Éanna Hardwicke, best known for his role as Rob in Normal People, has expressed his opposition to a sequel of the hit TV series, stating he is “not a fan of rehashing things.”
Speaking at a pre-Oscars party in Los Angeles, the 28-year-old actor shared that he prefers to let the story remain in viewers’ imaginations rather than revisiting it.
“It’s nicer to leave it in people’s imagination, and leave it as it was,” Hardwicke told BBC News at the Oscar Wilde event, which celebrates Irish talent.
Based on Sally Rooney’s novel, Normal People followed the complicated on-and-off relationship between Marianne and Connell, played by Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal.
Released in April 2020, the BBC Three drama became a global sensation, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Hardwicke portrayed Rob, Connell’s high school friend, whose battle with depression ultimately led to his tragic suicide, significantly impacting Connell’s mental health.
Speculation about a sequel reignited last year when Edgar-Jones and Mescal shared an Instagram post that appeared to tease a follow-up.
However, they later clarified that they were actually reuniting to host a charity marathon screening of the series.
Despite his stance against a sequel, Hardwicke admitted he understands why some fans are eager to revisit the characters.
“Of course, part of me is curious. I’d love to see those characters in 15 years,” he said.
However, he emphasized his admiration for Sally Rooney’s writing and his excitement for her future projects rather than revisiting past works.
Although Normal People was a defining moment in his career, Hardwicke revealed that he and his co-stars remain close.
“We all stay in touch, which is nice. It was a really special thing for all of us,” he shared. “Every now and then we meet for a pint and go, ‘God, wasn’t that mad’.”
Beyond Normal People, Hardwicke has taken on darker roles, most notably as real-life murderer Benjamin Field in The Sixth Commandment, a BBC One true crime drama.
The series explores the chilling murders of Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin in Maids Moreton, Buckinghamshire.
Reflecting on the true crime genre, Hardwicke emphasized the responsibility that comes with portraying real-life events.
“There’s a responsibility to telling true stories, to know why you’re doing it, why you’re telling the story, what’s the point,” he said. “When I read that script, it was doing it with scrutiny and care and it didn’t feel at all manipulative.”
While Hardwicke remains proud of his work on Normal People, he is ready to move forward, leaving the beloved series untouched in favor of fresh narratives and compelling new stories.
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