The release of Normal People on the iPlayer has pushed BBC Three to a new record for programme requests in a single week.
The show, which is based on Sally Rooney's novel and set in Sligo, premiered on the BBC's iPlayer on April 26th with all 12 episodes available.
BBC Three programmes received 21.8 million viewings in the week ending May 3rd with Normal People being responsible for 16.2 million of those. The previous record was 10.8 million. One quarter of those requesting the show have watched the entire series.
"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," said BBC Three controller Fiona Campbell.
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.
The show, which stars former Kildare U21 football Paul Mescal as Connell and Daisy Edgar-Jones as Marianne, is also being broadcast weekly on BBC One in the UK, RTÉ in Ireland and on Hulu in the US.
It is directed by Lenny Abrahamson and Hettie McDonald and was adapted for television by Sally Rooney, Alice Birch and Mark O’Rowe.
