‘Normal People’ goes global in slew of deals

Romantic drama Normal People, from Irish prodco Element Pictures, has been picked up for broadcast around the world, thanks to a slew of deals by international distributor Endeavor Content.

Starzplay is bringing the 12 x 30-minute series to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Benelux, Latin America, and Japan this summer, while it will air on Stan in Australia, CBC Gem in Canada, DR Denmark, Fox Life in Greece, Cyprus and Malta, Siminn in Iceland, RTÉ in Ireland, YLE in Finland, TVNZ in New Zealand, NRK in Norway, Kinopoisk in Russia and CIS and SVT in Sweden.

Based upon the Sally Rooney novel of the same name, the series follows a well-liked boy and an unpopular girl at a school in a small Irish town, who fall for one another – but are determined to keep their new intimacy a secret from their friends.

Adapted by Rooney alongside writers Alice Birch and Mark O’Rowe, the series is executive produced by Ed Guiney (The Favourite, Room, The Lobster, Dublin Murders), Andrew Lowe (The Favourite, Room, The Lobster), Emma Norton (Rosie, A Date for Mad Mary), and Anna Ferguson (No Offense, Prisoners’ Wives) for Element Pictures, alongside Rooney and Lenny Abrahamson.

Guiney and Lowe, the co-founders of Element Pictures, said: “The response from audiences in the UK, Ireland and the US to Normal People has been overwhelmingly positive. We are delighted that audiences around the world will now have the opportunity to see the show for themselves.”

“Normal People is a magical combination of incredible storytelling, talented acting, best in class production and intimate and thoughtful direction. It’s an absolute gem and adored by so many fans around the world,” said Prentiss Fraser, EVP, international television sales, Endeavor Content. “Bringing premium work to the global audience is what Endeavor Content is all about and I’m so thrilled we’ve been able to do just that.”