Normal People: Viewers hail ‘abnormally brilliant’ BBC drama and praise consensual sex scenes

Adaptation of Sally Rooney’s love story stars Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones

Normal People, one of the most highly anticipated BBC dramas of the year, dropped in its entirety on BBC iPlayer at the weekend – and it did not disappoint.

The BBC’s adaptation of Sally Rooney’s best-selling novel stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal as Marianne and Connell, two Irish teenagers from very different backgrounds who fall in love.

Normal People was awarded five stars by The Independent’s critic Ed Cumming, who called Edgar-Jones and Mescal “unassailable” and deemed the adaptation “pitch-perfect”.

All 12 episodes arrived on BBC iPlayer on Sunday (26 April), and many fans have binge-watched the whole series already.

Viewers rushed to Twitter to praise how true the TV adaptation is to the book, the excellent performances and the drama’s depiction of consensual sex.

“Okay the bbc series #NormalPeople captures the atmosphere of the book so damn well i’ve never seen a tv show with this vibe,” wrote one fan. “idk how to use words but it’s somehow just like life ?? a true and beautiful adaptation this brings me so much joy.”

“I can't remember the last time I was so engrossed in a show & I don't give many my time,” said another. “Top quality writing & unbelievably good acting. Everyone should give this series a look.”

Praising the show’s depiction of sex and consent, one viewer said: “Safe, consensual and communicative sex should be included so much more in film and TV.”

Another wrote that Normal People portrays sex “perfectly”.

Normal People has sold almost 500,000 copies in the UK since it was published in 2018. Rooney’s debut novel, Conversations with Friends, is also being adapted by the BBC.