Coming full circle? When Conversations With Friends premiered via Hulu on Sunday, May 15, fans wondered if fan-favorite Normal People characters Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Connell (Paul Mescal) would make a special appearance in the series. However, the duo did not. This curiosity stemmed from the immense popularity of Normal People, which captivated viewers with its poignant portrayal of love and relationships. Adapted from Sally Rooney's novel, the series set a high bar, making the anticipation for Conversations With Friends all the more thrilling.
Both Hulu shows were adapted from books of the same name by author Sally Rooney. Normal People, which followed Marianne and Connell’s love story from their formative years to adulthood, premiered in April 2020. Conversations With Friends followed the story of a college student named Frances (Alison Oliver), who starts a torrid affair with actor Nick Conway (Joe Alwyn) while grappling with her lingering feelings for best friend Bobbi (Sasha Lane).
As the premiere approached, speculation about potential cameos from Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal was rife among fans. This speculation was fueled by the subtle references to Marianne in the novel, where Frances and Bobbi discuss her recent trip to Brooklyn. Although the connection was never confirmed, many fans viewed it as a delightful Easter egg, although it ultimately did not make it into the adaptation.
Ahead of the Conversations With Friends premiere, newcomer Alison — who attended The Lir Academy in Dublin with Normal People‘s Paul — spoke with Us Weekly about the “pressure” she felt following up such a successful series. She acknowledged the challenges of living up to the expectations set by fans but emphasized the importance of focusing on the unique story being told through her character's perspective.
“I think there’s pressure doing anything really. There’s so much to do in a job, and I feel so lucky to have a job in general, but this one in particular,” she explained. “It’s obviously such a beloved book, as is Normal People. But I think you can feel those things in the beginning. But once you start to rehearse and start shooting, you just get so wrapped up in our story, which is a different story to Normal People, and different characters. That I think once you kind of separate that and just kind of immerse yourself in the story that you were telling, it’s actually quite difficult to compare them as such.”
While the two shows are vastly different in narrative, Alison highlighted that Conversations With Friends director, Lenny Abrahamson, referred to their series as “Normal People’s cousin.” This playful connection between the two adaptations illustrates the shared thematic elements and the immersive worlds crafted by Rooney. Ultimately, Alison expressed her gratitude for being part of this extended universe of Sally Rooney's brilliant storytelling.
Conversations With Friends is now streaming on Hulu, inviting audiences to explore new layers of human connection and emotional complexity.
