The BEST episodes of Normal People season 1

Every episode of Normal People season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Normal People season 1!

Adapted from Sally Rooney's best-selling novel, the series follows Marianne and Connell, from different backgrounds but the same small town in Ireland, as they weave in and out of each other's romantic lives, exploring just how complicated intimacy and young love can be.

Last Updated: 12/11/2024Network: BBC ThreeStatus: Ended
Episode 12
star
7.95
667 votes

#1 - Episode 12

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 4/26/2020

Marianne and Connell are back in Dublin. Connell receives news that he has been offered a place to study in New York.

Directors: Hettie McDonald
Writer: Alice Birch
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 10
star
7.83
653 votes

#2 - Episode 10

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 4/26/2020

Connell receives news that a friend has passed away and struggles with the emotional fallout of their death. Marianne attempts to reassure him over Skype. Through counselling and Marianne’s friendship, Connell begins to see a way forward.

Directors: Hettie McDonald
Writer: Alice Birch
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 5
star
7.79
695 votes

#3 - Episode 5

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/26/2020

Connell and Marianne start socializing as friends in Dublin.

Directors: Lenny Abrahamson
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 11
star
7.79
638 votes

#4 - Episode 11

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 4/26/2020

Marianne has returned to Carricklea for the summer. She and Connell spend their weekends together, even though he is still living in Dublin. After a night out together, they start to discuss their friendship and inevitably their attraction.

Directors: Hettie McDonald
Writer: Mark O'Rowe
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 8
star
7.73
662 votes

#5 - Episode 8

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 4/26/2020

It’s the summer holidays and Connell and Niall arrive at Marianne’s family house in Italy. The obvious chemistry between Connell and Marianne causes friction with Jamie, despite Connell’s evident happiness with his girlfriend Helen.

Directors: Hettie McDonald
Writer: Alice Birch
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 3
star
7.71
750 votes

#6 - Episode 3

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/26/2020

Connell becomes anxious when his friends tease him about Marianne, suspecting they’ve guessed about their relationship. Fueled by anxiety, Connell makes an unexpected decision that hurts Marianne.

Directors: Lenny Abrahamson
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 4
star
7.59
703 votes

#7 - Episode 4

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/26/2020

Months later, Connell arrives at Trinity College. His new classmate Gareth invites Connell to a party and offers to introduce him to someone else he knows from Sligo and so he comes face-to-face with an unexpected guest.

Directors: Lenny Abrahamson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 7
star
7.57
663 votes

#8 - Episode 7

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 4/26/2020

Connell bumps into Marianne back in Sligo. It’s the first time they have seen each other since they broke up. Despite the awkwardness between them, Connell offers to attend Marianne’s father’s anniversary mass the next day and they agree to stay friends.

Directors: Hettie McDonald
Writer: Alice Birch
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 2
star
7.53
806 votes

#9 - Episode 2

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/26/2020

Connell and Marianne’s relationship continues in secret. Meanwhile, Marianne must find a way to explain her unplanned absences to her prying brother.

Directors: Lenny Abrahamson
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 6
star
7.51
651 votes

#10 - Episode 6

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 4/26/2020

Connell and Marianne are back together. Connell has gained confidence in college; giving presentations in class and getting good grades but is reluctant to show Marianne affection in front of her friends. Will they be able to admit that they are together?

Directors: Lenny Abrahamson
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 9
star
7.36
644 votes

#11 - Episode 9

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/26/2020

Marianne is on a student exchange program in Sweden for a year. Her breakup with Jamie has cost her some of her friends, but she is still in touch with Connell. She is in a relationship with Lukas, a photographer who she meets at a college party.

Directors: Hettie McDonald
Writer: Alice Birch
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 1
star
7.35
936 votes

#12 - Episode 1

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/26/2020

In a school in small town west of Ireland, Connell is a well-liked, good looking and an athletic student. Marianne is a proud, intimidating, and unpopular loner. An attraction sparks between them, but they are determined to conceal from their peers.

Directors: Lenny Abrahamson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV