Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones have thrown their weight behind Normal People author Sally Rooney after her books were pulled from U.K. shelves, saying: “Sally Rooney is a writer, not a terrorist.”
The Hollywood stars skyrocketed to global fame in the 2020 BBC-Hulu adaptation of Rooney’s hit book, which depicted the on-off relationship between Connell (Mescal) and Marianne (Edgar-Jones).
Last week, it was reported that the Irish writer’s novels, including her other adapted work, Conversations With Friends, as well as Beautiful World, Where Are You and the recent Intermezzo, would no longer be available for sale in Britain because of Rooney’s support for Palestine Action.
At the bottom of an open letter published in The New Statesman on Wednesday, Mescal and Edgar-Jones signed their names. The statement read: “Sally Rooney is a writer, not a terrorist. Her books must be available to the public. Their withdrawal from sale, on the basis of ill-conceived and draconian anti-terror legislation, is an affront to basic principles of free speech and expression so long taken for granted in this country.”
It continued: “We categorically reject censorship — whether direct or indirect — and urge the government to change course, amending the legislation which has led us to this point of repressive absurdity.”
Among the other 158 signatories are Susan Sarandon, Tilda Swinton, Wuthering Heights actress Alison Oliver, Veep creator Armando Iannucci, Mescal’s Hamnet co-star Jessie Buckley, Irish band Kneecap, Oscar-winning director Jonathan Glazer and writer Zadie Smith.
As the U.K. government outlawed Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, Rooney‘s publisher Faber confirmed to the Associated Press that it “has led to circumstances where Faber cannot pass on U.K. earnings to Sally Rooney for her work.” In a statement last week, Faber said: “To sell a writer’s work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher. As such, and in full agreement with Sally, we have taken the decision that we can no longer supply her works in the U.K. in any format.”
Faber’s decision to withdraw her books from sale in the U.K. was made “with my full agreement,“ Rooney added when the news broke. She continued: “I have made every effort to be honest with the public about my beliefs and intentions, and I am wholly prepared to accept the consequences.” Proceeds from her novels and TV fees would be used to continue to support Palestine Action, Rooney also shared.
The decision follows the author writing a column in The Irish Times last August titled “Sally Rooney: I support Palestine Action. If this makes me a ‘supporter of terror’ under UK law, so be it.”