We all loved Normal People, both Sally Rooney‘s book and the TV adaptation, streaming on Stan.
We collectively frothed over Connell and his sexy chain. And, honestly, sometimes the artful sex scenes were a little too much to handle during hard lockdown.
We were drawn into Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal‘s mesmerising performances as two young people, Marianne and Connell, who are inexplicably drawn to each other, both in their small hometown and then at university in Dublin. They grow together and apart, sometimes supporting each other, but at other times letting each other down, especially when they’re unable to communicate their true feelings.
And with the success of Normal People, producers turned to Sally Rooney’s first novel, 2017’s Conversations With Friends. They could adapt that too! And it’s really happening isn’t it, with the news this week that they’ve cast the leads for the 12-part series.
Here’s what we know so far about the Conversations With Friends TV show:
What is Conversations With Friends about?
Conversations With Friends is the story of Dublin uni students and best friends/ex-GFs, Frances and Bobbi, and their strange intoxication with a married couple, journo Melissa and actor Nick. When Frances embarks on an affair with Nick that upends the way she thinks about herself and the world around her, the relationship also stretches her friendship with Bobbi.
Is Conversations With Friends related to Normal People?
No, it’s just the first book written by Sally Rooney. The worlds of Normal People and Conversations With Friends are separate, apart from the fact that most of the action takes place in Dublin.
Sally Rooney’s third novel, Beautiful World, Where Are You, is due out in September. It’s also about four young people living in Ireland, and will also explore the subjects of love, friendship and sex.
Who stars in Conversations With Friends?
Recent Irish acting school grad Alison Oliver has been cast in the lead as Frances in her debut TV role, next to American actress Sasha Lane (sci-fi drama Utopia) as Bobbi.
Joe Alwyn, who you recognise as Taylor Swift‘s bae and a star of The Favourite, has been cast as Nick, next to Girls star Jemima Kirke as Melissa.
Meet the cast of Conversations with Friends. Based on the award-winning debut novel by Sally Rooney, #ConversationswithFriends is coming soon to @hulu and @bbcthree!
– Alison Oliver as “Frances”
– Sasha Lane as “Bobbi”
– Joe Alwyn as “Nick”
– Jemima Kirke as “Melissa” pic.twitter.com/jra2GxmfSz— Conversations with Friends (@ConvosOnHulu) February 17, 2021
Who is behind the Conversations With Friends TV adaptation?
Director Lenny Abrahamson and writer Alice Birch reunite after Normal People to adapt Conversations With Friends. Other writers involved in the project include Mark O’Halloran, Meadhbh McHugh and Susan Soon He Stanton. Leanne Welham is also signed on to direct.
When will Conversations With Friends come out?
Filming is expected to take place in Dublin, Belfast and other TBC international locations this year, ahead of a 2022 release date.
How can I watch Conversations With Friends in Australia?
Like Normal People before it, Conversations With Friends is a Hulu and BBC co-production. That means the 12 half-hour episodes are likely to end up on Stan, like Normal People did. Hopefully they will be similarly fast-tracked to Aussie audiences.
