'Masterpiece' BBC series based on 2018 best-selling book is 'triumph in every way'

A 'gut-wrenching' BBC television series that was released in 2020 is still winning hearts today, and if you've not seen it, you should add it to your list immediately. Normal People, based on the best-selling 2018 novel by Irish writer Sally Rooney, has been described as a 'triumph in every way' with 'spot-on' casting.

Starring Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones as Connell and Marianne, the series follows a complicated yet tender love story between the two main characters. They're very different people, and this becomes apparent throughout the series, when heartbreak, miscommunication and distrust all come into play. However, you can't help but root for them throughout, which is part of what makes this series so poignant.

Set amongst the backdrop of County Sligo and Dublin, the immensely popular series takes us through Connell and Marianne's final year of school and their university years, not all of which they spend together.

When they first meet, Connell is a popular Gaelic football player with a huge circle of friends and admirers, whereas Marianne is a lot more shy, reserved and is often alone. They live vastly differnet lives at home too, as well as at school - but a secret romance blossoms between them, kickstarting a beautiful yet tumultuous relationship that spans for many years.

We see some difficult themes dealt with, including suicide, anxiety, abusive relationships and emotional trauma, with Connell being a particularly vulnerable character despite his initial bravado and popularity. All you want is for the two of them to talk through their problems, but as with real life, it's easier said than done.

It's far from your typical romance, but Normal People's raw emotion and spectacular casting is what has made it a true modern classic. The author herself, Sally Rooney, also helped to co-write the scripts - and if you've read the book as well, you'll know that the page-to-screen adaptation worked very well.

Not only does it explore the intimate details of relationship and friendship between an unlikely pair, it also deals with themes of class, privilege and education in Ireland, and how they can affect people on their journey through life into adulthood.

Upon its release, The Guardian described it as a 'truimph in every way', with 'perfect' performances from Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones. Both of these hugely talented actors then went on to star in major Hollywood films, such as Gladiator II, Twisters and Where The Crawdads Sing.

It was also placed at number eight on Screen Rant's list of the best BBC adaptations of all time. Radio Times also hailed the casting as 'spot-on', with the series being full of the 'gut-wrenching stuff of being young and uncertain'.

You can watch all 12 episodes of Normal People for free on BBC iPlayer and Netflix.