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.

Marianne and Connell are seeing other people and realise (too late) that their break-up was due to a misunderstanding.

Connell visits Marianne at her family’s summer home in Italy, where tensions between her and Jamie are at an all-time high.

Marianne, studying abroad, pursues an unhealthy relationship; in Dublin Connell enjoys an uncomplicated relationship with Helen.

After the suicide of a schoolfriend, Connell struggles with severe depression. Marianne remains a lifeline for him from abroad.

In Sligo, Marianne and Connell try to navigate friendship. A fight between Marianne and Alan causes a rift with her family.

Their final year in Trinity, Marianne and Connell are fully together - but how it will endure after they graduate is uncertain.