The BBC is said to be "desperate" to give the go-ahead to a second season of the breakout teen drama Normal People.

The series - based on the popular Sally Rooney novel - follows two Irish teenagers, played by Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones, as they start a passionate relationship.

Since its debut on iPlayer at the end of last month, the 12-part first season has been requested more than 28 million times and propelled BBC Three to its biggest ever audience figures.

"The BBC are desperate to get going on series two," a source told The Mirror. "The viewing numbers are huge and they want more of the same.

"They want to strike while the iron is hot and get working on the series as soon as possible.

"Their hope is to roll out the series in a similar time frame to Killing Eve. But it all depends on if they can get Sally Rooney on board."

An executive producer recently suggested that a potential second season could catch up with the two main characters 10 years in the future.