Conversations with Friends brought Sally Rooney’s debut novel to life on BBC Three and Hulu in May 2022. The 12-part series follows the tangled love quadrangle between two Dublin college students and an older married couple. Jules Euphoria Hunter Schafer’s character arc, art school life and Season 3 finale spoilers. Here is everything you need to know about the cast of Conversations with Friends in 2026.
Main Cast of Conversations with Friends
The series features a mix of established stars and a breakout newcomer in the lead role.
Alison Oliver as Frances Flynn
Alison Oliver plays Frances, the 21-year-old college student at the centre of the story. Frances is observant, cerebral, and sharp. She studies English at Trinity College Dublin and performs spoken-word poetry with her best friend and ex-girlfriend Bobbi.
This was Oliver’s first professional acting role. She graduated from The Lir, Ireland’s National Academy of Dramatic Art, the same school that produced Normal People star Paul Mescal. After Conversations with Friends, Oliver played Isabella Linton in Emerald Fennell’s 2026 film Wuthering Heights.
Sasha Lane as Bobbi Connolly
Sasha Lane stars as Bobbi Connolly, Frances’s ex-girlfriend and best friend. Bobbi is American — she moved to Ireland as a teenager — and is described as undeniably cool, charming, self-assured, outspoken, and compelling. Though Frances and Bobbi broke up three years before the events of the series, they remain virtually inseparable and perform spoken-word poetry together in Dublin.
Lane is known for her breakthrough role in American Honey (2016), as well as The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Loki, and The Crowded Room.
Joe Alwyn as Nick Conway
Joe Alwyn plays Nick Conway, a 32-year-old actor from Dublin who is married to Melissa. Nick is described as talented and kind, but also reserved and insecure. He and Frances share undeniable chemistry, and their secret affair becomes the central relationship of the series.
Alwyn is known for his roles in The Favourite (2018), Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, Mary Queen of Scots, and Harriet. He also starred in the 2022 adaptation of Where the Crawdads Sing.
Jemima Kirke as Melissa Baines
Jemima Kirke portrays Melissa, an older English writer living in Dublin. Melissa is described as cool, enigmatic, and at times intimidating. She is married to Nick, though their marriage is not straightforward. She meets Frances and Bobbi at their spoken-word poetry show and becomes fascinated by the pair.
Kirke is best known for her role as Jessa Johansson in HBO’s Girls. She also appeared in Sex Education, Maniac, and the film Tiny Furniture.
Supporting Cast
The supporting cast adds depth to the world of Conversations with Friends.
Alex Murphy as Philip
Alex Murphy plays Philip, a friend of Frances and Bobbi who gets Frances her summer internship. A little conventional but caring, Philip is ambitious and hopes to move into publishing.
Justine Mitchell as Paula Flynn
Justine Mitchell plays Paula, Frances’s mother. Paula separated from her husband Dennis nine years ago. She is practical and perceptive and lives alone in Ballinascaul, County Mayo.
Tommy Tiernan as Dennis Flynn
Tommy Tiernan portrays Dennis, Frances’s alcoholic father. He lives alone in Ballinascaul and supports Frances financially, though the two struggle to connect emotionally.
Kerry Fox as Valerie Taylor-Gates
Kerry Fox plays Valerie, Melissa’s mentor and agent. Valerie is considered an important figure in the literary world and is a provocative and intimidating presence. She owns the Croatian holiday villa where much of the drama unfolds.
Tadhg Murphy as Derek
Tadhg Murphy plays Derek, an old friend of Nick’s and part of their Dublin social circle. Funny and bohemian, Derek is a talented musician and married to Evelyn.
Sallay Garnett as Evelyn
Sallay Garnett plays Evelyn, married to Derek and close to Melissa, whom she took under her wing when Melissa moved to Ireland. Evelyn runs a small literary festival and is a brilliant singer.
