Cunk on... (2018)
The gloriously dim Philomena Cunk tackles the history of Britain and the entire world in Charlie Brooker's deadpan mockumentary masterpiece.
Cunk on... - Series Information
- Original Title: Cunk on...
- First Air Year: 2018
- Last Air Year: 2022
- Created by: Charlie Brooker
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 10
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Spanish
- First Air Date: April 3, 2018 (United States - NR), April 3, 2018 (United Kingdom - 15), April 3, 2018 (Germany - 12), April 3, 2018 (Mexico - A), April 3, 2018 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: BBC Two
- Alternative Titles: Cunk on Earth (UK), La Tierra según Philomena Cunk (ES), Cunk na Zemlji (HR)
- Production Companies: House of Tomorrow, Broke & Bones
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Cunk on... - Plot
Landmark mockumentary-maker Philomena Cunk traces the history of Britain and Earth.
Cunk on... - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Philomena Cunk in gloriously misguided action:
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Cunk on... - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Charlie Brooker
Main Cast
- Diane Morgan
- Ashley Jackson
- Ruth Adams
- Jim Al-Khalili
- Shirley J. Thompson
- Mark Lawson
- Robert Peston
- Howard Goodall
- Douglas Hedley
- Shini Somara
Writers
- Joel Morris
- Jason Hazeley
- Charlie Brooker
- Ben Caudell
- Eli Goldstone
Executive Producers
- Charlie Brooker
- Alison Marlow
- Annabel Jones
- Tanya Qureshi
- Alex Moody
Cunk on... - FAQs
Who plays Philomena Cunk in Cunk on...?
Philomena Cunk is played by Diane Morgan, a British comedian and actress who originated the character on Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe. Morgan's brilliantly deadpan delivery — asking experts absurd questions with complete sincerity — is the beating heart of the entire series and the source of most of its comedy.
Is Cunk on... worth watching?
Absolutely. Cunk on... is one of the sharpest, funniest mockumentaries British television has produced in years. Diane Morgan's stone-faced interrogation of real academics — who gamely play along — generates comedy gold. Whether you love history, hate history, or simply enjoy watching experts squirm, this series delivers.
What is the difference between Season 1 and Season 2?
Season 1, subtitled Cunk on Britain, covers five episodes tracing the history of the United Kingdom. Season 2, subtitled Cunk on Earth, expands the scope to the entire history of human civilisation across another five episodes. Both seasons feature Philomena Cunk interviewing real academics with magnificently misguided questions.
Are the experts in Cunk on... real academics?
Yes, every expert interviewed is a genuine academic or professional. Guests include physicist Jim Al-Khalili, political editor Robert Peston, and historian Ronald Hutton, among others. They respond to Philomena Cunk's spectacularly wrong-headed questions in real time, making their polite attempts to stay composed part of the comedy.
Where can I stream Cunk on...?
Streaming availability for Cunk on... varies by region. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date viewing options in your country, including any subscription streaming, rental, or purchase platforms currently carrying the series.
Who created Cunk on... and wrote the scripts?
The series was created by Charlie Brooker, best known for Black Mirror. The scripts were written by a team including Joel Morris, Jason Hazeley, Ben Caudell, Eli Goldstone, and Michael Odewale. The writing team's genius lies in crafting questions that sound almost plausible before veering into spectacular absurdity.
Did Cunk on... win any awards or critical recognition?
Cunk on... earned strong critical praise and a devoted following, with Diane Morgan's performance widely celebrated as a comedic tour de force. The series was recognised at the BAFTA Television Craft Awards and helped cement Philomena Cunk as one of British comedy's most beloved fictional characters of the modern era.
What shows are similar to Cunk on...?
If Cunk on... is your kind of comedy, try Brass Eye for savage satirical mockery, Documentary Now! for affectionate genre parody, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace for gloriously deadpan British absurdism, or Horrible Histories for irreverent history comedy pitched with surprising wit and intelligence.
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