MX23RW : Saturday, November 23 23:17:26| >> :600:143426666:143426666:

Paul Mescal defends "truthful representation of sex" in Normal People

Normal People star Paul Mescal defends the level of nudity and sex in the new teen drama.

Normal People star Paul Mescal has brushed off criticism of the nudity and sex scenes in the new teen drama.

In the show - set on Ireland's West coast - Mescal plays Connell, a 17-year-old boy who begins a relationship with a girl called Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones).

The series is based on Sally Rooney's popular book and has received almost universal acclaim since its release on iPlayer and Hulu last week.

In Ireland, the show was the subject of a debate on radio programme Liveline, which saw several listeners call in to blast it for "pornographic" and "immoral" sex scenes between the two main characters.

"I actually listened in yesterday," Mescal - 24 in real life - told The Late Late Show. "I suppose I was a bit surprised, but the last thing I want to do is sit and judge people for that, because they're entitled to their opinion.

"My own perspective of it is we worked hard to make it feel like it was a real, accurate and truthful representation of sex amongst young people.

"It's something I'm incredibly proud of and incredibly proud to see on Irish screens, personally."

All 12 episodes of Normal People are available to stream now on iPlayer, while two episodes per week are being screened in a prime Monday 9pm slot on BBC One.

ID:398334: cacheID:398334:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2106:

Follow us on X/Twitter and like us on Facebook for the latest entertainment news alerts.

Media Mole Black Friday Offer: Get Sky Entertainment, Sky Stream & Netflix for just £19 a month + £0 upfront fee for 24 months!
Prices may change during this period. Ends December 3, 2024

Restore Data
Share this article now:
Holly Willoughboozy, Keith Lemon and Mel B on Celebrity Juice
Read Next:
Holly Willoughby confirms Celebrity Juice exit
>
rhs 2.0
New TV Picks header

Saturday, November 23


Strictly Come Dancing: BBC One, 7.05pm
The remaining seven couples take on the show's first ever "Sambathon"

Take That at the BBC: BBC Two, 8.25pm
A selection of the group's finest performances at the Beeb over the last few decades

Legends of Comedy with Lenny Henry: Channel 4, 8.25pm
This week, Sir Len is joined by Sally Phillips to look back on her career, including shows such as Miranda, I'm Alan Partridge and Smack The Pony