Sally Rooney’s first novel Conversations With Friends to be adapted for TV

‘We will commission work from Sally Rooney for as long as she writes it’

Sally Rooney’s first novel Conversations With Friends is set to be adapted for TV by the same creative team who worked on her recent BBC3 hit Normal People.

Speaking to Heart, co-producer of Normal People Ed Guiney was asked if fans could expect a Normal People sequel.

“Not in the short term,” he said. “We’ve turned our attention – we’re adapting Conversations with Friends as a television series.”

Rooney’s first novel follows the complex friendship of Frances and Bobby. The two spoken word performers are discovered by an older woman named Melissa, a journalist who invites them back to her home where she helps them get their name out.

Jealous of Bobby’s increasing closeness with Melissa, Frances starts having an affair with Nick. As they become increasingly involved, her relationship with Bobby spirals out of control.

Guiney added that the new show would feature “the same basic team. Lenny’s [Abrahamson] going to direct it and is across it as an EP [executive producer]. And Alice Birch and all of us at Element [Pictures]. So, in a way, that’s what we’ll be turning our attention to next.

“But maybe down the line we’ll come back to Connell and Marianne.”

Announcing the adaptation in February, BBC exec Piers Wenger said: “It was a decision that made itself. We will commission work from Sally Rooney for as long as she writes it.

“We think she’s such an exciting voice, in the way that she’s able to write about young people’s lives in a really direct and authentic way, is – her work speaks for itself, really.”

When asked about returning for this adaptation, Abrahamson said: “I love Conversations With Friends, its depth, humour and freshness, and it’s an honour to be involved in bringing it to the screen.

“I’m particularly happy that my connection to Sally and her work is set to continue. Making Normal People has been a singular pleasure and I’m excited to be working with the same brilliant team again on Conversations With Friends.”