Normal People TV series: everything we know

Normal People is a book that has galvanized a generation. Sally Rooney's 2018 novel is lauded by Insta-influencers and literatti types alike. It's won awards and prompted snide remarks from the dinosaurs of so-called 'literary fiction'.The archly-observed love story refines romance for millennials, capturing the re-invention and self-scrutiny that comes with growing up, moving away and falling in love.

Now, a TV series is being made and it's moving into the shooting process. Here's everything we know.

What's the story of Normal People?

Normal People follows teenagers Connell and Marianne, who live in the same small Irish town. He's popular but poor; she's awkward but affluent. They are both bright, and something sparks between them. When both Connell and Marianne go to Trinity Dublin university their own identities shift and slip.

Shooting for Normal People has begun

Rooney is adapting the book herself, along with writers Alice Birch (Lady Macbeth) and Mark O'Rowe (The Delinquent Season), into 12 episodes. Being on BBC Three, this could mean the whole series will drop online (like Killing Eve). But a 12-part series is still long, especially from a novel that's only 280 pages.

Lenny Abrahamson (The Little Stranger, Room) and Hettie MacDonald (Howards End) are sharing directorial duties for the series. Filming has begun, and will shoot in Dublin, Sligo and Italy.

Who's in the Normal People cast?

Up-and-coming actors Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones have been cast in Normal People

Daisy Edgar-Jones (Gentleman Jack, Cold Feet) is playing Marianne, and she's also starring in the new BBC adaptation of War of the Worlds later this year. Paul Mescal is making his television debut in Normal People as Connell.

Also starring in the series are: Sean Doyle as Eric, Sarah Greene as Lorraine, Eanna Hardwicke as Rob, and Gwynne McElveen as Caitlin.

What's the Normal People release date?

Details are vague, considering they've only just started shooting. But the Normal People Twitter page says 'sometime in 2020' - plenty of time to read, or reread, the book.