The release of Normal People has helped drive BBC Three to its best week ever for programme requests on iPlayer, more than doubling the previous record.
According to figures from the BBC, in the seven-day period since the 12-episode show premiered on BBC iPlayer, on Sunday April 26, total requests for BBC Three programmes stands at more than 21.8 million.
The drama, which is set in Ireland, was adapted from Sally Rooney’s novel of the same name.
It stars Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones in the leading roles as Connell and Marianne.
The show has been a hit with audiences and critics alike and has received over 16.2 million requests for the series in its first week of availability, with nearly five million requests from 16-34s.
Among those who have heaped praise on the show is Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee, who declared the character of Niall - played by Belfast actor Desmond Eastwood - to be the "soundest person" in Normal People.
The show's staggering success has seen it make up over 70% of the requests on BBC Three, with many accounts having already watched the whole series.
Fiona Campbell, Controller, BBC Three, said: "We’re delighted that Normal People has been such a success and so many people have come to iPlayer to watch it.
"From the initial read-through, the phenomenal thought and preparation the directors put into everything from the aesthetics and locations through to the costumes, we felt this incredible piece would always be unique, and it's clear the audience thinks so too.
"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."
Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, and Rose Garnett, Director of BBC Films, said: "BBC audiences have been bewitched by the story of Connell and Marianne, just as we were after reading the transcript of Sally’s extraordinary novel.
"Taking Normal People from script to screen has been an incredible experience and we’re overwhelmed by the response.
"Lead writers Sally and Alice, directors Lenny and Hettie, all the team at Element Pictures and of course Daisy and Paul should all be so proud of what has been achieved."
The previous record for BBC Three was 10.8 million total requests in a week, following the release of the first series of the award-winning Killing Eve in 2018.
