Normal People could be set for a second season as the BBC begs Sally Rooney for more scripts.
The Sligo-based saga has become a huge hit, seeing record-breaking numbers tune into the racy love story over the past month.
The show, which is an adaptation of the best-selling novel, follows the coming of age tale of Connell and Marianne as they fall in and out of love with one another.
Insiders say BBC chiefs have begun discussions with the Mayo author about bringing back the lovers played by Daisy Edgar-Jones, 21, and 24-year-old Paul Mescal.
A source said: “The BBC are desperate to get going on series two. The viewing numbers are huge and they want more of the same.
“They want to strike while the iron is hot and get working on the series as soon as possible.
“Their hope is to roll out the series in a similar time frame to Killing Eve. But it all depends on if they can get Sally Rooney on board.”
Director Lenny Abrahamson is keen, admitting he would be interested in doing a series that would return to Marianne and Connell 10 years on.
Scriptwriter Alice Birch agreed, adding: “Maybe down the line we’ll come back to Connell and Marianne.”
An astonishing 21.8 million people watched Normal People on iPlayer in the week after it premiered last month.
BBC Three controller Fiona Campbell said: “We’re delighted that Normal People has been such a success and so many people have come to iPlayer to watch it.
“It’s a modern masterpiece which has helped in catapulting the careers of two brilliant young actors and we’re looking forward to bringing more drama to BBC Three in the future.”
