Empire

In a school in small town west of Ireland, Connell is a well-liked, good looking and an athletic student. Marianne is a proud, intimidating, and unpopular loner. An attraction sparks between them, but they are determined to conceal from their peers.

Connell and Marianne’s relationship continues in secret. Meanwhile, Marianne must find a way to explain her unplanned absences to her prying brother.

Connell becomes anxious when his friends tease him about Marianne, suspecting they’ve guessed about their relationship. Fueled by anxiety, Connell makes an unexpected decision that hurts Marianne.

Months later, Connell arrives at Trinity College. His new classmate Gareth invites Connell to a party and offers to introduce him to someone else he knows from Sligo and so he comes face-to-face with an unexpected guest.

Connell and Marianne start socializing as friends in Dublin.

Connell and Marianne are back together. Connell has gained confidence in college; giving presentations in class and getting good grades but is reluctant to show Marianne affection in front of her friends. Will they be able to admit that they are together?

Connell bumps into Marianne back in Sligo. It’s the first time they have seen each other since they broke up. Despite the awkwardness between them, Connell offers to attend Marianne’s father’s anniversary mass the next day and they agree to stay friends.

It’s the summer holidays and Connell and Niall arrive at Marianne’s family house in Italy. The obvious chemistry between Connell and Marianne causes friction with Jamie, despite Connell’s evident happiness with his girlfriend Helen.

Marianne is on a student exchange program in Sweden for a year. Her breakup with Jamie has cost her some of her friends, but she is still in touch with Connell. She is in a relationship with Lukas, a photographer who she meets at a college party.

Connell receives news that a friend has passed away and struggles with the emotional fallout of their death. Marianne attempts to reassure him over Skype. Through counselling and Marianne’s friendship, Connell begins to see a way forward.

Marianne has returned to Carricklea for the summer. She and Connell spend their weekends together, even though he is still living in Dublin. After a night out together, they start to discuss their friendship and inevitably their attraction.

Marianne and Connell are back in Dublin. Connell receives news that he has been offered a place to study in New York.