Normal People

If you want a drama that takes its characters as seriously as its plot, Normal People is available in Australia on Stan, and in the US on Hulu right now. The 1-season run is exactly the right length for what it is doing. An 8/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Paul Mescal leads a cast that never overplays its hand. Start it on Stan whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Normal People is worth clearing space for. Character-driven storytelling at its most effective — Normal People earns every emotional beat it goes for. Marianne and Connell weave in and out of each other's lives in this exploration of sex, power and the desire to love and be loved. Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was aired in 2020. The performances in Normal People do a lot of work in the silences between the dialogue. The hit rate here is high enough that skipping ahead never feels like an option.

Viewers drawn to character-driven storytelling will find plenty to sit with in Normal People. Olive Kitteridge is the obvious comparison, but Normal People earns its own place alongside it. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch if your schedule allows. Paul Mescal is the centre of it, and it is one of their strongest performances on record. The patience it asks of you early on is paid back with interest.

Normal People wrapped up in 2020 — and 1 season is available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.