This week, Sally Rooney’s acclaimed novel Normal People began showing on BBC iPlayer in its entirety and on BBC last night, with RTE starting to show the 12-part show from tonight.
The show, directed by Lenny Abrahamson (Room, Frank, What Richard Did) is an adaptation of Rooney’s novel about Marianne and Connell, two contrasting people and the particular relationship that forms while they are in school and how it develops through adulthood. It stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Paul Mescal and Sarah Greene.
Made by Ireland’s Element Pictures, the soundtrack also features a lot of Irish musicians which is always encouraging to see. So as well as the likes of Yazoo, Imogen Heap and Jesus And The Mary Chain, there are features from Irish and NI artists like SOAK, Yenkee, Super Silly, Villagers, Alex Gough, Tebi Rex, Mango x Mathman, Royal Yellow, Mount Alaska, The Sei, Anna Mieke and Delush / Strange Boy.
Have a listen to the playlist from the show.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
