Normal People author reveals what happened to Connell and Marianne AFTER series end
WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS
Last updated 7th Aug 2020
If like us you were left in complete shock and tears and the ending of BBC drama Normal People, then you are probably going to want to read on and hear this.
Although most of our questions about the popular series have been answered by main actors Paul Mescal (Connell Waldron) and Daisy Edgar-Jones (Marianne Sheridan), there's still one fans are holding out for... What happened next between Connell and Marianne?
Well, luckily for fans, Sally Rooney, author of 2018 novel Normal People, which the show is an adaptation of, has actually already written a piece about what happened next for Connell and Marianne, after the budding writer accepted an offer on a course in New York.
The novel Normal People is actually based on a short story called At The Clinic, which was published in The White Review way back in 2016 before Sally even started Normal People.
The short story, which is available to read in full here, starts with Connell driving Marianne to the dentist as the 23-year-old gets her wisdom tooth removed, before quickly moving on to their ever-present sexual chemistry which is so often witnessed in Normal People.
Following a similar pattern, Connell is recently single after splitting from his girlfriend Lauren, and Marianne, who has recently split from her boyfriend Daniel.
The short story also appears to follow the same pattern of both Connell and Marianne being stubborn, and not expressing their feelings that viewers of Normal People often urged for.
A line reads, "Well, don’t worry, Marianne says. I know we’re both single now, but I’m not going to ask you to be my boyfriend."
JUST ASK HIM MARIANNE! 🙈
After writing At The Clinic, Sally admitted she wanted to tell more of the story between the pair, telling New Statesman, "I kept wanting to write about these characters who were in their early twenties and their relationship had this texture to it because of their history.
"Eventually, I thought, what if I just went back and just told their story from the beginning, chronologically."
And after the monumental success of Normal People, it sounds like a series two could potentially be on the cards.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Paul spoke about a potential second season, "If that was the case, then absolutely. I think what's glorious about it is that the book definitely feels final about their lives. They're still existing in the world somewhere.
"I think that's probably a question for Sally and everybody else. But I'll put my hand up and say I'd play Connell until the cows come home," as Daisy agreed, "Same. Yeah, very much so."
Of course, for now, fans who have become obsessed with the show are more than happy to pretend Connell and Marianne lived happily-ever after! ❤️
Take part in our fun Normal People quiz below:
1) Which actress plays the role of lead character Marianne?
2) What is the name of the fictional Irish town Marianne and Connell grow up in?
3) What is Connell’s surname?
4) Which country is Marianne's fancy villa in?
5) What is Connell's mum’s job?
6) What is the name of the University Connell and Marianne both attend in Dublin?
7) What make of car does Connell drive?
8) How old was Marianne when her father died?
9) Which actor plays the role of Connell?
10) What is Marianne’s brother called?
11) What does Connell wear around his neck?
12) Which country does Marianne spend her third year of University?
13) What is the name Marianne’s best friend at University?
14) Who does Connell ask to the end of year dance?
15) Where does Connell accept an offer to go in the final episode?
Check your answers...
1) Daisy Edgar-Jones
2) Carricklea
3) Waldron
4) Italy
5) Cleaner for Marianne's mum
6) Trinity College Dublin
7) Ford
8) 13
9) Paul Mescal
10) Alan
11) A chain necklace
12) Sweden
13) Joanna
14) Rachel
15) New York
You can watch all 12 episodes of Normal People on BBC iPlayer now.