Director Lenny Abrahamson responds to Normal People's 'porno movie' comparison
Normal People director Lenny Abrahamson says there has been a "strong positive response" to the sex scenes in the new series depsite Liveline backlash.
Last week on RTÉ Radio One's Liveline listeners called into Joe Duffy to complain about the sex scenes in the new series.
One Irish listener compared it to a "porno movie" while others have been deeming it ‘Fifty Shades of Sligo’.
The debate then sparked more discussion on various social media platforms, causing ‘Liveline’ to trend on Twitter.
Director of the 12-part series, Lenny Abrahamson reacted to the controversy as he virtually guested on Today with Maura and Daithi.
Speaking from his home to studio, he said: "I think we did it very sensitively and I would say it's brilliant radio on Liveline but I wouldn't say that the callers who were upset about it represent too many people in the country now.
"And they are totally entitled to their view but I think most people feel very differently about intimacy and bout the positive aspects of it."
He added: "And generally speaking there has been a very strong positive response to the way sex scenes are shown and the way consent is dealt with.
I think we keep to the truth of it and I think that's very beautiful. I felt we'd arrived when talk to joe was tuning in to our world.
The Oscar-nominated director went on to say that it was important for the team to represent Conall and Marianne’s relationship truthfully and their physical intimacy is a big part of that.
"And it's part of the story and, as you'll see the series go on, it tells you things about the two characters and therefore to do it justice we felt obliged to be truthful to that aspect of it.
