To celebrate the release of Conversations with Friends, the new series based on the best-selling book by Sally Rooney, we caught up with stars Joe Alwyn and newcomer Alison Oliver to find out all about it.

After the phenomenal success of Normal People in 2020 (the first big television event of the pandemic), it was only a matter of time before another of Rooney’s books made the transition into a show, and Conversations with Friends was seen as the next big one to adapt.

It follows Frances (Oliver), a 21-year-old college student, as she 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. Bobbi and Frances start to spend time with Melissa (Jemima Kirke) and her husband, Nick (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.

Chatting to Alwyn and Oliver recently, both were huge fans of the book and jumped at the chance to be part of the new show. They tell us about auditioning, why Rooney’s writing and characters lure in the best actors, their on-screen relationship and how it affected them as performers, as well as their incredible castmates and co-director Lenny Abrahamson (who worked on Normal People) and why they think the show will resonate with many.

You can watch the full interview below:

Conversations with Friends begins on BBC Three on Sunday, May 15th.