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16th May 2022
10:29am BST
While this show also delves into some intimate, realistic sex scenes, what makes it stand out from being a Normal People clone is that it isn't just about sex, but presenting some bigger questions about modern sexuality.
When JOE asked Abrahamson about how they approached sexuality and LGBTQ+ topics for the new show, he said the following:
"I think that is really important. It was one of the things that Sally has done so brilliantly in her novels. And it was one of the reasons I was attracted to them in the first place. The revelation for me when I was reading her books was both the familiarity - namely being in Dublin, going to college - I had so many of the experiences that are in those novels that I relate to.
"But also the vast gulf that separates my generation from the generation of the characters that she is writing about. The fact that they are not bombarded with all of the negativity around sex, that was absolutely a staple of the culture when I was growing up. It is amazing.
"And I know there will be people who will go 'God, it is so woke, everybody is so open about everything!' but actually, call it what you like, I don't care. It is healthy for me that people are open to each other in whatever way they present themselves and that that expression of your desire doesn't have to be fitted into some sort of narrow category."
When asked about sexuality in the show, Sasha Lane responded:
"I think that [it is all about] exploring your own sexuality in general and having an open mind. I just knew that Bobbi should feel a certain way, which was 'You can love multiple people, you can try it out for yourself, I only care for women, but that doesn't mean you can't be intrigued by this person'. It is all just about exploring and going with your own mood of the day.
"I think that's the beauty of it. Can't knock it til you try it kinda thing. And who are you to judge and who are you to answer how you feel about yourself and how you feel about what you want unless it is right in front of you and you decide you want that."
And when asked if the topic of sexuality came up while making the show, Jemima Kirke said:
"I don't remember there ever being any conversations about anyone being gay or straight. It was just how Melissa and Bobbi are attracted to each other, but [Melissa] is in love with Nick. [The sexuality] wasn't pointed out, and I liked that it wasn't.
"For me, how I want this utopian world of sexuality to be at some point, is where everyone just sleeps with everyone else. It's not labelled, it's just attraction."
You can check out our interviews with all of the cast - Alison Oliver, Sasha Lane, Joe Alwyn and Jemima Kirke - below.
The first two episodes of Conversations With Friends will air on RTE One at 9.35pm on Wednesday, 18 May, and will also be available to watch on the RTE Player.
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