Conversations With Friends is out now on Hulu and is the show Normal People fans were eagerly awaiting, being another miniseries adaptation of a Sally Rooney book. Throughout 12 episodes, the viewers follow the ups and downs of an unexpected relationship between two former lovers, now best friends, and a successful older couple.
While the show focuses on the four main characters, the supporting cast often delivers attention-grabbing moments and helps the viewers understand a little more about what drives the protagonists to act as they do. Although all of them drive the narrative in important ways, the variety among personality types means certain characters are much more likable than others.
Valerie
Valerie showed up a couple of times, but but her condescending attitude toward the others was so evident that made even Frances hit the roof. It was shocking to see how she refer to Nick's depression as an impediment in Melissa's career.
Even though Melissa defended her and explained to Frances how Valerie was at her side when everything seemed to be falling apart, she also acted disdainfully when she met Frances to discuss her work. Valerie apparently just can't keep an affable attitude for too long.
Dennis (France's father)
Dennis is a very strange character. Every time he's in the same room as Frances, it looks like he has a lot to say or a handful of emotions to express, but nothing comes out right. His awkward attempts on communicating with his daughter usually end up with him offering her extra money and that's about it.
It's true that Dennis is not in his best state of mind, but France's attitude toward him shows that he's been acting like this for quite some time, and the figure of a distant father is not exactly likable.
Derek And Evelyn
Derek and Evelyn work like a single entity in the show, because every scene one is in the other is also present. They are good friends of Nick and Melissa and had some highlights when they joined the group for a holiday in Croatia,
While they seem very friendly and cool to hang out with, the show gave too little space for the couple to shine onscreen, and they would certainly be more likable if the focus on Frances shifted a bit more. Unfortunately by the time the show is finished, fans will most likely barely remember them.
Bobbi
Bobbi is a very divisive character, as some will probably consider her the least likable character of the show while others argument that she is the best. So she stays kind of in the middle of the road.
Perhaps if Conversations With Friends explored more of Bobbi's point of view instead of Frances, viewers would understand her attitudes better. It's clear that she loves Frances and only wants what's good for her best friend (or lover), but jealously often makes her act impulsively and go hard on Frances. And in the end, she's never the first to apologize. In conclusion, when she is not letting her egocentric tendencies get in the way of her easy-going manners and funny witticisms, Bobbi quickly becomes the life of the party.
Paula (France's mother)
Paula was introduced as a sweet, yet distant character that seemed to have a hard time expressing feelings. As the show gave her more screen time she developed a lot, as viewers were able to see her delicate, sincere and direct way to deal with things.
The heart-to-heart conversation between Paula and Frances in the series finale was what the spectators needed to finally understand that her contained way to express love doesn't mean she doesn't care. It's a powerful moment as mother and daughter discuss matters of family and affection, and highlights why Conversations With Friends is one of the best shows to watch on Hulu this month.
Melissa
If it wasn't for Melissa approaching the girls, the story would never unfold. Melissa's friendly manners made Frances and especially Bobbi feel welcome in her circle of friends, as she regularly invited them to their parties, events, and even a holiday in Croatia. It was clear that she cared for them even when the news of Nick and Frances was unveiled.
But when she found out about Nick's affair, the relationship of the four grew increasingly tense and Melissa's temper hardly endured any confrontation with Frances. There are other factors that prevent her from being an easily likable character, like her decision to engage in an affair with Nick's best friend while he was suffering from depression, but she is a character that feels real and makes Conversations With Friends one more great novel adaptation.
Nick
Nick is introduced as an intriguing handsome actor, but the show quickly reveals he's actually someone who finds really hard to socialize with the easiness of his wife. His personality clicks immediately with Frances' introversion and he can't help but falling for her.
Nick is hard to read most of the time because he often has no idea how to express his feelings. As he grows increasingly comfortable with Frances, a new side of him is revealed; a romantic guy that just wants to stick to those he loves, but that ends up putting his wife and his lover in a tough spot. Sure, he went through a lot of pain in the past, but his constant indecision makes him difficult to deal with sometimes.
Frances
While the show has four protagonists, Frances stands out among them because viewers see everything through her eyes, and she has a unique relationship with each character introduced. Frances and Bobbi are a great example of female friendship, while her relationship with Nick is full of emotional ambiguities.
Frances' awkward efforts to socialize and express herself are sweet and funny, and the character is so likable because it's painfully easy to relate to her, even in the moments she's doing the wrong thing. Since everything unfolds from her point of view, it's easier to understand her motivations, and everyone ends up cheering for her.
Philip
Philip is far from being a central character, but he steals the show every time he appears. He's the most notable sidekick of the show and is always down for good gossip. His sweet, curious personality also gives space for a subtle, but remarkable sense of humor that often can bring about a few laughs when he gets caught up in the middle of an argument between Frances and Bobby.
Philip is also a caring and invaluable friend, being the only one who can endure France's bad mood. For him, friendship always comes first; this is evident when he apologizes to Frances after his slightly judgmental reaction to the news of her affair with Nick.