Philomena Cunk future teased by Charlie Brooker - and she could be set for spooky new direction

Charlie Brooker has signalled that Philomena Cunk is far from finished, suggesting the BBC's bumbling mock-historian will be back for another outing, with a paranormal twist floated as one possible direction.

The comments come as the latest Cunk project, Cunk on Cinema, lands on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two, with Diane Morgan returning as the gloriously clueless presenter to pick apart the history of film.

Asked about the character's future, Brooker indicated there is no shortage of fresh material to work with, joking that the world's stupidity keeps providing fodder to play off.

"There is no shortage of inspiration. If you're looking to satirise idiocy, you only have to look around the world and there's plenty of it," he told The Sun. "I think we'll continue going for as long as people want us to, and let us."

It is a strong hint that Cunk's run of specials is set to continue, rather than a formal commission – but nevertheless, it's enough to keep hopes high for more hilarity.

One of the more eye-catching ideas gaining momentum is a possible move into spookier territory.

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Morgan is said to be interested in ghost hunting, and her partner, commissioner Ben Caudell, has revealed that she sometimes takes a ghost detector along to filming locations.

On BBC Radio 4, he said: "Diane's very interested in the world of the paranormal. She often takes a ghost detector to different locations she’s filming.

"If she's Cunk, and she goes into an old stately home, she'll try to find if there are any spirits lurking around. There are none proven yet but we are still searching."

He added: "I think she feels it makes the world a more interesting place and she doesn't want to close her eyes to those kind of things."

The comments have fuelled talk of a future Cunk adventure built around haunted houses or the paranormal, though no such series has been announced and the notion remains speculation rather than a confirmed plan.

For now, the focus is Cunk on Cinema, which sees Morgan's character chart film history from the invention of the camera through to CGI and AI.

True to form, the series pairs her deadpan ignorance with genuine interviewees, including director Michael Bay and actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who gamely submit to her questioning.

You can watch the official trailer below.

Cunk began life as a recurring figure in Brooker's various 'Wipe' programmes, before graduating to her own specials, including Cunk on Britain, Cunk on Earth and Cunk on Life.

Whether her next assignment takes her further into cinema's archives or a creaking haunted house, Brooker's remarks suggest Philomena Cunk's misadventures are set to carry on.

Cunk on Cinema is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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Authors

David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.