Normal People: Hulu’s Best Romantic Drama Series Saved BBC Three

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Hulu has produced many outstanding TV shows in the last twenty years, but its best romantic drama is clear. In April 2020, the streaming service released a highly praised adaptation of Sally Rooney’s popular novel, Normal People.

This excellent miniseries became available on Hulu just three days after it first launched on BBC Three, a streaming service in the UK. BBC Three used to be a traditional TV channel, but it switched to online streaming in 2016 after struggling to attract viewers. However, six years later, the service experienced a huge turnaround, largely because of the success of Normal People.

The TV adaptation of the popular story was incredibly well done, captivating millions of viewers and instantly launching its stars, Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones, to fame. Although Normal People ended on a poignant note, it proved to be a launching pad for the actors’ careers. Even six years later, the series remains just as enjoyable to watch.

Normal People Is Hulu’s Best Romantic Drama

In recent years, Normal People has become a beloved and popular series on Hulu. While it may not have reached the same level of mainstream success in the U.S. as it did in the UK and Ireland, it still deeply resonates with viewers who watch it.

Based on Sally Rooney’s acclaimed novel, Normal People is a touching story about a shy, isolated girl who falls in love with the most popular boy in school. The series, co-written by Rooney with playwrights Alice Birch and Mark O’Rowe, captures the sharp, insightful style that has made Rooney one of today’s best writers.

Normal People isn’t a simple teen romance; it’s a nuanced and realistic look at two young people trying to find their place in the world, all while dealing with complicated emotions for each other. The series is made even better by the incredible acting of Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal.

BBC Three Was Revived As A UK TV Channel Thanks To Normal People

The show was a huge success, breaking viewing records on BBC Three in the UK and RTÉ’s streaming service in Ireland, largely because it stayed very true to the original story. It gained an impressive 16.2 million views on BBC Three in its first week.

The show led to the platform’s most successful week ever, more than doubling its previous record. Its popularity was unlike anything BBC Three had ever seen, whether on streaming or traditional TV. In fact, it was a major reason BBC Three was brought back as a regular TV channel (according to RTÉ).

The channel returned to UK television in February 2022, not long after Normal People became its most-watched show – a record it still holds. By the end of 2020, Normal People had been streamed on BBC’s online platforms an incredible 62.7 million times.

Paul Mescal’s Normal People Role Made Him A Major Star Overnight

While Sally Rooney gained significant recognition from the success of Normal People, actor Paul Mescal has truly become a star. Although the Hulu series remains a career highlight, he’s now leading roles in major films like Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, and has also earned praise for his performances in Aftersun and Hamnet.

The television series Normal People marked the beginning of Irish actor Paul Mescal’s acting career. The show quickly became popular with audiences worldwide, and this success brought him to the attention of major Hollywood directors and producers. Both Scott, and director Sam Mendes, along with Sony Pictures Entertainment, believed Mescal was ideal to play Paul McCartney in their upcoming four-part film series about The Beatles.

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2026-03-28 23:18