Conversations With Friends is the second Sally Rooney novel to make it to TV screens after the phenomenal success of 2020’s Normal People which made a star out of Paul Mescal and shone a light on GAA shorts and gold chains for the culture.
The show also shone a bright light on Irish musical artists, and the new show is no different.
Produced by Element Pictures, and airing on BBC in the UK, Hulu in the US and RTE in Ireland from tonight, Conversations with Friends is the 12-part series adaptation of the Sally Rooney book that explores the personal and romantic dynamics of student Frances (Alison Oliver), best friend and former girlfriend Bobbi (Sasha Lane) and married couple (Jemima Kirke and Joe Alwyn).
Director Lenny Abrahamson and co-writer Alice Birch are back on board, and there are is an acting appearance also for Irish singer Loah, who also performs a song ‘Song To The Siren’ on screen.
CMAT’s ‘I Don’t Really Care For You’ is used on the shows opening scene, and there are sync features for the likes of Carrie Baxter, Soda Blonde, Adam Garrett, Maria Somerville, AE MAK, Tandem Felix, Biig Piig, Malaki, Shiv, Pillow Queens, Yenkee, Nealo, Sorcha Richardson, 1000Beasts, Gemma Dunleavy, Just Wondering, Le Boom, Maria Kelly, and Wyvern Lingo among others.
International artists like Cassandra Jenkins, James Blake, Girl In Red, Shura, PJ Harvey, Lapsley, Charli XCX, Pink Pantheress, and Phoebe Bridgers wrote the song ‘Sidelines’ especially for the show, keeping that Mescal / Normal People connection alive here.
The show is available to watch on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Wednesday 18 May at 9.35pm tonight. Check out the playlist and trailer.
RTÉ will air the series over six weeks, with two episodes each Wednesday night, from 18 May on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
The 12 part drama commissioned by BBC in partnership with Hulu was made in association with RTÉ and was co-financed by Northern Ireland Screen.
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, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
