Normal People viewers shocked by full-frontal nudity from both Connell and Marianne in raunchiest sex scenes yet
NORMAL People viewers have experienced a range of emotions after the show aired full-frontal nudity from both of its stars.
Described as the “horniest show on TV”, tonight’s double episode featured not only the longest ever sex scene on Ireland’s RTE network but shots of its stars completely naked.
Set in Ireland, Normal People is a TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s best-selling novel of the same name, which centres around two Irish teenagers – Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Connell (Paul Mescal) – from different backgrounds who fall in love.
The full series dropped on BBC iPlayer and airs two 30-minute episodes weekly on BBC One on Monday nights.
It has so far been downloaded more than 23million times and a lot of its first season is taken up with sex, kissing or foreplay.
Tonight’s episode saw Marianne and Connell – who first hooked up during high school – reconnect in Dublin after they moved away for university.
Marianne, who is a lot posher than working class Connell, tries to include him in her circle of friends but he has trouble fitting in.
After she gets drunk at a party and says she wants to sleep with him, he refuses but drives her home.
The next morning they eventually sleep together in a long sex scene which ends with Connell lying completely naked in bed.
That scene will make history in Ireland when it airs there next week as the longest sex scene to air on RTE, but the first to show male nudity and viewers reacted in all kinds of way on social media.
One Twitter user wrote: “God, it’s so f***ing sensual, I can’t bear it.”
While another added: “Well, the bishop was right about that full frontal nudity. Nothing that a cold shower and a trip to the confession box wouldn’t solve, though.”
A third said: “#NormalPeople gave me full frontal male nudity and Carly Rae Jepson in the space of five minutes. I don’t deserve it.”
And a fourth commented: “You’d be best to call in Sick on Wednesday after RTE air this weeks episode. Airing on BBC1 now.”
Not to be outdone, Marianne gets her chance to go fully nude as she tries to take a naked selfie for Connell but is overcome with emotion after fighting with her brother who dumps dishwater on her head.
Taking off her bathrobe a crying Marianne is completely naked underneath, revealing natural pubic hair and BBC One viewers also had a lot to say about this scene.
One Twitter user said: “I think that’s the saddest part of Normal People, when she takes the photo.”
And another added: “Marianne is so damaged yet still so fragile. I must protect her at all costs.”
Paul Mescal, who plays Connell in the hit BBC drama, has hit back at those criticising the show’s controversial sex scenes.
The 12-part series has been dubbed the “horniest show on TV” and been praised by many for its representation of sexual consent.
However the raunchy scenes have proved a particularly contentious talking point in Ireland, where the series is set.
Listeners to RTÉ Radio 1 Liveline show likened the scenes to “something you would expect to see in a porno movie” but Paul, 24, said “incredibly proud” of the love scenes.
Speaking on the RTE One’s The Late Late Show, he said: “I actually listened in [to Liveline] yesterday, and 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.”
Set in County Sligo, Ireland, Normal People follows the couple through their highs and lows and touches on the power and vulnerability of first love.
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Daisy and Paul’s performances have won them rave reviews and they’ve become overnight sensations.
Normal People is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer. Weekly double episodes air Mondays on BBC One from 9pm.
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