Pornhub removes Normal People sex scene clips from site after show bosses complain

Sex scenes from BBC and Hulu's Normal People have been removed from Pornhub after a takedown was issued by the show's producers.

A 22-minute compilation of intimate scenes, featuring leading actors Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal, surfaced on the popular adult site last week.

Though it has been removed, the full video is still available on competitor sites.

True to its book original, the TV-version of Normal People is packed full of sex scenes. The twelve episodes earned critical acclaim - as well as a few raised eyebrows - for their intimate and realistic portrayals of sex.

"We're hugely disappointed that excerpts from the series of Normal People have been used in this way," said the show's executive producer, Ed Guiney.

"It's both a violation of copyright and more importantly, it's deeply disrespectful to the actors involved and to the wider creative team."

Pornhub's vice president Corey Price told Variety they were "fully compliant with the law."

"We respect all copyright requests and as soon as we become aware of the existence of these types of videos on our site, we have them removed."

Sex is a pivotal part of the plot and character development in Sally Rooney's acclaimed Normal People - both book and series. The story explores a range of sexual relationships in disarmingly relatable detail, and the producers were determined to get it right.

Active consent is scripted into intimate scenes, while intimacy coordinator Ita O'Brien worked closely with the actors to ensure they were comfortable throughout.

Leading actor Paul Mescal has expressed trust in the creative integrity behind the scenes.

"There was a sense of security and safety that the nudity required on the show wasn't going to be used perversely or feel pornographic," he told Entertainment Weekly.

"It was always Lenny's intention for it to be honest and truthful. When you trust people of Lenny and Hettie's calibre, you trust what they want to do with the film."

Lenny Abrahamson and Hettie Macdonald are the show's directors.