Ann Droid star insisted Philomena Cunk kept her Bolton accent for hit series

Charlie Brooker, the creator of the upcoming comedy series Cunk on Cinema, admitted Philomena Cunk was originally meant to be middle-class. The screenwriter described the character the team had in mind as a "posh yummy mummy cupcake blogger".

However, it was Diane Morgan herself who proposed maintaining her iconic native accent for this particular role.

During a TV preview of the new Cunk on Cinema series at the BFI, Morgan told the audience: "I plucked up the courage to say, 'Can I try it again?' It was very unlike me to be that bold during an audition, but I felt so strongly because I'd been practising it, and I really wanted it and believed this was for me."

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The comedy star mentioned the art of staying in character throughout her iconic interviews with film experts and actors, including one of the highest-grossing film directors of all time, Michael Bay.

"Absolutely, I stay as Philomena; it's fine to do it. I haven't seen any of his films," said Morgan, who also stars in Ann Droid and Motherland. "There's a switch I flick in my head; before I do it, it’s the real me if I had absolutely zero social skills."

Morgan's hit comedy mockumentary series returns this week, this time with a focus on the history of cinema. The series includes an interview with actor and Oscar nominee Benedict Cumberbatch.

The comedian commented: "I wouldn't call myself a cineaste; I like certain films, my favourite being Cleo from 5 to 7."

Morgan made stops at many iconic places while filming this series, such as the Hollywood Sign. Her most memorable place to visit was full of cinematic history: "The Cinema Museum [in London] was incredible, Charlie Chaplin's work house, and they are endangered at the minute."

It's been a great year for the comedian after her sitcom Ann Droid became the BBC's second-biggest new scripted launch of 2026. The comedy starring Morgan and Sue Johnston has also been renewed for a second series.

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Back in September, Morgan was also spotted sitting front row right near Jennifer Lopez at Stella McCartney's show at Paris Fashion Week.

Cunk on Cinema follows the huge success of previous mockumentaries including Cunk on Britain (2018), Cunk on Earth (2022) and Cunk on Life (2024).

Cunk on Cinema is out on BBC iPlayer and BBC2 on 12 November.

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