HBO’s AIDS Drama, “The Normal Heart,” starring Mark Ruffalo and a star-studded ensemble cast attracted 1.4 million viewers for its premiere airing Sunday at 9 p.m.
An additional 434,000 viewers watched the movie’s repeat later that night at 11:15 p.m.
HBO considers the number “solid” for the Memorial Day weekend airing of the movie. In contrast, the network’s award-winning movie “Behind the Candelabra” drew 2.4 million viewers when it premiered over the holiday weekend a year ago on May 26.
Also read: ‘Normal Heart’ Review: Ryan Murphy Lets the Awful Facts Speak for Themselves
The premiere of “The Normal Heart,” which portrays the work of a group of New Yorkers who set out to find answers about a deadly disease affecting the gay community, ranks fifth in viewership among the 17 HBO Films that premiered on the network since 2010.
Alongside Ruffalo, the cast included Matt Bomer (“White Collar”), Taylor Kitsch (“Lone Survivor”), Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) and Julia Roberts.
From Plan B, Blumhouse and Ryan Murphy Productions, the movie was adapted by Larry Kramer from his own Tony-winning play.
See video: Mark Ruffalo Struggles to Be Heard About AIDS Crisis in New Clips From ‘The Normal Heart’
Murphy, Dante Di Loreto (“Glee”), Jason Blum, Brad Pitt and Dede Gardner serve as executive producers on the movie. Ruffalo co-executive produced with Scott Ferguson serving as a producer.