BBC drama series praised as 'absolute perfection' by fans arrives on Netflix this weekend
One of the most praised and gripping series that took the world by storm a few years ago is making its long awaited debut on Netflix this weekend. Normal People, the BBC drama that has been hailed by fans as a "masterpiece," will officially be available to stream from Sunday, August 3.
Originally released in 2020 on BBC iPlayer, the 12-part series quickly became a cultural phenomenon, drawing both widespread critical acclaim and a passionate fanbase. Now, Netflix audiences will finally have the chance to revisit, or discover for the first time, the emotional and deeply affecting story that captivates the world.
Adapted from Sally Rooney's best-selling novel, Normal People follows the intense and evolving relationship between two Irish teenagers, Connell Waldron and Marianne Sheridan, as they navigate the complexities of love, class and identity from their school days in Sligo to their university years in Dublin.
The series spans more than a decade, following the main characters from their teenage years into adulthood. At the start Connell is the well-liked, quietly intelligent student while Marianne is the wealthy but socially isolated girl whose home Connell's mum cleans.
When their paths cross again at university, the dynamic between them has shifted. Marianne has grown into herself, while Connell struggles to find his place, but despite these changes, the deep connection they share continues.
As their relationship weaves in and out of romantic and platonic territory, the series earned widespread praise for its raw and honest portrayal of themes such as male mental health, sexuality and the emotional complexities of "friends with benefits" relationships.
The show was an instant hit, and boosted the careers of Paul Mescal who plays Connell and Daisy Edgar-Jones who plays Marianne. Mescal went on to star in Gladiator II, and is playing Paul McCartney in the upcoming Beatles biopics, while Daisy has since starred in Where the Crawdads Sing and Twisters.
The duo's chemistry and acting skills earned the show raving reviews with fans calling it a "masterpiece." Following the show's initial success on BBC iPlayer, Normal People received raving reviews and an impressive 91% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Writing on Rotten Tomatoes, one fan of the series described Normal People as "deeply moving" expressing that the series "stayed with them long after watching." As another fan stated: "Real, raw and vulnerable. This highly emotional show had me hooked from the beginning."
While other viewers added that the show is an "Irish masterpiece," and "absolute perfection."
Another viewer praised the actors performance, writing: "Beautifully filmed with a great music score and pulled together by two extraordinary performances by Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones. You felt every moment with the characters and at the end you just want to go back and watch it all over again."
Viewers will be able to watch Normal People on iPlayer from Sunday, August 3, on Netflix.
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