Just Act Normal

{{Infobox television

| image =

| genre = Comedy drama

| creator =

| based_on = Little Birds by Janice Okoh

| writer =

| screenplay = Janice Okoh

| story =

| director = Nathaniel Martello-White

| starring = {{Plainlist|

Chenée Taylor
Kaydrah Walker-Wilkie
Akins Subair
Romola Garai
Sam Buchanan

}}

| narrated =

| theme_music_composer =

| country = United Kingdom

| language = English

| num_series = 1

| num_episodes = 6

| executive_producer =

| producer =

| editor =

| cinematography = Adam Barnett

| runtime =

| company = {{Plainlist|

The Forge Entertainment

}}

| budget =

| network = BBC Three

| first_aired = {{Start date|2025|04|16|df=y}}

| last_aired = present

}}

Just Act Normal is a 2025 British comedy drama television series adapted by Janice Okoh from her own stage play Three Birds. The cast is led by Chenée Taylor, Kaydrah Walker-Wilkie and Akins Subair with Romola Garai and Sam Buchanan.

Premise

Three siblings must cope with life when their mother Jackie disappears.

Cast

Chenée Taylor as Tiana
Kaydrah Walker-Wilkie as Tanika
Akins Subair as Tionne
Romola Garai as Ms Jenkins
Sam Buchanan as Dr Feelgood
Jamelia as Fake Jackie
Ivanno Jeremiah as Leo
Jennifer Metcalfe as Candy
Talitha Wing as Rome
Lauren Beardsmore as Lisa

==Production==

The series is adapted by Janice Okoh from her own stage play Three Birds, which original 2013 production had Michaela Coel and Susan Wokoma. The setting has been moved from South London to Birmingham. The series is directed by Nathaniel Martello-White. The series is from producers The Forge Entertainment, as was originally titled as We Go Again.{{cite web|url= https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a61153452/bbc-we-go-again-cast/

|website=Digital Spy|access-date=14 April 2025|title= BBC confirms cast for new Birmingham-set drama from Ackley Bridge producers|first=Sam |last=Warner|date=28 June 2024}}

The six-part series is the first television roles for the three lead actors: Chenée Taylor (who plays Tiana), Kaydrah Walker-Wilkie (Tanika) and Akins Subair (Tionne), but also includes Romola Garai, Sam Buchanan, Talitha Wing, Ivanno Jeremiah and Jamelia, with a guest role for Jennifer Metcalfe.{{cite web|url= https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/fyi/762/just-act-normal-first-look-images/|website=British Comedy Guide|accessdate=14 April 2025|title= Just Act Normal: First look|date=24 March 2025}}

Filming took place in Birmingham and Coventry in June 2024.{{cite web|url= https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/bbc-crews-filming-around-birmingham-29391215.amp|first=Nathan|last=Clarke|website=Birmingham Mail|accessdate=14 April 2025|title= BBC crews are filming around Birmingham for new drama series as writer says 'I am over the moon'}}

Broadcast

Just Act Normal is broadcast on BBC Three from 16 April 2025.{{cite web|website=The Guardian|accessdate=14 April 2025|url= https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/apr/12/just-act-normal-the-dark-comedy-drama-thats-a-tv-feelgood-joy|title= Just Act Normal: the dark comedy drama that’s a TV feelgood joy|first=Rachel|last=Aroesti|date=12 April 2025}}

Reception

=Critical response=

The series has received positive reviews and praise from critics.

In a 5-star review for The Guardian, Lucy Mangan summarized it as "heartbreaking, hugely funny, endlessly subtle ... incredible TV", and described the "youthful cast" as "exceptional".{{

Cite news |

url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/apr/16/just-act-normal-review-to-watch-this-wonderful-show-is-to-see-stars-being-born |

title=Just Act Normal review – to watch this wonderful show is to see stars being born |

publisher=Guardian News & Media Limited |

website=The Guardian |

date=2025-04-16 |

access-date=2025-05-16 |

last1=Mangan |

first1=Lucy

}}

Writing for RadioTimes.com, Morgan Cormack said "levity, comedy and charm [were all] delivered flawlessly through [the] three newcomer leads."{{

Cite magazine |