Here's all the evidence so far for a second season of Normal People 💕
Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones have captured our hearts!
Last updated 7th Aug 2020
Viewers up and down the country have been totally enraptured by Normal People and the stars, Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones. After the series was released in its entirety on BBC iPlayer in the UK, fans have been completely hooked on the story and its characters.
If you haven't yet seen it, firstly, what are you waiting for?! Secondly, you'll know that the series is all about Connell and Marianne, beginning as two teenagers at school in Sligo, Ireland, and following their journey through college into adulthood. Here's everything we know so far about a second season of Normal People. 🚨SPOILERS AHEAD!🚨
Is there going to be a second season of Normal People?
Although the ending of Normal People, based on the novel by Sally Rooney, left most fans utterly devastated and in a state of total 'Mariell' withdrawal, we can admit that the ambiguous curtains on their relationship was kind of the perfect way to say goodbye to the characters.
However, the more greedy side of us is desperate to find out if Connell and Marianne got back together after Connell's time in New York - and it sounds like the actors are too!
What has Paul Mescal said about Normal People season two?
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."
What has Daisy Edgar-Jones said about Normal People season two?
Daisy appeared in an episode of The One Show on 18th May 2020, saying that she hoped the two of them remained "settled and happy". She said, "I hope that they remain that level of settled and happy that they get to by the end of the series.
"It's wonderful that Marianne enables him to follow his dream as a writer in New York, so I really hope he sticks at it and carries on doing what he loves. I kind of imagine that she moves in with Lorraine Connell's mum, and they have quite a happy, little life together!"
What have the crew of Normal People said about series two?
Although a second series is quite firmly not on the cards at the moment - mostly due to the fact that the novel on which the show is based has not had a sequel or delved into their futures beyond where the series got to - it might happen in the future.
Director Lenny Abrahamson told Digital Spy, "I have a fantasy of doing a kind of 10-year... You know, seeing where they are in 10 years' time sort of thing. It'd be good."
A second series is not on the team's immediate radar, as they're busy adapting another of author Sally Rooney's books - her debut, Conversations with Friends, but co-producer Ed Guiney also spoke about a potential return to Normal People.
He said, "Not in the short term. We've turned our attention – we're adapting Conversations with Friends as a television series.
"It's the same basic team. Lenny Abrahamson is going to direct it and is across it as an executive producer. And Alice Birch and all of us at Element Pictures. So that's what we'll be turning our attention to next. But maybe down the line we'll come back to Connell and Marianne."
Fingers crossed. 🤞
What else has been said about a second season of Normal People?
In May 2020, a source told the Mirror, "The BBC are desperate to get going on series two. The viewing numbers are huge and they want more of the same."
What would happen in a second season of Normal People?
We do actually know a little about what happened at the end of Normal People, thanks to a short story that author Sally Rooney wrote called At The Clinic - which was actually written before Normal People.
It 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.
Normal People season 2: Who is in the cast?
Although a season two of Normal People hasn't been confirmed yet, here's the cast of Normal People from season one to whet your appetite...
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.
Normal People is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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