
BBC drama hailed 'phenomenal' lands on Netflix with impressive critic reviews
A popular BBC drama which has been hailed by viewers as being "phenomenal" is now available to watch on Netfllix. The Ireland-based drama, Normal People, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal, can now be binged on the streaming giant.
The series, based on Sally Rooney's 2018 novel of the same name, tells the turbulent love tale of Marianne Sheridan (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Connell Waldron (Paul Mescal). It showcases the raw emotion of their relationship throughout the early stages of adulthood.
It first aired back in 2020 on BBC Three, and became a huge hit with fans. It has now seen major success after moving platforms onto Netflix, currently sitting at fifth spot in Netflix 's top 10.
If you've not seen it yet, all 12 episodes of the romantic drama are now available to binge-watch on Netflix. Not subscribed? Luckily it's also still available on BBC iPlayer, and for those that have Disney+ you can tune in there too.
Normal People, directed by Hettie Macdonald and Academy Award nominee Lenny Abrahamson, was widely acclaimed upon release and bagged four nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards.
It also has an impressive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, at 91%. One critic wrote: "The 12-episode limited series powerfully captures the angst and intensity of young love as the pair each navigates their respective struggles with friendships, trauma, and mental health."
"Expectations might be high, but no one needs to worry. If this really is the only BBC drama we get this year, at least it's a good one," echoed another online critic.
Meanwhile fans also had high praises for the show. Rating five stars one person said: "Deeply moving. Lives long in the memory after watching."
Praising the leading actors, another fan added: "Daisy Edgar Jones and Paul Mescal are mesmerizing in this slow paced story. Their vulnerability is painful and beautiful to watch. There Chemistry is everything and this would have failed without them."
This was echoed by someone else, who quipped: "Absolute perfection. Beautifully filmed with a great music score and pulled together by two extraordinary performances by Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones. You felt every moment with the characters and at the end you just want to go back and watch it all over again."
"Real, raw and vulnerable. This highly emotional show had me hooked from the beginning," voiced another. However, not everyone was hooked on the series.
One negative review stated: "Likable leads but the story goes from over the top love to unrealistic breakups and back again. I had enough of it by episode 7."
While the romantic drama moved both critics and viewers, there has been speculation that a follow-up could be made, with both Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal teasing fans last year that a sequel could come in the near future, stay tuned!
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Record
2 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Meghan Markle shares first look at new Netflix show with huge stars
Meghan Markle has shared a first look at the second series of her Netflix show With Love, Meghan. The first-look trailer for the second series of Meghan Markle's lifestyle programme With Love, Meghan has been released - and it's due to broadcast in just days. The preview reveals Meghan accompanied by various celebrity guests for the programme's second run, which faced harsh criticism from reviewers previously. Posting the teaser on Instagram, the Duchess of Sussex wrote alongside the trailer: "The best moments are made to be shared. With Love, Meghan returns August 26th on @netflix." In the brief clip, Queer Eye favourite Tan France and Chrissy Teigen feature as visitors to Meghan's home. The footage displayed Meghan preparing meals and baking alongside her famous pals, reports the Mirror. "I love the idea of just spending time together... and finding new ways to show people you care. There are easy ways to show up, lovingly." The trailer emerges just hours after news broke that Meghan alongside spouse Prince Harry have secured a fresh "multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects" with Netflix. With Love, Meghan's debut series launched in March but struggled to enter the top 300 most-viewed programmes on the streaming service during the opening half of 2025. Throughout the eight-episode inaugural season, the former Suits star offers entertaining advice and prepares dishes with celebrity companions including The Office favourite Mindy Kaling, to whom Meghan mentions she now uses the surname Sussex. Harry made a solitary appearance in the final episode of the first season, joining Meghan, her mother Doria Ragland and friends for an outdoor celebration. The release of the new trailer coincides with Harry and Meghan's extended TV and film deal, which gives Netflix first refusal on their upcoming projects, a move described by the Sussexes as "extending their creative partnership". Five years ago, the couple secured a lucrative contract, believed to be worth more than 100 million dollars (£74 million), with Netflix after stepping down as senior working royals in 2020. However, this new extension is seen as a downgrade from their previous exclusive rights deal and is thought to be worth significantly less. Meghan, who has a partnership with Netflix for her As Ever brand, stated: "We're proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As Ever brand. My husband and I feel inspired by our partners who work closely with us and our Archewell Productions team to create thoughtful content across genres that resonates globally, and celebrates our shared vision." Bela Bajaria, Netflix's Chief Content Officer, added: "Harry and Meghan are influential voices whose stories resonate with audiences everywhere. The response to their work speaks for itself - Harry and Meghan gave viewers an intimate look into their lives and quickly became one of our most-watched documentary series. "More recently, fans have been inspired by With Love, Meghan, with products from the new As Ever line consistently selling out in record time. We're excited to continue our partnership with Archewell Productions and to entertain our members together." In other news, it's understood that both Meghan and Harry will feature in a forthcoming short documentary film, Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within, on which they serve as executive producers. The film aims to shed light on the lives of orphaned children in Uganda's Masaka region, where the "shadows of the HIV/Aids crisis linger". Netflix shared: "Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within goes beyond the viral videos to reveal a vibrant, one-of-a-kind community where orphaned children transform hardship into joy, dancing their way toward healing, belonging and the promise of a brighter future." This follows Harry's decision to step down from Sentebale, the charity he established to assist children orphaned by Aids in Lesotho, after a boardroom dispute with the chairwoman. The Duke, who is contemplating launching a new humanitarian charity, has pledged to maintain his support for young people in the area. Furthermore, there is also "active development" on additional projects with Netflix which "span a variety of content genres", including a feature adaptation of the bestselling romantic novel by Carley Fortune, Meet Me At The Lake.


