Latest news with #NotNormal
Wales Online
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC adds 'best comedy since Only Fools & Horses' that has viewers in tears of laughter
BBC adds 'best comedy since Only Fools & Horses' that has viewers in tears of laughter A beloved BBC sitcom starring several telly legends has left fans in tears of laughter BBC adds 'best comedy since Only Fools & Horses' that has viewers in tears of laughter (Image: BBC ) A BBC Two sitcom has left viewers captivated, with some declaring it 'possibly the best thing they have ever watched'. Alma's Not Normal,, which debuted in 2020, is the brainchild of Sophie Willian, who also stars as the lead character, Alma Nuthall. The plot revolves around Alma, an aspiring actress from Bolton, Manchester, grappling with her quirky family and tumultuous relationships. Drawing inspiration from Sophie's personal experiences, including her time in foster care, Alma's Not Normal delves into a range of topics, from sex work and relationships to death and addiction. The cast boasts several television stalwarts. Strictly star Jayde Adams portrays Alma's best friend Leanne, while Lorraine Ashbourne embodies the unforgettable character of Alma's grandmother, Joan. Alma's Not Normal has become a hit with fans (Image: BBC ) Grantchester star breaks silence as ITV show comes to an end after 11 years READ MORE: Welsh Emmerdale star unrecognisable after 12 years as she launches unusual career move READ MORE: Siobhan Finneran, renowned for her roles in Happy Valley and Benidorm, plays Lin, Alma's mother and a recovering drug addict, reports the Express. Article continues below Following its launch in 2021, the first series garnered glowing reviews and bagged Sophie numerous accolades, including a BAFTA for Best Female Comedy Performance. The second series, released in October last year, was met with similar acclaim. At the 2025 BAFTA Awards, the show clinched the award for Best Scripted Comedy. Strictly star Jayde Adams appeared in the show (Image: BBC ) In the second series, Alma returns to Bolton, but just as she begins to readjust to life there, her grandmother Joan drops a bombshell that turns everything upside down. Viewers of Alma's Not Normal have taken to social media to praise the show, encouraging others to tune in for a good laugh. On Facebook, one fan enthused: "One of my favourites -so well written and acted beautifully." Another viewer recommended the series, saying: "Watched all of this highly recommend it. Best comedy since Only Fools. It's hilarious if in need of a good laugh." Fans have applauded the sitcom (Image: BBC ) A third person shared their emotional reaction: "I sobbed and laughed at the same time... Nothing has ever done that to me before , brilliant." Meanwhile, another fan was effusive in their praise: "I think this is possibly the best thing I have ever watched." Article continues below Despite the clamour for more episodes of Alma's Not Normal, creator Sophie has indicated there won't be a third series. "Basically, they're not getting a Series 3. I'm done," she revealed on Deborah Frances-White's The Guilty Feminist podcast. Sophie also mentioned her plans for the show's future: "I want to do a Christmas special, they've commissioned the script. But I don't want to do another series. I want to wrap up the journey. She is no longer a situational comedy protagonist. They have to not learn, that's the point. She's Del Boy at the end when he gets boring and rich."
Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC viewers obsessed with 'best comedy since Only Fools' starring Strictly icon
BBC viewers have demanded others to watch a hilarious but moving sitcom that features an incredible cast A sitcom on BBC Two has left viewers utterly captivated, with some declaring it 'possibly the best thing they have ever watched'. The show, Alma's Not Normal, first aired in 2020, and was created by and stars Sophie Willian. It follows the life of aspiring actress Alma Nuthall as she deals with her quirky family and relationships in Bolton, Manchester. Drawing on Sophie's personal experiences growing up in care, Alma's Not Normal addresses a range of topics from sex work and relationships to death and addiction. The cast boasts several television legends. Strictly star Jayde Adams portrays Alma's best friend Leanne, while Lorraine Ashbourne embodies her unforgettable grandma, Joan. Siobhan Finneran, known for her roles in Happy Valley and Benidorm, plays Alma's former drug addict mum Lin, reports the Express. Following its release in 2021, the first series garnered glowing reviews and earned Sophie numerous awards, including a BAFTA for Best Female Comedy Performance. A second series was launched in October last year, once again earning critical praise. At the 2025 BAFTA Awards, the show bagged the award for Best Scripted Comedy. In the second series, Alma returns to Bolton - but just as she begins to settle back into her Bolton life, grandma Joan drops a bombshell that changes everything. Fans of Alma's Not Normal have been taking to social media to praise the show, with one viewer gushing on Facebook: "One of my favourites -so well written and acted beautifully." Another fan recommended: "Watched all of this highly recommend it. Best comedy since Only Fools. It's hilarious if in need of a good laugh." A third shared their emotional reaction: "I sobbed and laughed at the same time... Nothing has ever done that to me before , brilliant." Meanwhile, another viewer was effusive: "I think this is possibly the best thing I have ever watched." Despite the clamour for more episodes, Sophie Willan, the star of the show, has dashed hopes for a third series. Speaking on The Guilty Feminist podcast, she revealed: "Basically, they're not getting a Series 3. I'm done,". Sophie also mentioned her plans for the show's future: "I want to do a Christmas special, they've commissioned the script. But I don't want to do another series. I want to wrap up the journey. She is no longer a situational comedy protagonist. They have to not learn, that's the point. She's Del Boy at the end when he gets boring and rich."
