Normal People producers on Paul Mescals first audition: Connell was actually cast really quickly – NME

Normal Peoples producers have revealed that they didnt have to think too hard about casting Paul Mescal.

The television adaptation of the beloved novel picked up four Emmy nominations, including one for Mescal for his portrayal of Connell and one for casting director Louise Kiely, who received a nod in Outstanding Casting for a Limited Series, Movie or Special.

Speaking in a BBC Three featurette How We Made Normal People, the shows producer Catherine Magee revealed: Connell was actually cast really quickly. We had heard about this actor Paul Mescal, pretty much as soon as we met him, we were just completely convinced that: Okay, we have Connell!

In order to win the parts of Connell and Marianne (played by Daisy Edgar-Jones), the two actors had to ace countless auditions during an exhausting casting process.

Mescal was confirmed first and then Edgar-Jones after a succesful chemistry tests. Speaking to NME Mescal said:It comes down to the right person coming into the room and the right dynamic being achieved.

At that point, I dont think its a question of talent its about the right fit, and that was very apparent when Daisy walked in.

Daisy Edgar Jones (Marianne) and Paul Mescal (Connell) in Normal People. Credit: Element Pictures/Enda Bowe

This comes after it was revealed thatKilling EveandNormal People are the two most streamed shows on BBC iPlayer so far in 2020.

Both shows were named the top performers, with the formers first episode Slowly Slowly Catchy Monkey watched over 6.95 million times.

They also helped attract a record 570 million programme requests in May 2020 72% higher than in May 2019, according to theBBC.

Every single entry in the top 10 most popular episodes across the BBC iPlayer from January to June 2020 also featured Killing EveandNormal People.

DramasThe Nest,Dracula, The Split, comedy seriesThis Countryand reality showRace Across the World also proved popular across the first six months of 2020.

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Normal People producers on Paul Mescals first audition: Connell was actually cast really quickly - NME

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero