Coming off from the critical success of Normal People, BBC and Hulu have partnered up again to develop a brand new series adaptation based on another novel by Sally Rooney titled Conversations With Friends. Sasha Lane (Hearts Beat Loud, Loki) and newcomer Alison Oliver have been tapped for the leading roles along with Joe Alwyn (The Favourite) and Jemima Kirke (Girls).
“I feel so excited to be collaborating with four such superb actors to bring Sally’s brilliant novel to the screen,” series director and executive producer Lenny Abrahamson said in a statement (via Variety). “Over the last few months it has been a privilege to work alongside Element Pictures and our extraordinary team of writers to get the scripts to a point where we all feel so excited to start shooting. I’ll be joined by a world class crew (many of whom worked on ‘Normal People’) and supporting cast and I’m particularly happy to have Leanne Welham come on board. I’ve been an admirer of her work for a long time and I have no doubt she will bring great skill and subtlety to the episodes she directs.”
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Based on Sally Rooney’s 2017 debut novel, Conversations With Friends follows Frances (Oliver), a 21-year-old college student, as she navigates a series of relationships that force her to confront her own vulnerabilities for the first time. Frances is observant, cerebral, and sharp. Her ex-girlfriend, now best friend, Bobbi (Lane) is self-assured, outspoken, and compelling. Though they broke up three years ago, Frances and Bobbi are virtually inseparable and perform spoken word poetry together in Dublin.
Pick up a copy of the novel here!
It’s at one of their shows that they meet Melissa (Kirke), an older writer, who is fascinated by the pair. Bobbi and Frances start to spend time with Melissa and her husband, Nick (Alwyn), a handsome but reserved actor. While Melissa and Bobbi flirt with each other openly, Nick and Frances embark on an intense secret affair that is surprising to them both. Soon the affair begins to test the bond between Frances and Bobbi, forcing Frances to reconsider her sense of self, and the friendship she holds so dear.
Conversations With Friends is executive produced by Element Pictures’ Ed Guiney, Emma Norton, and Andrew Lowe along with Rooney and BBC’s Tommy Bulfin. Oscar nominee Lenny Abrahamson will again direct the series and serve as an executive producer with Catherine Magee and Jeanie Igoe set as producers.
The series is expected to debut in 2022.
(Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images & Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic via Getty Images)
