YOU MIGHT have heard of Sally Rooney-- she's the author behind two of the best Irish books in the past few years: Conversations with Friends and Normal People.
Now the critically acclaimed Normal People has been transformed into a 12-part BBC series, with author Rooney also involved in the writing and creation of each episode.
The show, already much-anticipated by those who had read and loved the book, has exploded in popularity since its debut on BBC on Monday night and RTÉ last night, with the success of the transition from novel to series already being compared to Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale.
Connell’s mum in #Normalpeople is the kind of parent I aspire to be when my kids are older, kicking their arses if they treat people poorly, being a shelter when they need to come home,showing them love & acceptance for who they are. Loved the whole tv adaptation @normalpeople pic.twitter.com/fIjU67AXdv
— Laura Hough (@LTheHoff) April 29, 2020
Starring Irish actor Paul Mescal and British actress Daisy Edgar-Jones, Normal People centres around Sligo teenagers Connell and Marianne, and the intense romance that blossoms between them but which remains a secret due to the two being from different backgrounds and moving in completely different social circles.
The show, as in the novel, follows the two as they navigate life and the changes that come with it, through college and young adulthood, and offers an intensely authentic glimpse at the lives of young people in Irish county towns.
One more thing about #NormalPeople. In Ireland we consume so much U.K.and American media,and that’s fine they’re great BUT actually feeling culturally represented by a show, from the small scale of a SuperValu,to the large scale of the actual debs(!)is wild and we need more of it pic.twitter.com/YfDLcXpOio
— aislinn cody (@AislinnSaysHi) April 27, 2020
Since the spectacular drama aired its debut on BBC on Tuesday night, people have been raving about the incredible acting, thought-provoking characters, gorgeous soundtrack, relatability of the school and college situation, and the remarkable scenes of the Irish countryside-- with much of it being shot on location in County Sligo.
#NormalPeople is utterly beautiful, completely breath taking, vulnerable & honest. I've never watched something that has resonated with me so much. The locations, costume and acting, it was just perfection in a series which I never thought would live up to the book. Incredible. pic.twitter.com/3RwVy4XVUI
— Liadh Connolly (@connolly_liadh) April 29, 2020
The gripping, slow-burning, unique love story will have you hooked from the first episode, with even the awkward small-talk between the pair in the early minutes simmering with deep potential and chemistry, and with 12 episodes at just over 30 minutes each, it's the perfect show to binge watch in quarantine-- the only issue being when it eventually comes to its end.
Dilemma of the day: I can’t stop watching #NormalPeople, but don’t ever want it to end pic.twitter.com/FIDn2xP8XR
— Chloe (@lolasnape) April 29, 2020
The first two episodes of Normal People is available to viewers on RTÉ Player, with another double bill next Tuesday at 10pm.
In the UK, all episodes are available to stream on the BBC iPlayer.
And for those in the United States, Hulu have every episode ready to watch starting from today.
A word of warning however-- this is not one you want to watch with your parents or anyone under the age of 18.
It is a love story after all.
