all he can to get Natalie to forgive him and keep their family together.’

However, by the following month, Natalie had filed for divorce, and by early this March the legal proceedings were finalized.

The closest she came to addressing her divorce in public was in Vanity Fair this February when she was asked how it felt to have her marriage written about and replied: ‘It’s terrible, and I have no desire to contribute to it.’ 

A friend revealed the collapse of Natalie’s marriage was ‘was initially really tough for her, but her friends rallied around her and helped get her through the worst of it.’ 

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