Sally Rooney on TV Adaptations: ‘Normal People’ Author Feels TV Is ‘Not Where I Belonged’

 Sally Rooney on TV Adaptations: ‘Normal People’ and ‘Conversations With Friends’ Were a Big Job

Author Sally Rooney reflected on the challenges of adapting her novels “Normal People” and “Conversations With Friends” for television.

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Sally Rooney Fans: No More TV Adaptations for Now

Sorry, Sally Rooney fans, but there won’t be more TV adaptations of her work anytime soon. After the success of “Normal People” and “Conversations With Friends,” Rooney told the New York Times that she has “decided not to accept any offers to option the rights” for her third book, “Beautiful World, Where Are You?” The novel, released in 2021, will remain solely in book form for now. Rooney’s fourth book, “Intermezzo,” is set to be released in September 2024.

"The experience of working on *Normal People* was truly incredible. The team involved was amazing, but it also felt like a huge responsibility," Rooney shared. "When the show aired, the amount of discourse and media attention was overwhelming. I realized that the world of television wasn't where I felt at home. It became clear to me that my true passion lies in writing books, and that's where I want to focus my energy."

“Working on Normal People was an absolutely incredible experience. The team was phenomenal, but it also came with a significant amount of responsibility,” Rooney reflected. “When the show premiered, the overwhelming discourse and media attention made me realize that the television world wasn’t my true calling. It became evident that my real passion lies in writing books, and that’s where I want to dedicate my energy.”