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BAFTA-winning Bolton star is all smiles as she announces 'plot twist'
A much-loved award-winning actress from Bolton has revealed her own real life 'plot twist' with her bombshell pregnancy announcement. The BBC Alma's Not Normal creator and actress left fans feeling overjoyed as she took to social media to announce the exciting news. Alma's Not Normal, starring and created by the actress, won best scripted comedy for the second season at last month's BAFTA awards. The sitcom is inspired by her experiences growing up in the town. It features familiar sights and businesses, including Tapaz on Bradshawgate. Sophie has often been spotted filming around Bolton, where she still lives, and is patron of charity Back-up North West. Taking to her Instagram account, Sophie posted a picture of herself and her partner, Carniel Francis Levy, along with a picture from her ultrasound scan, saying: 'Plot twist... We're having a baby boy! Sophie took to social media to announce her pregnancy. (Image: Sophie Willan)'Coming November 2025. 'Our lives are about to change forever, in the most chaotic, joyful and magical way…And yes, we're already arguing about baby names.' READ MORE: BAFTA TV awards for Sophie Willan and Clive Myrie Sophie Willan shares love for Bolton during filming Many fans took to social media to congratulate Sophie on her delightful news. The actress also shared images from her ultrasound. (Image: Sophie Willan) Actress Anna Maxwell Martin of ITV's TV drama Until I Kill You and BBC's TV Series Motherland and Line of Duty said: 'This is amazingggggg' Loose Women's Judi Love gushed: "Oh honey!!! Congratulations to you both. What joyful news." Joining on the praise, Waterloo Road's actor James Baxter shared: "Wow wow wow wow!!! Huge huge congrats to you both.' Singer Sophe Ellis Bextor also chimed in: 'Oh darlin!!! Woo hoo!!!'. Alma's Not Normal, starring and created by the actress, won best scripted comedy for the second season at the BAFTA TV awards.
Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Danny Dyer breaks BAFTA Awards rule as host Alan Cumming is forced to apologise
Danny Dyer was handed a BAFTA at London's Royal Festival Hall for his performance inSky Comedy series Mr Bigstuff. However, the ceremony's host, Alan Cumming, had to apologise for his actions Danny Dyer was elated to win a coveted BAFTA Award on Sunday, but host Alan Cumming quickly apologised for the star's actions. Danny was presented the BAFTA for Best Male Performance in a Comedy and he couldn't hide his delight. The former EastEnders man won the accolade for his performance in Sky Comedy series Mr Bigstuff. When it cameto accepting the prize, Dyer admitted: "The acting was so bad it was funny". He then stunned the audience by swearing several times, despite having being warned early about the Bafta rules. He said he was getting 'choked up' as he gave his acceptance speech on stage at London's Royal Festival Hall. Dedicating the gong to writer Ryan Sampson, Danny said: "He's one of the greatest people ever to come out of Rotherham - not saying much. You won this for me mate." He then added: "Girls - Sunni, Dani, I done it," before breaking the rules, emphatically saying: "I f***ing done it." The 47-year-old star's vocab left Alan Cumming needing to say he was 'asked to apologise' for the language from Danny. He wasn't the only one to break the no swearing rule, though. Sophie Wilan was also a rule breaker during her speech for Alma's Not Normal winning best Scripted Comedy. 'It's been s*** hot,' she said. She soon realised her error and covered her mouth. However, her mishap was well received by the star-studded crowd, who laughed at her actions. Elsewhere, the BBC won the sport Bafta TV award for its coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympics, while host Alan Cumming also quizzed Gavin and Stacey star Rob Brydon on the mysterious fishing trip from the hugely popular BBC series. The Welsh star's character Bryn West and his nephew Jason are constantly asked by members of their family in the sitcom about their unknown fishing trip in which they go camping together. However, each character swore to keep it secret. Alan turned to Rob, who was sitting with fellow Gavin And Stacey actors in the Bafta audience, to ask about the trip. 'Please answer it for us now. Uncle Bryn, what actually happened in that camping trip?,' he said. Brydon began to speak and replied 'I never talk' before Alan cuts him off and moves onto the next nomination, which received huge applause and laughter at the eveng. 'Oh, sorry, Rob. We've got to go straight on with the next award. We'll pick it up at next year's Bafta,' he joked. Other award winners on the night included The Jury: Murder Trial, which won Best Reality programme. It pipped The Traitors to the title. Collecting the award, producer Ed Kellie said: 'This proves that reality TV can actually be about something.'