Scottish Sun
2 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Hollywood star to host new ITV game show which is already a smash hit around the globe
EX-QUIZ-ITE NEWS Hollywood star to host new ITV game show which is already a smash hit around the globe A GLOBAL quiz phenomenon is coming to ITV on Saturday nights — and chances are, if you've been abroad lately, you have already heard of it. Like The Traitors or Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, The Floor is a blockbuster format that's conquered TV markets around the world, including the US, where it's fronted by movie star Rob Lowe. Advertisement 6 The US version of The Floor is currently fronted by movie star Rob Lowe Credit: Dan Smith/FOX Now it's heading for its 25th territory, the UK. The show will land here next year, though ITV bosses are yet to reveal which famous face will be taking the helm in our version. Katie Rawcliffe, ITV's director of entertainment, said: 'The Floor, with its compelling gameplay, is an excellent addition to our roster of existing popular quiz shows across ITV and ITVX.' Originally a Dutch show, it features 81 quiz fanatics facing off in duels on a giant LED floor divided into 81 squares, each representing its own field of knowledge. Advertisement The goal is to conquer the entire floor and take home a huge cash prize, with each duel upping the stakes and the tension. The Floor has already been a big hit in countries including Australia, Poland and Spain and recently launched in Estonia and Latvia. Over in the US, it has already run for three seasons, and hiring such a big Hollywood name to front it was an instant sign of TV bosses' confidence in the format. Now broadcaster Fox has ordered two more seasons, continuing the format through next year and 2027 in America. Advertisement Sounds like they'll soon be flooring Brit quiz fans, too. The Floor fans love Rob Lowe's new game show - but spot 'rigged' detail with key segment PIERCE IN THE CLUB WITH HELEN 6 Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren appeared together on Jimmy Fallon's The Tonight show Credit: Getty PIERCE BROSNAN and Helen Mirren have hit the campaign trail for Netflix's The Thursday Murder Club. The movie adaptation of Richard Osman's crime novel tells the story of a group of pensioners whose hobby of investigating unsolved killings explodes when a real-life murder lands on their patch. Advertisement The book is set in a quiet village in Kent – but if Pierce and Helen's glam appearance on Jimmy Fallon's The Tonight show in the US is anything to go by, their film will be more Hollywood than humdrum. Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie also star, with the movie debuting in cinemas on August 22 before it appears on Netflix on August 28. KATH IS OFF TO A FLYER 6 Katherine Kelly will play the role of a flight attendant for new Channel 4 drama In Flight Credit: Channel 4 / Peter Marley DON'T be surprised if Katherine Kelly's role as a flight attendant for new Channel 4 drama In Flight is ultra convincing. Advertisement The star of the six-parter revealed that a high-flying pal gave her a unique insight. Katherine said: 'I love the homework side of things. I love to step on set fully prepared. 'I have a friend who is senior cabin crew, so I was lucky enough to shadow her for a day.' The drama, which continues tonight at 9pm, follows single mum Jo, who is coerced into smuggling drugs for a dangerous criminal gang in a desperate bid to keep her son safe. Advertisement Katherine added: 'I just hope people are going to enjoy it because that's what the thrill is all about.' TOMMY DAD'S TIP FOR MOL 6 A new documentary is beginning next week about Tommy Fury Credit: BBC TOMMY FURY'S dad John told Molly-Mae Hague to leave his son when the Love Island pair's relationship got rocky. The revelation appears in his new documentary Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury, which begins next week on BBC Three. Advertisement John, who's also the father of champion boxer Tyson Fury, says in the first episode of the much-anticipated series: 'I knew from dealing with Tyson that when the drinking started to come into play, I thought 'Not again'. 