Normal People: Everything you need to know about the incredible TV show
Watch it immediately!
Last updated 9th Sep 2020
Normal People has totally enthralled seemingly the entire world. After all episodes of the series were dropped on BBC iPlayer in April 2020, UK residents have been totally obsessed with all things Marianne and Connell... Can you blame us?!
With fans up and down the country clamouring for a second season - not to mention the cast of the show, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal - here's everything you need to know about the TV adaptation of Normal People.
What is Normal People about?
Normal People follows the story of Marianne Sheridan and Connell Waldron from their lives as teenagers in a small town in County Sligo, Ireland, through to the end of their university careers.
They both come from very different backgrounds, but there's an unbreakable connection between them. As they work out who they want to be, their relationship fluctuates between strangers and lovers, to friends and then lovers again.
As Marianne finds herself in abusive relationships and Connell struggles with anxiety and depression, the only constant in their lives is each other. If you're interested in relationships and other people's lives, you'll almost definitely be hooked on Normal People. Be warned - you'll almost definitely cry at the ending.
Is Normal People based on a book?
It sure is! The book of the same name was written by Sally Rooney and was released in 2018, winning the 2019 British Book Award for Book of the Year. It was also longlisted for the 2018 Man Booker Prize and the Women's Prize for Fiction. Sally Rooney also wrote the show and was an executive producer.
Where is Normal People set?
Marianne and Connell are both from the fictional town of Carricklea in the real-life Sligo in Ireland, and they also both go to Trinity College Dublin. Marianne also studies in Sweden in one of the episodes, and the pair visit Marianne's family villa in Italy too.
Where was Normal People filmed?
Filmed in May 2019, the crew filmed in Tubbercurry, County Sligo, to portray Carricklea, and took to Streedagh Point along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way for the beach scenes. Marianne's home was filmed at Knockmore House in Enniskerry, County Wicklow, with Connell and Lorraine's house being filmed at a terraced house in Shankill, Dublin.
The university scenes were filmed at the actual Trinity College Dublin, with some real-life students appearing in the background. Marianne's flat in Dublin was on Wellington Road in the Ballsbridge area.
Whilst Marianne's Italian villa was in Trieste in the book, filming actually took place at the villa Il Casale on Tenuta di Verzano in Lazio - which you can stay at through Air Bnb! Once the lockdown restrictions are lifted, of course.
The Swedish scenes were filmed in Luleå, and the crew waited until February 2020 to film there so that there was snow.
Which awards has Normal People won?
At the moment, it hasn't won any - but it's already up for three TV Choice Awards! The show itself is nominated in the Best New Drama category, going up against Gangs Of London, Gentleman Jack and White House Farm.
The two main lead actors, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal, are also nominated for Best Actress and Best Actor respectively. Daisy is up against Brenda Blethyn in Vera, Jodie Comer in Killing Eve and Michelle Keegan in Our Girl, and Paul is in with Martin Clunes in Doc Martin, Stephen McGann in Call The Midwife and David Tennant in Deadwater Fell.
Who is in the cast of Normal People?
Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal lead the cast of Normal People as Marianne and Connell.
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.
Connell's chain in Normal People
Although it doesn't count as a cast member in its own right, Connell's chain has taken on a life of its own after the airing of Normal People - even gaining its own fan account on Instagram!
Actor Paul Mescal has now donated the chain to a charity raffle, raising money for suicide prevention charity Pieta. "I am delighted to be able to help out Pieta by raffling off my chain that has taken on a following of its own since Normal People hit television screens," Paul said.
Can I listen to the Normal People soundtrack?
You sure can - the official soundtrack can be found on Spotify. However, if you're looking for that beautiful cover of Joy Division's 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', you can listen to it below.
'Love Will Tear Us Apart' - Nerina Pallot
Is there going to be a second season of Normal People?
Although the events of the TV series followed what happened in the novel, that doesn't mean to say there won't be a second season of Normal People. Read all the evidence for Normal People series two right here.
Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal reprised their roles as Connell and Marianne for a charity special in June 2020 - which you can watch on YouTube!
How many episodes of Normal People are there?
There are 12 episodes of Normal People in total.
How can I watch Normal People?
Normal People is currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
READ MORE: Take our quiz on Normal People