Normal People becomes the BBC's most-streamed series of 2020
We really couldn't get enough of Connell and Marianne!
Last updated 8th Dec 2020
Since the show landed on BBC iPlayer back in April, Normal People has become one of the most talked about series of 2020, from Connell’s chain to Marianne’s summer villa we all couldn’t stop talking about the show.
The TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s beautiful novel was streamed more than 62 million times, making it more popular than other hit shows on the streaming platform, including Killing Eve which was the second most watched programme, being streamed 39,344,000 times.
The series followed the lives of two Irish teenagers from Sligo, Connell and Marianne and followed their relationship till their final year of university. The drama had the world talking about the young couple's on and off relationship.
Following the series' viewing success, the show was nominated for a number of awards at this year’s Emmy’s, including Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series, for Paul Mescal’s performance in the role of Connell.
As a result of viewers up and down the country becoming completely hooked by Marianne and Connell’s love story there have been rumours that a second season of Normal People could be on the way.
Although the ending of the series is based on Sally Rooney’s novel, fans have been left utterly devastated by the ending and are desperate to find out what the future holds for Connell and Marianne.
Paul Mescal, who plays Connell, spoke to Digital Spy about a potential second season, the actor said, “If that was the case, then absolutely,” adding,“I think that’s probably a question for Sally. But I’ll put my hand up and say I’d play Connell until the cows come home.”
A second season has not been firmly confirmed but following the success of show’s streaming figures there is hope this may help us find out what happened with Marianne and Connell next, because let’s be honest we all want answers.
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.
Daisy has been nominated for Best Actress in the 2020 TV Choice Awards for her role as Marianne in Normal People! She's up against Brenda Blethyn for Vera, Jodie Comer in Killing Eve as Villanelle and Michelle Keegan in Our Girl as Georgie Lane.
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, and is a relative newcomer to the acting sphere. Best known in Ireland as the face of Denny sausages, Paul played Under 21 football for Kildare, but quit after a jaw injury. He's set to star as Matt in comedy series Bump, and Normal People is 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.
Paul has been nominated for Best Actor at the TV Choice Awards 2020! His role in Normal People as Connell sees him go up against Martin Clunes in Doc Martin, Stephen McGann in Call The Midwife and David Tennant in Deadwater Fell.
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's also due to have 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.
However, until we hear more about a potential Normal People return we can get excited about another of author Sally Rooney's books, Conversations with Friends, which is currently being developed for TV by the same crew.
Normal People director, Lenny Abrahamson, is also working on the new series. So, at least for now we know we have another bingeworthy show on the way!
Fingers crossed we will see Marianne and Connell return to our screens one day.🤞
If you haven't seen the series yet, what are you waiting for?! All 12 episodes of the limited series are available on BBC iPlayer.
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