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PRODUCTION / FUNDING Ireland / UK

Lenny Abrahamson and Leanne Welham prepping new drama series Conversations with Friends

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- The 12-episode series follows the recent success of Normal People and is based on Sally Rooney’s 2017 novel of the same name

Lenny Abrahamson and Leanne Welham prepping new drama series Conversations with Friends
Actors Joe Alwyn and Alison Oliver

Directors Lenny Abrahamson (Room [+see also:
film review
trailer
making of
film profile
]
, The Little Stranger [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
) and Leanne Welham (Pili [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
) are now working on Conversations with Friends, a new 12-episode drama series based on another novel by Sally Rooney, following the success of Normal People last year.

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The story, described as “a complex coming-of-age drama and a very modern love story”, and penned by Alice Birch (the TV series Normal People), Mark O’Halloran (Rialto [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Peter Mackie Burns
film profile
]
), Meadhbh McHugh and Susan Soon He Stanton (the TV series Succession), centres on Frances (played by Alison Oliver), a 21-year-old college student who navigates a series of relationships that force her to confront her own vulnerabilities for the first time. Frances is observant, cerebral and sharp. Her ex-girlfriend, now best friend, Bobbi (Sasha Lane), is self-assured, outspoken and compelling. Though they broke up three years ago, Frances and Bobbi are virtually inseparable and perform spoken-word poetry together in Dublin. It’s at one of their shows that they meet Melissa (Jemima Kirke), an older writer, who is fascinated by the pair. Bobbi and Frances start to spend time with Melissa and her husband, Nick (Joe Alwyn), a handsome but reserved actor. While Melissa and Bobbi flirt with each other openly, Nick and Frances embark on an intense, secret affair that is surprising to them both. Soon, the affair begins to test the bond between Frances and Bobbi, forcing Frances to reconsider her sense of self and the friendship she holds so dear.

Principal photography will commence later this year in Dublin, Belfast and other locations yet to be confirmed.

Conversations with Friends is being produced by Jeanie Igoe. Sally Rooney is the executive producer along with Ed Guiney, Emma Norton and Andrew Lowe for Ireland’s Element Pictures, Rose Garnett and Tommy Bulfin for the BBC, and Abrahamson. Catherine Magee will serve as the series producer. US outfit Endeavor Content is currently in charge of its worldwide sales. The series is set to premiere on BBC Three, and then air on BBC One and on Hulu in 2022.

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