Steve Coogan to Guest Star in BBC Comedy Funboys' Second Series
Steve Coogan, the acclaimed actor best known for his portrayal of the tactless broadcaster Alan Partridge, is set to feature as a guest star in the award-winning BBC comedy Funboys. He joins the cast for the show's second series, described as 'succulent' and poised to 'slide into your soul'.
A Dramatic Transformation for Coogan
In a first look at the upcoming season, Coogan, 60, appears worlds away from his iconic character. He is seen wearing a tailored suit, jacket, and top hat, with a grey beard and moustache, portraying Phillip, a frustrated thespian. Phillip pretends to be part of the landed gentry at a folk museum, using the role as an excuse to 'let his pungent sadism run riot'.
Funboys: A Northern Irish Sitcom Success
Funboys first launched as a short film on BBC Three in 2023, with its first full series airing last year on BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Three. The sitcom follows three young men—Callum (Ryan Dylan), Jordan (Rian Lennon), and Lorcan (Lee R James)—growing up in Northern Ireland, navigating comedic misadventures. Ele McKenzie stars as Gemma, the love interest of both Callum and Lorcan, central to much of the storyline.
The show has garnered positive reviews from fans and scooped a gong at the Royal Television Society NI Awards in November, after receiving five nominations. Coogan joins the cast alongside Nicky Harley, Saorlaoith Brady, Lalor Roddy, Donal O’Hanlon, and Amanda Doherty.
What to Expect in Series Two
The BBC teased that after tackling grief, suppository drugs, and personal conflicts, the gang has emerged 'all grown up'. Callum experiments with a perm, Gemma and Lorcan are in a passionate relationship, and Jordan has reduced his outbursts. However, dark clouds loom as they belatedly engage with Irish history, facing themes of bigotry, balding, and competitive robot combat. The series questions whether their 'teletubby hearts' can overcome past scars.
Executive producer Simon Mayhew-Archer described Funboys as 'not a television series, it's a state of mind', thanking the BBC for transmitting 'profound messaging'. Actor Rian Lennon likened season one to a 'freshly born fawn' and season two to a 'sinewy young buck galloping through forests'. Ryan Dylan urged viewers to 'enjoy every suck, smack and sniff' of the comedy.
Details on the air date are yet to be confirmed, but the series will return to BBC Three.
Coogan's Concurrent Netflix Role
This news comes as Coogan is also starring in Netflix's new crime thriller Legends, created by Neil Forsyth of The Gold. In this six-part drama, premiering on May 7, Coogan portrays a tough customs officer leading a team undercover to infiltrate drug smuggling gangs. Based on a real-life investigation from the early 1990s, the series explores the dangers faced by ordinary customs employees taking on new identities, or 'legends'.
Coogan joins a cast including Tom Burke, Hayley Squires, Jasmin Blackborow, Charlotte Richie, and Tom Hughes. A trailer shows his character warning recruits about the risks: 'One wrong word, one wrong decision, and you're a goner.'
Reflections on Alan Partridge
Coogan recently admitted contemplating killing off Alan Partridge after playing the hapless broadcaster for over three decades. He suggested a dramatic end, such as 'driving it off a cliff', but continues to find humor in the character. Last year, he revived Partridge for a BBC mockumentary on mental health, acknowledging the character's enduring appeal despite feeling 'saddled' with it at times.
Coogan has earned six awards for his portrayal, including a TV BAFTA in 2017. He notes that Partridge's lack of tact allows for satirical commentary, as the character 'says things that people secretly agree with'.
With Funboys and Legends, Coogan showcases his versatility, moving from comedy to drama while maintaining his iconic legacy.
