In modern, rural Ireland, Connell and Marianne, on different ends of the school’s social scene, begin an intense, secret affair.
Marianne and Connell’s affair continues, but the pressures of the outside world start to take their toll.
Connell betrays Marianne by making a cowardly choice. Marianne withdraws from school, causing Connell intense guilt.
Connell finds college lonely; Marianne finds instant popularity. After running into each other they decide to try to be friends.
Connell (Paul Mescal) and Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) start socialising as friends in Dublin. She introduces Connell to her group and one of her friends, Teresa (Lauryn Canny) is interested in him. Marianne is still dating Gareth (Sebastian De Souza), but her interest in the relationship is starting to fade. Marianne eventually finishes things with Gareth and makes a drunken pass at Connell.
Connell and Marianne are together, but when he loses his job and she has an upsetting trip home, they withdraw from each other.
Daisy Edgar-Jones
Marianne
Paul Mescal
Connell
Eliot Salt
Joanna
India Mullen
Peggy
Aislin McGuckin
Denise