One detail of a book adaptation that can make or break a loyal audience's connection with the film version of a character is the casting. "Anyone reading Normal People will have a version of Connell and Marianne in their mind's eye," said Piers Wenger, controller of BBC Drama. Marianne will be played by War of the Worlds actress Daisy Edgar-Jones, while newcomer Paul Mescal will play Connell.
"In casting Paul and Daisy, Lenny has given us a definitive version of these two young, complex characters which will resonate with us all," Wenger said. Personally, we think they've nailed the casting of the two protagonists, and so far, the response on Twitter has been overwhelmingly positive.