Comedic documentarian Philomena Cunk (played by Diane Morgan) is making a triumphant return to Netflix in “Cunk on Life.” This upcoming one-off special will have her venture out on a quest to understand the meaning of life.
“Cunk on Life” is directed by Al Campbell (“Death to 2020”) and created and written by Charlie Brooker (“Black Mirror”). The writing team also includes Morgan, Ben Caudell, Erika Ehler, Charlie George, Eli Goldstone, Jason Hazeley, Lucia Keskin, Joel Morris, and Michael Odewale.
The series will have Philomena examining subjects like quantum physics, existentialism, nihilism, hedonism, and we are sure several more isms. Looking at innovators from vastly different fields including Dostoyevsky, Van Gogh, and Nietzsche. She will sit down with leading experts and academics all while on a journey to understand “What is life?” “Why are we bothering to find out?” and “Are you going to finish those french fries?”
“Cunk On”
The character of Philomena Cunk originated on the British television review program “Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe.” This spun off into the 2016 specials “Cunk on Shakespeare” and “Cunk on Christmas,” focusing on the ill-informed investigative reporter’s deep dives into each subject. Philomena got a five-episode series, “Cunk on Britain,” for the BBC in 2018. In 2022, “Cunk on Earth” hit Netflix and the BBC, following her travels around the world, interviewing experts about world history.
From the trailer, it looks like “Cunk on Life” will be more of the same hilariously deadpan shtick.
“Cunk on Life” will hit Netflix on January 2nd, 2025. You can check out the trailer below: