Latest news with #SophieWillan
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
'Best comedy since Only Fools And Horses' is now streaming for free on BBC - leaving viewers 'sobbing and laughing at the same time'
The 'best comedy since Only Fools and Horses' has now been made available to stream for free on the BBC - leaving viewers 'sobbing and laughing at the same time'. Alma's Not Normal, which debuted on BBC Two in April 2020, comes from the mind of actress and comedian Sophie Willan, who wrote, created and stars in the sitcom. It follows Sophie as Alma Nuthall, a working-class aspiring actress in her thirties from Bolton, Greater Manchester, reeling from a break-up, while working as an escort. The three-time BAFTA-winning programme covers a range of topics, from addiction, to loss, to the inadequacy of public services. It also draws on some of Sophie's own experiences as a care leaver, with Alma having spent time in care and left school with no qualifications. Its two series, available to watch on BBC iPlayer, also boasts a star-studded lead cast, including comedian Jayde Adams and Grantchester actress Lorraine Asbourne. It follows Sophie as Alma Nuthall (centre, with Lorraine Ashbourne, left, as Joan and Jayde Adams, right, as Leanne), a working-class aspiring actress in her thirties from Bolton, Greater Manchester, reeling from a break-up, while working as an escort Jayde stars as Alma's best friend and confidant Leanne, while Lorraine plays her grandmother Joan, who raised her when her mother Lin was unable to. Downton Abbey's Siobhan Finneran plays Lin, whose heroin addiction and mental health issues left her with a fractious relationship with her daughter Alma. After the roaring success of the pilot in 2020, the full first series launched in September 2021, to widespread critical acclaim. It won Sophie the BAFTAs for Best Comedy Writer and Best Female Comedy Performance. A second series hit our screens in October last year, winning the BAFTA for Best Scripted Comedy. The programme has a lot of fans, who have taken to social media to encourage others to watch the show too. One said on Facebook: 'One of my favourites - so well written and acted beautifully.' Another commented: 'Watched all of this, highly recommend it. Best comedy since Only Fools. It's hilarious if in need of a good laugh.' Someone else chimed in: 'I sobbed and laughed at the same time... Nothing has ever done that to me before, brilliant.' One took it even further: 'I think this is possibly the best thing I have ever watched.' But despite the high praise, creator Sophie has confirmed the programme will not be returning for a third series. She told Deborah Frances-White's podcast The Guilty Feminist: 'Basically, they're not getting a series three. I'm done.' But it might not be quite the end of the story just yet: '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.' The semi-autobiographical element of the show continued into the second series, released last year. Like Alma, Sophie was brought up by her grandmother, called Denise, between stints in foster care. The second series sees Alma's grandmother Joan diagnosed with cancer - and similarly, Denise died from cancer during filming of the first series of the programme. Sophie later dedicated her BAFTA win in 2022 to her grandmother. Also like Alma, Sophie had at one point turned to sex work to make ends meet. She developed an interest in acting around the same time. Joining a theatre company in Manchester, she had been about to branch out to make her own when she won the BBC's Caroline Aherne bursary in 2017. The fund, named for the creator of sitcom The Royle Family, sees a budding comedy talent supported to develop a script - and it was how Alma's Not Normal was born. She has previously told the BBC: 'The second series was very hard to write because some of it was stuff that I was currently dealing with rather than stuff that I processed long ago.' It saw her take aim at cuts to the mental health and care systems: 'I wanted to take the state to task. I wanted to show the impact on vulnerable women. 'And what happens to my mum in [the show] is systematic failure.' It comes after another beloved BBC comedy also came to an end. Man Like Mobeen sees former drug dealer Mobeen try to lead an honest life in Small Heath Birmingham after years of an unlawful lifestyle. The show, which first aired back in 2017, was created by and stars actor and comedian Guz Khan. It was confirmed earlier this year the comedy would make a comeback for a fifth instalment, released on May 1 - but it would be the very last one. 'In the final series, Mobeen must save Aqsa but can he even get a passport or a plane ticket to the UAE? And will he convince his friends to join him?' the synopsis reads. Creator and star Guz previously revealed he had only written the series for fans and he would not be making another. He explained: 'I can't even shop at Aldi without someone popping out from behind the bread aisle and asking me when there's going to be more Man Like Mobeen. 'So, for you, and only for you, here's one, final, very last, never to be done again season of Man Like Mobeen.
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
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BAFTA award-winning actress pregnant with first child after controversial speech
Sophie Willan has confirmed she is expecting her first child. The creator and star of the award-winning BBC series Alma's Not Normal, took to Instagram to reveal she is pregnant, marking the announcement with a photo of herself dining with partner Carniel Francis Levy. In the image, the couple are seen smiling across a table set with a white tablecloth, menus, and surrounded by floral arrangements. Willan wore a red dress for the occasion, and while the photo itself made no reference to the news, the announcement followed in her caption and additional photos showing her baby scan. Alongside the photo of the scan, Sophie wrote: "WE'RE HAVING A BABY BOY. 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." The post was quickly met with congratulatory messages from fans and fellow actors alike, celebrating the couple's growing family.
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Brit TV star reveals she's pregnant with first baby after sweary speech at BAFTAs
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRIT TV star has revealed her happy pregnancy news just days after scooping a BAFTA. The Bolton-born actress, 37, turned the air blue with her very sweary acceptance speech at one of telly's biggest events of the year. 5 A Brit TV star has revealed she is pregnant with her first child Credit: Instagram 5 Sophie Willan, 37, shared images of her scan to Instagram Credit: Instagram 5 She stars in BBC show Alma's Not Normal Credit: BBC Yet now Sophie Willan has confirmed she is expecting her first child. The Alma's Not Normal star took to her Instagram page to share an image of her in a red dress, having dinner with partner Carniel Francis Levy. They flashed smiles as they posed on opposite sides of their table, which was adorned with a white table cloth and menus and surrounded by flowers. The snapshot itself gave no hint as to the announcement, before Sophie made the big reveal in her caption and in subsequent pictures showing her scan. She wrote: "WE'RE HAVING A BABY BOY! "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." SCREEN QUEEN Sophie voiced reality show The Circle since 2018. She has also appeared in person on a number of TV programmes including Still Open All Hours and Click And Collect. She has also been on a number of comedy shows including The Tez O Clock Show, Class Dismissed and Live from The Comedy Store. BBC star confirms their comedy has been axed after two series - but there's a twist More recently, she created Alma's Not Normal which is set to be released in 2021. On stage, Sophie's Branded tour was a national sell-out including spending three weeks at SOHO Theatre in London. She was also named on The Times Best Living Comedians List in 2018. The mum-to-be claimed the Herald Angel Award in 2017, while also bagging the 2018 BBC Caroline Aherne Bursary title. Bafta TV 2025 Winners List Here's everyone who has taken home an award at tonight's ceremony Drama Series: Blue Lights Leading Actor: Lennie James, Mr Loverman Leading Actress: Marisa Abela, Industry Entertainment: Would I Lie To You? Entertainment Performance: Joe Lycett - Late Night Lycett Factual Series: To Catch a Copper Factual Entertainment: Rob & Rylan's Grand Tour International: Shogun Supporting Actor: Ariyon Bakare, Mr Loverman Supporting Actress: Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer Limited Drama: Mr Bates Vs The Post Office Male Performance in a Comedy: Danny Dyer, Mr Bigstuff Female Performance in a Comedy: Ruth Jones, Gavin and Stacey Fellowship: Kirsty Wark News Coverage: BBC Breakfast: Post Office Special Reality: The Jury: Murder Trial Scripted Comedy: Alma's Not Normal Short Form: Quiet Life Single Documentary: Ukraine: Enemy in the Woods Special Award: ITV - Mr Bates Vs The Post Office Soap: EastEnders Live Event Coverage: Glastonbury 2024 Specialist Factual: Atomic People Sports Coverage: Paris 2024 Olympics, BBC One Children's Non-Scripted: Disability and Me (FYI Investigates) Children's Scripted: Cbeebies As You Like It At Shakespeare's Globe Current Affairs: State of Rage Daytime: Clive Myrie's Caribbean Adventure P&O Cruises Memorable Moment: Strictly Come Dancing - Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell dance to You'll Never Walk Alone FAN SHOCK Sophie stunned fans - with her sweary acceptance speech cut - at the recent BAFTA ceremony in London. The star, who took home her second Bafta for comedy series Alma's Not Normal, couldn't resist cursing when taking to the stage – though made multiple efforts not to. The excitable star admitted as she took to the stage: "I'm not allowed to swear and all I want to do is Beep Beep, Bl**dy Beep!!" before attempting to replace swears with something else. "I just want to say, these lot are flupping brilliant. Blimming fabulous!" she joked. However, she later slipped up and let a few out. The offensive words were edited out by the time they made it to broadcast on BBC One. 5 Sophie stunned TV fans with a sweary acceptance speech at the recent BAFTAs Credit: Getty
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Brit TV star reveals she's pregnant with first baby after sweary speech at BAFTAs
A BRIT TV star has revealed her happy pregnancy news just days after scooping a BAFTA. The Bolton-born actress, 37, turned the air blue with her very sweary acceptance speech at one of telly's biggest events of the year. 5 5 Yet now Sophie Willan has confirmed she is expecting her first child. The Alma's Not Normal star took to her Instagram page to share an image of her in a red dress, having dinner with partner Carniel Francis Levy. They flashed smiles as they posed on opposite sides of their table, which was adorned with a white table cloth and menus and surrounded by flowers. The snapshot itself gave no hint as to the announcement, before Sophie made the big reveal in her caption and in subsequent pictures showing her scan. She wrote: "WE'RE HAVING A BABY BOY! "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." Sophie voiced reality show The Circle since 2018. She has also appeared in person on a number of TV programmes including Still Open All Hours and Click And Collect. She has also been on a number of comedy shows including The Tez O Clock Show, Class Dismissed and Live from The Comedy Store. BBC star confirms their comedy has been axed after two series - but there's a twist More recently, she created Alma's Not Normal which is set to be released in 2021. On stage, Sophie's Branded tour was a national sell-out including spending three weeks at SOHO Theatre in London. She was also named on The Times Best Living Comedians List in 2018. The mum-to-be claimed the Herald Angel Award in 2017, while also bagging the 2018 BBC Caroline Aherne Bursary title. FAN SHOCK Sophie stunned fans - with her sweary acceptance speech cut - at the recent BAFTA ceremony in London. The star, who took home her second Bafta for comedy series Alma's Not Normal, couldn't resist cursing when taking to the stage – though made multiple efforts not to. The excitable star admitted as she took to the stage: "I'm not allowed to swear and all I want to do is Beep Beep, Bl**dy Beep!!" before attempting to replace swears with something else. "I just want to say, these lot are flupping brilliant. Blimming fabulous!" she joked. However, she later slipped up and let a few out. The offensive words were edited out by the time they made it to broadcast on BBC One. 5 5
