Mescal, Edgar-jones Back Rooney After U.K. Book Ban
WHO:
Al Jazeera - Other signatories included Susan Sarandon, broadcaster Gary Lineker, writers Arundhati Roy, Naomi Klein, J. M. Coetzee, and William Dalrymple, filmmaker Jonathan Glazer, and philosopher Slavoj Žižek.
Rolling Stone TV Movies - Paul Mescal, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and the group Kneecap signed an open letter opposing a ban on Sally Rooney’s books.
Rolling Stone TV Movies - The letter was also signed by Zadie Smith, Tilda Swinton, and Kate Nash.
Variety - Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones signed an open letter supporting Rooney.
Variety - Jessie Buckley, Mescal’s “Hamnet” co-star, was among the other signatories; Variety describes Buckley as Oscar-winning.
Variety - Sally Rooney is the author of “Normal People.”
WHAT:
Al Jazeera - The open letter called the U.K. law used to proscribe Palestine Action a “repressive absurdity” and said: “Her books must be available to the public.” It urged the government to amend the legislation.
Al Jazeera - The letter appeared on the cover of the New Statesman; the U.K. Supreme Court was set to hear a case concerning the ban two weeks later.
Al Jazeera - Rooney’s publisher, Faber & Faber, said it withdrew the books because it could not pass U.K. earnings on to Rooney; continued sales would be an “unconscionable situation for a publisher.”
Al Jazeera - Rooney said further publication of her work could constitute a “serious criminal offence” and that she was “wholly prepared to accept the consequences.”
Al Jazeera - Rooney has written four best-selling novels, which have sold more than six million copies globally. E-books were also withdrawn from U.K. sale, though some physical copies remained available in bookshops.
Rolling Stone TV Movies - An open letter opposed the ban on Rooney’s books and stated: “Sally Rooney is a writer, not a terrorist.”
Variety - Rooney’s books are banned in the U.K.; the article says the letter backs Rooney and was addressed to the U.K. government.
Variety - “Normal People” received a hit television adaptation that brought Mescal and Edgar-Jones to fame.
WHERE:
Rolling Stone TV Movies - The book ban is in the U.K.
Variety - The open letter supports Rooney in relation to the U.K. government and the U.K. book ban.
WHY:
Al Jazeera - Rooney said her books were pulled from U.K. sale because of her public support for Palestine Action, which the British government designated a “terrorist organisation.”
(UPDATED October 21, 2026 23:23 UTC)
A coalition of writers, actors and musicians has urged the U.K. government to make Sally Rooney’s books available, opposing their removal from sale. The open letter calls the law used to ban Palestine Action a “repressive absurdity” and says, “Sally Rooney is a writer, not a terrorist.” It urges lawmakers to amend the legislation. Rooney says her books were pulled because she publicly supported Palestine Action, which the government designated a terrorist organisation. Her publisher, Faber & Faber, says it cannot pass U.K. earnings on to Rooney, making continued sales an “unconscionable situation.” Rooney says publishing her work could be a serious criminal offence, but she is prepared to accept the consequences. Signatories include Paul Mescal, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jessie Buckley, Susan Sarandon, Zadie Smith, Tilda Swinton and the group Kneecap. Rooney’s four novels have sold more than six million copies worldwide; e-books were also withdrawn from U.K. sale.
--
(UPDATED October 21, 2026 18:17 UTC)
Paul Mescal, Daisy Edgar-Jones and a group of prominent artists have signed an open letter opposing the U.K. ban on Sally Rooney’s books. Addressed to the U.K. government, the letter declares, “Sally Rooney is a writer, not a terrorist.” Rooney wrote “Normal People,” which became a hit television adaptation that helped bring Mescal and Edgar-Jones to fame. Other signatories include Oscar-winning actor Jessie Buckley, Mescal’s co-star in “Hamnet,” as well as Zadie Smith, Tilda Swinton and Kate Nash. The band Kneecap also signed the letter. The signatories are backing Rooney amid the ban, which applies to her books in the U.K. Their appeal focuses on challenging that restriction and supporting the author.