Normal People

2020 marked the breakthrough of Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal in Hulu’s adaptation of Sally Rooney’s bestselling novel “Normal People.” Since then, they’ve both gained significant recognition, with Edgar-Jones continuing her success in other book-to-screen adaptations. During a recent interview about her upcoming film on the 2025 movie schedule, based on the novel “On Swift Horses,” I couldn’t help but ask how the acclaimed Hulu series influences her work on other adaptations.

After watching the screen adaptation of Shannon Pufahl’s novel “On Swift Horses,” I found myself reflecting on other projects by Edgar-Jones that were derived from books. From the successful box office and streaming hit “Where the Crawdads Sing” to the highly acclaimed 2020 true crime series, “Under the Banner of Heaven,” her body of work is truly impressive. However, my mind kept wandering back to “Normal People.” Therefore, I inquired if that show had influenced how she approaches adaptations nowadays, and she replied affirmatively.

Ever since they’ve been involved in book adaptations, I must admit, it has significantly influenced my perspective on how I approach such projects. For instance, when diving into Normal People, which was so culturally relevant at the time, I found myself feeling a tremendous sense of responsibility to get it just right.

Indeed, they hit the mark with their creation, and to this very moment, people continue to enjoy streaming “Normal People” via their Hulu subscriptions, while the book remains a popular read. Given these circumstances, it is understandable that she experienced some pressure. Yet, what they produced was nothing short of beautiful – perfectly capturing the essence of Marianne and Connell’s love story.

That is the lesson the Twisters actress took with her, too, as she told me:

Instead, let me express it this way: From my perspective, the lesson I derived from that piece was about mirroring its unique tone and your emotions as a reader. Now, I find myself feeling much more liberated because of it.

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It’s evident that she executed it flawlessly in “Normal People”, as people like myself are still discussing it and finding it emotionally impactful. This production is highly cherished, as evidenced by the queries about a possible Season 2 directed towards Edgar-Jones, and Paul Mescal being asked about reprising his role as Connell, demonstrating the deep affection that audiences have for this adaptation.

Currently, Daisy Edgar-Jones has masterfully portrayed characters born from books, and she’s done it once more with her latest film, “On Swift Horses.” In discussing how her work on this historical fiction was influenced by her role in “Normal People,” the actress explained:

Reading this book, I was struck by its beauty. My anticipation grew as I contemplated how to immerse myself in it, let go, and attempt to convey its tone accurately. To me, it’s all about matching the filmmaker with the material; a task that director Daniel Minahan excels at, having grasped those characters and the narrative so profoundly.

Just as Normal People delves deeply into the emotional journeys of individuals maturing, On Swift Horses shares similar depth but is set post-Korean War instead of contemporary times. The narrative encompasses themes such as sexuality, gambling, fate, and love, painting a beautiful and expansive picture.

In summary, I believe this film showcases yet another remarkable performance by Daisy Edgar-Jones. Her adaptations appear to be something she excels at, as she has mentioned.

I seem to always be doing book adaptations.

Should you wish to observe these adaptations firsthand, you can acquire the books that serve as their foundation from any bookstore where novels are sold. To watch the projects unfold, “Normal People” is currently streaming on Hulu, while “On Swift Horses” is playing in cinemas at this moment.

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2025-04-25 22:38