What are the Normal People specials about and when can I watch them on the BBC?

Marianne and Connell (and his silver chain) will return with a brand new chapter in their love story 
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Kimberley Bond25 June 2020

It became the nation’s obsession back in April, and now it has been confirmed that Normal People will return to screens for two brand new mini-episodes.

The drama, based on Sally Rooney’s best-selling novel of the same name, detailed the romance between teenagers Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Connell (Paul Mescal) and their various misunderstandings as they navigate university.

It was a record-breaking success for BBC Three, which saw over 26 million streaming requests for the show when it launched and made instant household names of the show’s two leads.

Both Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal are confirmed to be reprising their roles for the specials which will air on Friday June 26 on RTÉ Does Comic Relief in Ireland.

Books similar to Normal People by Sally Rooney - in pictures

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But what will the specials be about? Here’s all you need to know…

What are the Normal People specials about?

Daisy Edgar-Jones in Normal People
BBC/Element Pictures/Hulu

As confirmed by Love Actually director and Comic Relief co-founder Richard Curtis, the two new special shows will observe Marianne and Connell several years after the events of the first series.

Speaking on RTE Radio 1's Sunday with Miriam, he said: “There's a beautiful piece called Normal Older People, which is imagining what would have happened to Marianne and Connell 40 years from now.”

Normal People’s original director Lenny Abrahamson, who crafted the show’s picturesque cinematography, will also be returning to the helm.

The new specials will show and older Marianne and Connell
BBC/Element Pictures/Hulu

The show will also feature a special guest, teased by Curtis.

“I mean I can't even say all about it because there's a guest star in it. But it's really, it's really beautiful,” he said.

“One of the things about Comic Relief is it just gives opportunities for things to happen that would never happen.

Connell and Marianne's love story gripped the nation
BBC/Element Pictures/Hulu

'I can't imagine any context in which they would have allowed this little sort of extra special into the world of Normal People.”

While we are still in the dark about the details for Normal Older People, Curtis has previously revisited classic films with short, comical sequels for Comic Relief, with Red Nose Day Actually and One Red Nose Day and a Wedding recently visiting beloved characters in spoofy spin-offs – so we can expect a similar tone for Normal Older People.

When can I watch the Normal People specials on the BBC?

The Normal People specials will air live on Irish channel RTÉ, which means that viewers in Ireland and Northern Ireland will be able to watch them live.

Unfortunately, those of us in the rest of the UK and around the world will be unable to do so.

The popularity of Normal People, with fans as far reaching as the Kardashian sisters, should hopefully mean that the clips are posted online for everyone else to enjoy too.

Evening Standard has contacted the BBC for comment.

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