Conversations With Friends viewers baffled by ‘miscast’ Joe Alwyn after series debut

The casting of Joe Alwyn as Nick Conway in Conversations With Friends left viewers of the BBC adaptation of Sally Rooney’s 2017 book of the same name baffled after it was released on Sunday.

Joe, 31, stars alongside Jemima Kirke, 37, as married couple Nick and Melissa who become involved with a pair of students who were once also an item, with the series picking up on the success of Sally’s 2018 novel Normal People, which was adapted into a ratings smash hit TV series in 2020.

However, after the series was released for streaming by the BBC and on Hulu this weekend, viewers questioned whether Joe was right for the role, with the book’s character being older. 

Referring to a quote from a review by Variety, one person tweeted: ‘This is pretty on point. A point I forgot to make, Nick doesn’t come off as an older man at all so it made that whole storyline not work. 

‘V miscast #ConversationswithFriends. “But he just doesn’t read as old enough to sell how many years are ostensibly between Nick and Frances.”‘

Someone else posted: ’15 mins into #ConversationswithFriends and I’ve got only one question: With all due respect, what were they thinking when they cast Joe Alwyn?’

Screen star: Joe, 31, stars alongside Jemima Kirke, 37, as married couple Nick and Melissa who become involved with a pair of students who were once also an item (Joe pictured with student character Frances (Alison Oliver))

While referring to actor Paul Mescal who played Connell Waldron in Normal People, another viewer wrote: ‘I’m just gonna say it; Joe Alwyn is no Paul Mescal and that’s the first thing that’s wrong with #ConversationswithFriends I’m away to rewatch Normal People.’

Someone else shared: ‘I’m sorry but everyone saying “i get it” it’s like WHAT are you getting??? Because Joe Alwyn is NOT giving what Paul Mescal gaveth.’

Another viewer joked: ‘Me: Can you believe Joe Alwyn went to the same drama school as Andrew Garfield? My friend: He definitely bunked classes.

Opinions: After the series was released for streaming by the BBC and on Hulu this weekend, viewers questioned whether Joe was right for the role, with the book’s character being older

‘Said friend actually read the book and hated the performance of Nick so what do I even say lol #ConversationswithFriends.’

And another audience member shared: ‘I’m sure Joe’s a good actor in his other stuff but I feel like he made Nick so boring. I know he’s reserved and quiet in the book but he’s still soulful and dynamic!!! I just felt his portrayal made him seem so flat #ConversationswithFriends.’

However, not all viewers were unimpressed, with many taking to Twitter to offer contrasting opinions. 

Other side: However, not all viewers were unimpressed, with many taking to Twitter to offer contrasting opinions

‘Joe is playing Nick how he was written in the book,’ wrote one person. ‘Nick was written as awkward, stiff and without a personality and Joe is doing well at portraying that on screen. 

‘No point comparing him to Paul Mescal – different characters! #ConversationswithFriends.’

Someone else shared: ‘Why is everyone hating on Joe’s performance playing Nick from a clip when it’s actually pretty close to how the character was in the book #ConversationswithFriends.’

On screen: The television adaption of Sally Rooney’s 2017 book Conversations With Friends features numerous steamy scenes

While someone else shared: ‘2 episodes in and I love it. The bristling chemistry…excruciating!! I’m absolutely dying of the awkwardness. Joe Alwyn is perfect as Nick. Alison, low key captivating. My new fav. #ConversationswithFriends.’

And someone else posted simply: ‘Joe Alwyn was born to play Nick #ConversationswithFriends.’

The show follows students, Frances (Alison Oliver) and Bobbi (Sasha Lane), as they navigate their unusual attraction to the mysterious and sexy married couple Nick and Melissa. 

The novel and trailer alike are packed full of racy moments which will set viewers hearts thumping and will likely follow in the footsteps of author Sally’s 2020 series Normal People, which wowed viewers with its intimate, realistic sex scenes.

Like author Sally’s 2017 smash book, Conversations With Friends is also set in Trinity College, Dublin.

After Bobbi falls for Melissa, Frances and Nick embark on an elicit affair, with the foursome become more and more entangled with one another.  

Telling the tale: The show, which is on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer from 15 May, follows two young student women, Frances (Alison Oliver, left) and Bobbi (Sasha Lane, right)

Nick ultimately reveals the affair to his wife, who accepts the relationship having had her own affairs, and Nick begins to date Frances openly within the group.

Eventually Frances rekindles her romantic relationship with both Bobbi and Nick, with the four continuing their elicit attraction to one another despite the complexities.  

Unlike the rest of the cast, little is known about the show’s lead role of Frances, who is played by emerging talent Alison.  

Sexy: The novel and show alike are packed full of racy moments which will set viewers hearts thumping and will likely follow in the footsteps of author Sally’s 2020 series Normal People

She will make her debut in the series having graduated from drama school Lir Academy in Dublin, Ireland.

The new series comes after the success of Rooney’s 2018 novel Normal People which was adapted into a ratings smash hit TV series in 2020.

The show follows troubled lovers Connell and Marianne from their school days in Sligo to university at Trinity College Dublin as they navigate the difficulties of social and class dynamics in Ireland. 

It’s a hit! Normal People, which follows Marianne Sheridan [Daisy Edgar-Jones] and Connell Waldron [Paul Mescal], was BBC iPlayer’s most popular series of the year in 2020

The drama sees Marianne as a hugely intelligent yet misunderstood social outcast, while Connell is the school football star and is widely popular among his peers.

Marianne and Connell’s link is due to the fact that his mother works as a cleaner at her family’s mansion, and a strange and indelible connection grows between them.  

However, Connell is desperate to keep their blossoming relationship under wraps due to Marianne’s lower social standing at school.

The tables soon turn however, when the duo both go on to attend Trinity College in Dublin and Marianne is well-liked for her quirky ways and thoughtful insights.

Incredible: Normal People viewers went wild for the Irish drama after all 12-episodes were released on BBC iPlayer

While Connell struggles to find a connection with anyone other than Marianne.

Their relationship is thwarted by tricky situations, other romances and their own personal demons.

The coming-of-age novel is set in mid-2000s Ireland and tells the tale of how they overcome it. 

Normal People was the most watched show on BBC Three ever with more than 23 million downloads globally and over 6.75 million devices watching the first episode. This makes it the most popular programme on the channel ever.

Conversations with Friends airs on BBC Three in the UK, with all episodes available on iPlayer. It is available on Hulu in the US 

Breathtaking portrayals: The show, which is based on Sally Rooney’s best-selling second novel, follows troubled lovers Connell and Marianne from their school days in Sligo to university at Trinity College Dublin