Irish acting legend Liam Neeson and Phantom Thread‘s Lesley Manville are set to star in Normal People, directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn (Good Vibrations), based on the script by celebrated Irish playwright Owen McCafferty.
Joan and Tom have been married for many years. There is an ease to their relationship which only comes from spending a life time together and a depth of love which expresses itself through tenderness and humour in equal part. When Joan is unexpectedly diagnosed with breast cancer, the course of her treatment shines a light on their relationship as they are faced with the challenges that lie ahead and the prospect of what might happen if something were to happen to her. Normal People is a story about love, survival and the epic questions life throws at each and every one of us.
Principal photography commences in early July on location in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The film is a Canderblinks Films and Out of Orbit production, produced by the BAFTA award-winner Brian J. Falconer for Out of Orbit, David Holmes for Canderblinks Films and Piers Tempest for Tempo Productions.
CAA, which arranged financing for the film, represents its domestic distribution rights, with Bankside Films handling sales throughout the rest of the world.
It is a joy for us as directors to collaborate with Owen McCafferty, the justly celebrated playwright, on his first screenplay. Normal People takes an extraordinary look at ordinary love. It explores big questions and small moments of human connection with unique wit and warmth and a luminous and unflinching candour. We are thrilled at the prospect of bringing this beautiful, honest and unsentimental story to life with Liam Neeson and Lesley Manville in the starring roles, two of the most remarkable actors working on screen today.
Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn, Directors
Normal People is a project that is very close to all our hearts and working with Lisa, Glenn, Owen and David has been a constant inspiration to me. Bankside Films, Head Gear Films, Northern Ireland Screen and the BFI have been wonderfully supportive throughout and we could not wish for better partners in making this dream project become a reality.
Brian J. Falconer, Producer
It took me one year to talk Owen McCafferty into writing Normal People and it took him two months to deliver his stunning first draft. I’m absolutely delighted to have Liam Neeson and Lesley Manville as our lead actors and my Canderblinks partners Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn directing this beautifully profound love story.
David Holmes, Producer
We are delighted to be working with Brian, David and the team on bringing Owen’s powerfully relevant script to the big screen.
Piers Tempest, Producer
Natascha Wharton for the BFI, Phil Hunt and Compton Ross for Head Gear Films and Stephen Kelliher for Bankside Films will serve as Executive Producers. Head Gear Films, Northern Ireland Screen and the BFI, which is supporting the film with National Lottery funding, are the film’s financiers. Additional finance is provided by Christopher Reynolds, Newcastle upon Tyne based investment vehicle CR67 Limited.
We were immediately captivated by this beautiful love story which is sure to resonate with audiences around the world. We are thrilled to be bringing it to the screen with such a distinguished team both in front of and behind the camera.
Stephen Kelliher – Bankside Films