One of the best TV shows of the decade is now available to stream for free in the UK. A ranking of the top shows from the 2020s so far was recently published and among the hit series that ranked high is one that's readily available on BBC iPlayer. Normal People debuted in 2020 and launched the careers of its two leads, Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones. The hit series, based on the novel of the same name by Sally Rooney, was added to the streaming service on July 30.
Normal People follows Connell and Marianne as they navigate school in rural Ireland and university in the years after. The show was praised for its portrayal of mental health and young relationships, and to this day remains a favourite TV show for many. Recently, US entertainment publication IndieWire released its list of the best TV shows of the 2020s so far and Normal People came in fifth. The writers praised the show as a "powerful love story" that "tackles class divisions, past obligations, and evolving memories as its two central partners are drawn to and fro with a fiery passion that, even when they’re apart, can’t be refuted".
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They added: "Directed by Lenny Abrahamson (“Room”) in broad, beautiful shots of the Irish countryside (that serve as elegant contrast for the passionate, informative sex scenes), “Normal People” creates an epic romance from the everyday interactions of a universal experience. It’s achingly normal, and always extraordinary."
Normal People was a smash hit when it was released and today, it has an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 91 per cent. Audience reviews are overwhelmingly positive for this show.
Writing on IMDb, one reviewer commented: "I lost so much sleep when I discovered this heart-warming, heart-wrenching, and heart-breaking masterpiece. It's uncanny how I can relate to such genuine and unexplainable attraction and emotion. Everybody should be so lucky to find a love like this once in a lifetime."
Another said: "One of the most beautiful TV shows I've ever had the pleasure of watching. Incredible chemistry. Incredibly written. beautifully heartbreaking."
Normal People was only ranked below four other TV series on the list of the best shows of the decade so far. Taking the top spot was I May Destroy You, which was created by and stars Michaela Coel (Chewing Gum).
Following that on the list is The Underground Railroad (2021), Reservation Dogs (2021-2023) and The Rehearsal (2023). Other top ten entries include Pachinko (2022-2024), Hacks (2021), Somebody Somewhere (2022-2024), Shogun (2024) and Station 11 (2021).