BOLTON’S very own Sophie Willan will be back on television screens as her award winning comedy Alma’s Not Normal gets a second series.
And Sophie says she is thrilled the story is set to continue.
Inspired by Sophie’s own experiences, the first series, filmed in Bolton, follows Alma who is trying to rebuild her life after a break-up while dealing with her heroin addict mum and an eccentric grandma.
Sophie said: “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.”
The series centres on Boltonian wild-child, Alma Nuthall and her family of eccentric, unruly women.
The series is said to offer 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.
Alma's Not Normal star Sophie Willan is new patron of Bolton's Backup Northwest
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 and BBC Studios is distributing the series internationally.
The first series of Alma’s Not Normal is available on BBC iPlayer
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel