Normal People star Paul Mescal has hinted that the hit drama could return for a second season to deal with "unfinished" business between the two main characters.

The 12-part series has become a global phenomenon since its release at the end of April and has been requested almost 40 million times on BBC iPlayer in the UK.

The show is based on the Sally Rooney novel of the same name and as such was conceived as a self-contained series, but its unexpected popularity has led to calls for a follow-up.

"There's no question that character to me is still alive and breathing and very much has a lot of life left to live, and has a relationship with Marianne that is maybe unfinished," Mescal, who plays male lead Connell, told Wonderland.

"I I do feel like the series that has finished is its own thing, and I'm totally comfortable with that. It's not on the cards at the moment, but if I got the opportunity to play him again, amazing."

The success of Normal People is thought to be a key factor in the BBC's decision to consider relaunching BBC Three as a linear TV channel.