'Molly came to me with this stuff, and I said, 'What you're best off doing with him, Molly, is walking away because if he is not gonna change himself, he doesn't think that much of you, does he?'' In the show, fighter Tommy discusses alleged infidelities prior to their brief split last year, but he maintains: 'The reason for our ending the relationship was alcohol.' FAN ALEX IS PITCH PERFECT 6 Funnyman Alex Brooker is set to feature on a new footie quiz Credit: Rex Advertisement ALEX BROOKER is kicking off a new football-themed quiz. The Last Leg funnyman will pit three diehard supporters against a team of sporting legends and celebrity fans to see who comes out on top. With the working title Call Yourself A Fan?, the show aims to echo the spirit of Soccer AM and Fantasy Football League. Gary Neville's Buzz 16 production company is behind the new show, which does not have a broadcaster confirmed yet. Advertisement But execs say it's a 'fast-paced format packed with laughs', with 'fierce competition, tantalising trivia, and a whole lot of nonsense, all held together by a brilliant host and a studio audience.' Sounds like a winner. LADIES SING THE LOOSE 6 Loose Women's Frankie Bridge was in The Saturdays Credit: Rex BEFORE many of ITV's first ladies became Loose Women, they were famed for their singing and dancing. Advertisement For starters, Frankie Bridge was in The Saturdays and – a little further back – Coleen Nolan was world famous with her sisters, selling more than 30million records. Now the daytime show will celebrate the healing power of music for the Loose ladies with a one-off show. Loose Women: The Music will feature special performances and stories shared by the cast about the times music has helped them. The special will be recorded later this month. Advertisement Perhaps they can tempt ex-Loosey Jane McDonald back to sing a tune or two. ITV has announced new shows as part of its Fresh Cuts diversity push. Sketch show Say! Less! stars rising black comedy stars, while in The Blind Matchmakers, a trio of vision-impaired love gurus helping singles find love. The shows, and four others, land on ITVX and YouTube later this year. Advertisement A DATING show will follow single lovebirds at a blood bank while they donate to save lives. Partnering with the NHS, two-parter Love Is In The Blood will launch on Tuesday on Channel 4.0 – the digital-first brand from Channel 4 – hosted by the YouTuber Adeola Patronne.


Scottish Sun
2 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Strictly Come Dancing sign up first drag act for main series – but which male pro will they dance with?
Drag artist Tayce won the Christmas Special last year with Kai Widdrington DANCING QUEEN Strictly Come Dancing sign up first drag act for main series – but which male pro will they dance with? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STRICTLY Come Dancing has signed their first drag artists to compete on the BBC One dance show in the form of La Voix. The entertainer - known off stage as Stockton-on-Tees born Chris Dennis, 45, was one of three names confirmed by the BBC yesterday. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Strictly Come Dancing has signed up drag artist La Voix 3 La Voix, born Chris Dennis, is expected to dance with a tall male pro on the new series as Chris would be almost 6ft in dance shoes La Voix is expected to dance with a male pro on the new series and they are no stranger to our TV screens having previously appeared singing on Britain's Got Talent on ITV and competing on the BBC's RuPaul's Drag Race. A show insider said: 'Producers already trialled having a drag artist on the show in the form of Tayce who actually won the Christmas Special last year with Kai Widdrington. 'La Voix is a bit more of an old-school entertainer who's a little closer to the traditional Strictly audience in terms of style and vibe. 'It's just another example of the Strictly execs constantly pushing at the boundaries and making changes that the show's audiences then have to adapt to.' Any man partnered with La Voix would have to be tall, as Chris is around 5ft 7ins tall in stocking feet and would be almost 6ft in dance shoes. Although this is the first drag artist to appear on the main show in the UK, that's not the case with spin-off shows in other countries. In 2022 the line up on America's Dancing with the Stars included Shangela, real name DJ Pierce, and in 2019 Courtney Act dazzled on the Australian version of the show. Yesterday the BBC also confirmed The Sun's exclusive story that EastEnders story Balvinder Sopal was joining Strictly this year. We revealed last month how she was being lined up to join the show and followed in the footsteps of a long line of actors from Albert Square who competed. 3 La Voix has competed on Britain's Got Talent and RuPaul's Drag Race