ALMA'S NOT NORMAL RENEWED FOR SECOND SERIES ON BBC TWO

Following the multiple award-winning first series, which was met with huge critical and audience acclaim, Alma’s Not Normal is set to return to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer for a second series.

Created, written by, starring and Executive Produced by Sophie Willan, Alma’s Not Normal (6 x 30) centres on Boltonian wild-child, Alma Nuthall and her family of eccentric, unruly women and was the creation of Sophie in 2018 when she was inaugural winner of the BBC’s Caroline Aherne Bursary Award.

The series, produced by Expectation, offers a bitingly funny and unflinching take on class, sexuality, mental health and substance abuse. It celebrates women dealing with the hands they’ve been dealt while doggedly pursing their dreams.

The first series has swept the awards lists since Sophie won BAFTA Best Comedy Writer for the pilot in 2021. Since then, Sophie and the series has been recognised by no less than four national awards and has been nominated for three categories in the forthcoming BAFTAs 2022.

Sophie Willan says: "I’ve been overwhelmed by the response to the show – people seem to really love and relate to the Nuthalls which means a lot and to get the chance to continue that story is beyond what I could have hoped for.

“That on the back of the awards we’ve received is a bit mind-blowing if I’m honest. To be recognised by BAFTA, Broadcast Awards, The Royal Television Society, peers and our audience in such a way is a real honour. I’m thrilled to get back in the writing room to see where Alma’s journey takes us next.”

Nerys Evans, Executive Producer and Expectation’s Creative Director, Scripted, says: “Sophie Willan is one of the most naturally gifted comedy writers I’ve had the pleasure of working with. It’s been so wonderful seeing the response to Almas not Normal. Viewers have connected so instantly to Sophie’s characters. Like everyone else, I can’t wait to see what Alma and her brilliant family do next.”

Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy Commissioning, says: “We couldn’t be prouder to commission the Award-winning Alma’s Not Normal for a second series. It’s a privilege to work with Sophie and her brilliantly bold and original comedy brain. Sophie embodies everything that you can achieve with the unique opportunities BBC Comedy can offer exciting new voices.”

Broadcast details will be confirmed in due course.