Caoimhe Coburn Gray as Aideen
Caoimhe Coburn Gray plays Aideen, a friend of Frances and Bobbi.
Emmanuel Okoye as Andrew
Emmanuel Okoye plays Andrew, Aideen’s boyfriend.
Full Cast List
Main Cast
- Alison Oliver as Frances Flynn
- Sasha Lane as Bobbi Connolly
- Joe Alwyn as Nick Conway
- Jemima Kirke as Melissa Baines
Supporting Cast
- Alex Murphy as Philip
- Caoimhe Coburn Gray as Aideen
- Justine Mitchell as Paula Flynn
- Tommy Tiernan as Dennis Flynn
- Kerry Fox as Valerie Taylor-Gates
- Tadhg Murphy as Derek
- Sallay Garnett as Evelyn
- Emmanuel Okoye as Andrew
The Creative Team Behind the Series
Conversations with Friends was brought to the screen by an acclaimed team of writers and directors. The series was adapted by Alice Birch (Normal People, Succession, Lady Macbeth), Mark O’Halloran (Rialto), Meadhbh McHugh (Asking For It), and Susan Soon He Stanton (Succession).
Lenny Abrahamson, who directed Normal People, returned to direct alongside Leanne Welham. The series was produced by Element Pictures, the same company behind Normal People, The Favourite, Room, and The Lobster.
Executive producers included Ed Guiney, Emma Norton, and Andrew Lowe for Element Pictures, Rose Garnett and Tommy Bulfin for the BBC, and Lenny Abrahamson. Catherine Magee served as series producer, and Jeanie Igoe was producer.
Plot Summary
Frances is a 21-year-old college student who confronts her vulnerabilities as she navigates a series of relationships. Her ex-girlfriend, now best friend, Bobbi is self-assured, outspoken, and compelling. Though they broke up three years ago, Frances and Bobbi are virtually inseparable and perform spoken-word poetry together in Dublin.
It is at one of their shows that they meet Melissa, an older writer who is fascinated by the pair. Bobbi and Frances start to spend time with Melissa and her husband, Nick, a handsome but reserved actor. While Melissa and Bobbi flirt openly, Nick and Frances embark on an intense, secret affair that surprises them both.
Soon the affair begins to test the bond between Frances and Bobbi, forcing Frances to reconsider her sense of self and the friendship she holds so dear. The story unfolds across Dublin and a holiday villa in Croatia, charting the romances and tumultuous power dynamics amongst the quartet.
Where to Watch Conversations with Friends in 2026
Conversations with Friends is available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK. In the United States, the series streams on Hulu. It is also available on Lionsgate Play in select territories.
What Critics Say About the Cast
The cast of Conversations with Friends received praise for their performances, particularly newcomer Alison Oliver. Critics noted that Oliver, Sasha Lane, Joe Alwyn, and Jemima Kirke all lived in the skin of their characters.
While the series received mixed reviews overall — with some critics finding it less compelling than Normal People — the performances were consistently highlighted as a strength. The romance and chemistry between Frances and Nick were described as tangible, and the series was praised for its honest depiction of adultery and its consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who plays Frances in Conversations with Friends? Alison Oliver plays Frances Flynn. This was her first professional acting role after graduating from The Lir academy.
Who is in the cast of Conversations with Friends? The main cast includes Alison Oliver as Frances, Sasha Lane as Bobbi, Joe Alwyn as Nick, and Jemima Kirke as Melissa. Supporting cast includes Alex Murphy, Justine Mitchell, Tommy Tiernan, and Kerry Fox.
Is Conversations with Friends as good as Normal People? The series received mixed reviews compared to Normal People, though the performances of the lead cast were widely praised.
Where can I watch Conversations with Friends? The series streams on BBC iPlayer in the UK, on Hulu in the United States, and on Lionsgate Play in select territories.
How many episodes are in Conversations with Friends? The series has 12 episodes, each approximately 30 minutes long.
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