Diane Morgan is set to return to television screens as the delightfully clueless presenter Philomena Cunk in a brand-new mockumentary series for the BBC. Titled Cunk On Cinema, this three-part programme has been penned by the acclaimed writer Charlie Brooker and will delve into the rich and varied history of film.
A New Chapter for the Iconic Character
The series will broadcast on BBC Two and be available for streaming on iPlayer, offering audiences a fresh dose of Cunk's unique brand of deadpan, absurd, and often wildly inaccurate commentary. In character, Diane Morgan, as Cunk, shared her thoughts on the cinematic art form.
"Cinema has bestowed upon the world some of the most profound, memorable, and emotionally stirring visual moments in its unwavering portrayal of the human experience," she stated. "Consider the shower scene in Psycho, Death engaging in a chess match in that obscure Swedish film, and the radiant moustache of Tom Selleck in Three Men And A Little Lady, to cite merely all three examples currently at my disposal. Regrettably, there will be segments presented in black and white, but we shall endeavour to minimise such instances."
Exploring Film's Past and Future
Cunk On Cinema will tackle a diverse array of topics within film history. The series promises to examine the influential New Wave filmmakers of the 1960s, the evolution and impact of computer-generated imagery (CGI), and the burgeoning role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of film production and storytelling.
Charlie Brooker, the series creator, offered his characteristically sharp perspective on the timing of the show. "With the advent of AI tools like Sora seemingly disrupting Hollywood in a dramatic fashion, it feels like an opportune moment to reflect upon two hundred centuries of cinematic history," Brooker remarked. "And we shall do so accompanied by an idiot whom we appear fated to continue employing—Philomena Cunk."
International Release and Character Legacy
While a specific release date for Cunk On Cinema remains under wraps, it has been confirmed that the series will be available on Netflix for viewers outside the United Kingdom and Ireland. Diane Morgan first introduced the character of Philomena Cunk on Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe back in 2013.
Since that debut, the character has become a cult favourite, known for her hilariously ill-informed questions and straight-faced delivery. Morgan has portrayed Cunk in several specials and series, including Cunk On Shakespeare, Cunk On Christmas, Cunk On Earth, Cunk On Britain, and Cunk And Other Humans.
Beyond her work as Cunk, the Manchester-born actress and writer recently returned for a fourth series of the BBC comedy Mandy in 2025, a show she both stars in and writes. The announcement of Cunk On Cinema marks an exciting return for one of British television's most beloved satirical creations, promising to skewer the pretensions of film scholarship with its signature wit.
