Beloved Limited Series Fans Say 'Made Them Text Their Ex' Premiered 6 Years Ago
Six years ago, we were deep in the throes of the pandemic when the BBC decided we all deserved a bit of emotional upheaval, as a treat.
On April 26th, 2020, BBC Three premiered the first episode of Normal People, a 12 episode limited series adapted from the novel by Irish author Sally Rooney. Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal, the series was green lit in 2019 and would go on to receive universal acclaim. With rave reviews from Variety and NPR, Normal People holds a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 82 out of 100 on Metacritic. Mescal would go onto win Best Lead Actor at the British Academy Television Awards and be nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor at the Primetime Emmy Awards for his role in the series.
What is 'Normal People' about?
Based on the internationally lauded Sally Rooney novel of the same name, Normal Peoplefollows the lives of Marianne Sheridan and Connell Waldron from their time in secondary school to university in 2008 Ireland. Marianne is a shy, affluent, social outcast with few friends whereas Connell is an enigmatic, athletic, popular boy being raised by a single mother. At school, the two pretend not to know each other, but in private their connection and chemistry is undeniable.
Once the two teenagers graduate and go off to Trinity College in Dublin, Marianne and Connell continue to come in and out of each other's lives, almost like they are inextricably drawn together.
Sally Rooney's award-winning story is a brilliant examination on class, first loves, and the complexities of family, mental health, friendship, and connection.
What do fans have to say about 'Normal People?'
Normal People was an instant hit upon premiering in 2020, and fans have held fast to their love of the series. Back in 2020 the reactions were loud and relatable on social media:
#normalpeople summed up in a sentence pic.twitter.com/h8470bESiu
— Josh (@_joshuajohn) April 27, 2020
POV: What the FBI looking through my webcam have seen during the whole series of #NormalPeoplepic.twitter.com/6Xvf3nJrfi
— Ciara Savage (@ciara_savage) April 29, 2020
Now, on the six-year anniversary of the premiere, the sentiments still remain the same from those who've loved and been personally victimized by Normal People.
happy six years of normal people to all those who celebrate pic.twitter.com/2cwSLsb8DN
— best of normal people (@acnormalpeople) April 26, 2026
This series is a rom-com for anxious and depressed people! https://t.co/lyAUlCzdzC
— sylvia (@bedxchem) April 26, 2026
the fact that they dropped this during the pandemic when i already wanted to kms and i'm somehow still here is a testament to the strength of the indomitable human spirit https://t.co/TT4ItfcSou
— zoë rose bryant (@zoerosebryant) April 26, 2026
How to stream 'Normal People'
For anyone looking to rip themselves open emotionally again, you can stream all episodes of Normal People on Hulu and Disney+.
Related: Daisy Edgar-Jones Is Cast in Movie Adaptation of Fan-Favorite 2022 Novel
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This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 9:42 AM.