Normal People

Marianne and Connell grow up in the same Irish town but live in different social worlds, and their relationship keeps shifting as they move from school to college and beyond. Their bond is messy and intimate, shaped by attraction, miscommunication, power differences and a deep longing to be understood. Scenes move between private moments and public life, showing how career choices, family dynamics and emotional habits push them together and pull them apart. The series keeps its focus tight on two people learning what love, sexuality and vulnerability mean when neither of them fits the other person’s expectations.

Released in 2020, the TV adaptation is based on Sally Rooney's novel. The screen version brought Rooney's story to screens worldwide, featuring Paul Mescal as Connell Waldron and Daisy Edgar-Jones as Marianne Sheridan.

The show collected multiple industry nominations and awards, particularly recognizing the performances and its production values. It helped raise the profiles of its cast and crew and received attention during awards seasons in several countries.

Normal People had a noticeable cultural footprint, sparking conversations about modern romance, consent and emotional labor. Its intimate camera work and frank sex scenes were widely discussed, and Paul Mescal became a breakout star, with viewers and media frequently referencing the series when talking about millennial relationships.

Critics generally rated the series highly and audiences responded strongly, reflected in an average vote of 8.122 out of 10 from over a thousand votes. Reviewers highlighted the chemistry between the leads, the understated direction and the focus on class, communication and vulnerability. It’s the kind of drama that leans on small moments and honest performances to make familiar feelings feel immediate and personal.