A follow-up to 'Normal People'

Young Irish author Sally Rooney's first novel has been commissioned for a follow-up to her first BBC series, before her first TV adaptation has even hit our screens.

Sally Rooney wrote her debut novel 'Conversations with Friends' when she was just 15. Now at the age of 29, the popular book is being turned into a BBC TV series in the hopes of attracting a younger demographic to the UK channel.

Rooney, who grew up in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, released the novel when she was 26. The book follows the lives of four protagonists - two college students, and an older couple - and offers up to readers a tonne of funny and very honest dialogue.

In an interview with The Guardian, she once described 'Conversations with Friends' as "absolute trash" - but that trash has now become a worldwide success with a second TV series on the way. Although the novel was her first book to be published, her second release was actually the first one to get its own TV series.

'Normal People' will be released by the online-only BBC Three service this April, with 'Conversations with Friends' to continue the story in another 12-part series down the line. The Irish author is to remain involved in the second series and will bring back the first series' team of director Lenny Abrahamson and screenwriter Alice Birch. Oscar-nominated Abrahamson previously directed 'Room' and 'Frank', so anticipation is high for Rooney's TV debut.

Piers Wenger of BBC Drama said: "We will commission work from Sally Rooney for as long as she’s writing, because she’s got such an exciting voice and is able to write about young people lives in a direct and authentic way."

Here's the first look at 'Normal People', which stars Daisy Edgar Jones ('War of the Worlds', 'Cold Feet'), and rising Irish actor Paul Mescal (Martin McDonagh's recent Gaiety Theatre production of 'The Lieutenant of Inishmore'). Sarah Greene ('Dublin Murders') also co-stars in the first series, which filmed on location in Sligo and Dublin.

Sally Rooney's first series 'Normal People' arrives online on BBC Three this April.