Normal People: The Scripts

Introduction by Lenny Abrahamson
Dramatized by Alice Birch, Mark O'Rowe
Look inside
Delve deeper into the Emmy- and Golden Globe–nominated Hulu series based on Sally Rooney's bestselling novel with this must-have collection of the Normal People scripts, featuring behind-the-scenes photos and an introduction by director Lenny Abrahamson.

“You know, I did used to think that I could read your mind at times.”
In bed you mean.”
Yeah. And afterwards but I dunno maybe that's normal.”
It’s not.”

Connell and Marianne grow up in the same small town in the west of Ireland, but the similarities end there. In school, Connell is popular. Marianne is a loner. But when the two strike up a conversation, something life-changing begins.

With an introduction by director Lenny Abrahamson and featuring iconic images from the show, Normal People: The Scripts contains the complete screenplays of the acclaimed Emmy- and Golden Globe–nominated television drama that The New York Times called an unusually thoughtful and moving depiction of young people’s emotional lives.”

INT. SCHOOL CORRIDORS – Day

Rear view of Marianne walking through school. She is determined. Uniformed teens are milling about the corridors as she passes by without a glance at them.

Eric and Connell talking by the lockers. Marianne walks past them, Connell glances up as she passes.


ERIC
It’s a simple game. You’ve fifteen players, give one of them the ball, get it into the net.

Marianne goes to her locker and looks over at Connell.

CONNELL
Very simple.

ERIC
Isn’t it.

ROB
Brilliant.

The camera pans to Rob leaning on a bench opposite them. Rachel approaches – blonde, pretty. The boys are stood in front of her locker.

ERIC
How’s it going, Rachel? Talking tactics for the game.

ROB
We’re getting a master class.

Rachel seems unimpressed. Marianne furtively looks across.

RACHEL
How incredibly boring of you.

ERIC
Yeah, did you get your hair done?

RACHEL
I did, yeah.

Connell looks at Rachel and smiles at his friend’s attempt to compliment her.


ERIC
It’s very pretty.

Connell smiles.

RACHEL
Thanks. Can I use my locker by any chance?

Marianne walks away. Connell turns his head to follow her.

CONNELL AND ERIC
Yeah.

Rachel persists.

RACHEL
Yeah, I sort of need you to move, Connell.

CONNELL
I’m sorry, excuse me.

Rob mimics his awkward exchange.

ROB
Uh, sorry, excuse me.

Connell brushes it off.

CONNELL
Alright, relax would you.

INT. CLASSROOM – Day

The teacher addresses the class. Marianne stares out the window.

MR KERRIGAN
But you know that’s important because it’s turned up in the exam twice out of the last three years. Marianne . . .

MARIANNE
Yeah?

MR KERRIGAN
Something outside caught your attention?

MARIANNE
I suppose so.

MR KERRIGAN
Eyes forward, okay?

MARIANNE
I wasn’t aware my eye line fell under the jurisdiction of school rules.

MR KERRIGAN
Trying to impress your classmates? They don’t look too impressed to me.

MARIANNE
I’m pretty sure I was just looking out the window.

ERIC
Come on, Sheridan.

MR KERRIGAN
If you’re staring out the window daydreaming then you’re not learning, are you, Marianne?

MARIANNE
Don’t delude yourself. I’ve nothing to learn from you.

MR KERRIGAN
Okay, in that case, Principal’s office.

Mr Kerrigan gestures to Marianne that she should leave the classroom. Marianne closes her books.

MARIANNE
Yeah, I might go there.

She gets up.

MARIANNE
Or I might just head home. It’s not really your business what I do, is it?

She shoulders her bag and leaves. Connell watches after her.

ERIC
Don’t worry, sir, she’s a psycho to everybody.

MR KERRIGAN
Do you want to follow her Byrne?

