Here's where you've seen the cast of Normal People before

Still obsessed with this show

Author: Emma DoddsPublished 30th Jul 2025

TV series Normal People totally captured the hearts of viewers up and down the country when it first aired on BBC One back in 2020. Fans following the story of Connell and Marianne were left totally bereft by the ending, with many still calling out for a second instalment five years later!

The show has a hugely talented cast, and you might know their faces from somewhere... Find out where you've seen the cast of Normal People before right here.

Normal People cast: Here's where you've seen them before

Daisy Edgar-Jones as Marianne Sheridan

Daisy portrays Marianne Sheridan in Normal People. Privileged but lonely, Connell was Marianne's only friend in high school- however, he was embarrassed about their connection and so she was totally alone throughout her time in school. Connell's embarrassment affected Marianne throughout her young adult years, but thankfully the couple were able to put it behind them and find each other once again.

Daisy is actually from Islington in London, despite her incredible accent, but her mother Wendy is Northern-Irish - so she has some experience in that area! Daisy appeared in the 2016 Outnumbered Christmas Special, and at 17 starred alongside James Nesbitt in Cold Feet for four years. She had a role in Silent Witness in 2018, and starred in Gentleman Jack alongside Suranne Jones in 2019. Daisy also started out in a Fox adaptation of War of the Worlds in 2019, with a second series on the way.

Since Normal People, Daisy has appeared in TV show Under the Banner of Heaven, as well as movies Where the Crawdads Sing, Twisters and On Swift Horses. She's also appeared in a number of stage shows.

Paul Mescal as Connell Waldron

Paul stars as Connell Waldron opposite Daisy. Coming from a rather less moneyed background than Marianne, Connell is well-liked at school and is embarrassed of being associated with Marianne - who is not. Thankfully, they're able to put their differences aside to focus on the incredible, intense relationship they share.

Paul is from Maynooth in County Kildare. Best known in Ireland as the face of Denny sausages, Paul played Under 21 football for Kildare, but quit after a jaw injury. Although Normal People was his breakthrough role, he's also performed in plenty of stage shows in Dublin and London, such as The Great Gatsby, The Red Shoes and A Midsummer Night's Dream to name but a few.

Since his appearance on Normal People, Paul has taken the world of acting by storm, going on to play the role of Lucius Verus in huge hit movie Gladiator 2.

Sarah Greene as Lorraine Waldron

Sarah Greene stars in Normal People as Lorraine Waldron, Connell's mum who is a cleaner for the Sheridan family and provides some maternal comfort for Marianne, whose mother is cold and unyielding. Lorraine chastises Connell for his treatment of Marianne in school and encourages their relationship in later years.

Cork-born Sarah is best known for her role on 2019's Dublin Murders as Cassie Maddox, and has also starred in series Ransom and Rebellion, as well as a recurring role in Penny Dreadful as Hecate Poole. Her film credits include Rosie, Black 47, Dublin Oldschool and Noble, among other things.

Aislín McGuckin as Denise Sheridan

Aislín McGuckin portrays Marianne's mother Denise Sheridan. Denise lost her husband years before we meet the characters in the show, and is shown to be totally cold and unaffectionate towards Marianne. We later learn that Marianne's brother Alan is controlling and abusive towards his sister and mother, and Denise is trapped by him.

Aislín is from Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, and is possibly best known for her role as Dr. Liz Merrick in Heartbeat or Outlander as Letitia MacKenzie. She has also starred in Holby City, New Tricks, The Hollow Crown and The Miniaturist.

Frank Blake as Alan Sheridan

Frank Blake stars as Alan Sheridan in Normal People. Alan is not exactly one of the main characters, but his behaviour towards his sister Marianne and their mother casts a shadow over Marianne's life that she's never quite able to escape. Although he starts off simply being rude and arrogant towards her, we later see him physically assault her, leading Connell to step in and threaten him.

Frank's biggest gig to date has been Normal People, but he also had a small part as a Northern Sentry in Game of Thrones, as well as playing Constable Pip Bircher in the 2017 series The Frankenstein Chronicles alongside Sean Bean. He also had a role in film Cherry alongside Tom Holland and Normal People co-star Finn O'Shea.

India Mullen as Peggy

India Mullen plays Marianne's good friend Peggy, whom she meets whilst at college in Dublin. Peggy is shown to be very confident, gregarious and outspoken - but not hugely supportive.

As well as Normal People, India has also starred in TV series Into The Badlands alongside Nick Frost, the 2017 TV adaptation of Little Women with Maya Hawke, Vikings and Red Rock as Katie Kiely.

Eliot Salt as Joanna

Thankfully, Marianne was able to get emotional support from her friend Joanna, played by Eliot Salt - the pair even joked that they were like an old married couple in the penultimate episode.

Eliot is best known for her role in David Schwimmer's series Intelligence, and also starred in 2019 series GameFace and Fate: The Winx Saga as Terra.

Desmond Eastwood as Niall

Although Connell is popular with almost every group of people he comes into contact with, he admits struggling to make any real connections. Thankfully, he finds an instant friend in housemate Niall, played by Desmond Eastwood. Niall accompanies Connell to Marianne's family villa in Italy, and often gives him some tough love when he needs it.

As well as Normal People, Desmond has starred in Vikings, Thursday's Child, 2020 series Blood and a whole host of short films.

Fionn O'Shea as Jamie

Finn O'Shea portrays the series' sort-of villain, Jamie. After meeting Marianne at college, Jamie is shown to have feelings for her whilst she and Connell are dating. Following the confusion over whether Connell and Marianne had broken up, Marianne and Jamie dated for a while - however, they're shown to have a rather unhappy relationship as Jamie is controlling and sexually aggressive with Marianne.

Finn starred in TV series Roy as Jack and the huge 2018 ITV drama Innocent. He also had a role in Hang Ups, and has several upcoming projects including Cherry with Tom Holland and Netflix film The Letter for the King with Omid Djalili and Killing Eve's Kim Bodnia.

Normal People is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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