© Kalpesh Lathigra
SALLY ROONEY is an Irish novelist. She is the author of Conversations with FriendsNormal People and Beautiful World, Where Are You. View titles by Sally Rooney

About

Delve deeper into the Emmy- and Golden Globe–nominated Hulu series based on Sally Rooney's bestselling novel with this must-have collection of the Normal People scripts, featuring behind-the-scenes photos and an introduction by director Lenny Abrahamson.

“You know, I did used to think that I could read your mind at times.”
In bed you mean.”
Yeah. And afterwards but I dunno maybe that's normal.”
It’s not.”

Connell and Marianne grow up in the same small town in the west of Ireland, but the similarities end there. In school, Connell is popular. Marianne is a loner. But when the two strike up a conversation, something life-changing begins.

With an introduction by director Lenny Abrahamson and featuring iconic images from the show, Normal People: The Scripts contains the complete screenplays of the acclaimed Emmy- and Golden Globe–nominated television drama that The New York Times called an unusually thoughtful and moving depiction of young people’s emotional lives.”

Excerpt

INT. SCHOOL CORRIDORS – Day

Rear view of Marianne walking through school. She is determined. Uniformed teens are milling about the corridors as she passes by without a glance at them.

Eric and Connell talking by the lockers. Marianne walks past them, Connell glances up as she passes.


ERIC
It’s a simple game. You’ve fifteen players, give one of them the ball, get it into the net.

Marianne goes to her locker and looks over at Connell.

CONNELL
Very simple.

ERIC
Isn’t it.

ROB
Brilliant.

The camera pans to Rob leaning on a bench opposite them. Rachel approaches – blonde, pretty. The boys are stood in front of her locker.

ERIC
How’s it going, Rachel? Talking tactics for the game.

ROB
We’re getting a master class.

Rachel seems unimpressed. Marianne furtively looks across.

RACHEL
How incredibly boring of you.

ERIC
Yeah, did you get your hair done?

RACHEL
I did, yeah.

Connell looks at Rachel and smiles at his friend’s attempt to compliment her.


ERIC
It’s very pretty.

Connell smiles.

RACHEL
Thanks. Can I use my locker by any chance?

Marianne walks away. Connell turns his head to follow her.

CONNELL AND ERIC
Yeah.

Rachel persists.

RACHEL
Yeah, I sort of need you to move, Connell.

CONNELL
I’m sorry, excuse me.

Rob mimics his awkward exchange.

ROB
Uh, sorry, excuse me.

Connell brushes it off.

CONNELL
Alright, relax would you.

INT. CLASSROOM – Day

The teacher addresses the class. Marianne stares out the window.

MR KERRIGAN
But you know that’s important because it’s turned up in the exam twice out of the last three years. Marianne . . .

MARIANNE
Yeah?

MR KERRIGAN
Something outside caught your attention?

MARIANNE
I suppose so.

MR KERRIGAN
Eyes forward, okay?

MARIANNE
I wasn’t aware my eye line fell under the jurisdiction of school rules.

MR KERRIGAN
Trying to impress your classmates? They don’t look too impressed to me.

MARIANNE
I’m pretty sure I was just looking out the window.

ERIC
Come on, Sheridan.

MR KERRIGAN
If you’re staring out the window daydreaming then you’re not learning, are you, Marianne?

MARIANNE
Don’t delude yourself. I’ve nothing to learn from you.

MR KERRIGAN
Okay, in that case, Principal’s office.

Mr Kerrigan gestures to Marianne that she should leave the classroom. Marianne closes her books.

MARIANNE
Yeah, I might go there.

She gets up.

MARIANNE
Or I might just head home. It’s not really your business what I do, is it?

She shoulders her bag and leaves. Connell watches after her.

ERIC
Don’t worry, sir, she’s a psycho to everybody.

MR KERRIGAN
Do you want to follow her Byrne?

Author

© Kalpesh Lathigra
SALLY ROONEY is an Irish novelist. She is the author of Conversations with FriendsNormal People and Beautiful World, Where Are You. View titles by Sally Rooney