BBC’s acclaimed ‘hidden gem’ is your next 1-night TV binge

The award-winning comedy Funboys welcomes Steve Coogan to the cast of season two. The new series premieres on BBC iPlayer on 15 June

he BBC has released a first look at season two of its award-winning comedy, Funboys, which returns to screens later this month.

Led by the brilliant trio of Ryan Dylan, Rian Lennon and Lee R James, this outrageous, offbeat Irish series follows three young men awkwardly navigating adulthood in small-town Northern Ireland – and if you haven’t watched it yet, you’re missing out.

Callum (RYAN DYLAN), Phillip (STEVE COOGAN) in Funboys© BBC / Mayhay Studios / Nathan Magee
Steve Coogan guest stars in the new series

I completely binged the first season when it arrived last year. Earning comparisons to comedy hits like The Inbetweeners and This Country, this hilarious show is a must-watch for fans of absurd, odd-ball comedy.

Ahead of the release of season two, which welcomes award-winning actor and comedian Steve Coogan to the cast, find out everything you need to know about the show…

What to expect from Funboys season two

In season two, Callum, Jordan and Lorcan, face a new set of misadventures in their small hometown of Ballymacnoose.

The official synopsis reads: “The soft bellied boys of Ballymacnoose are back. After last year, tackling the weight of grief and suppository drugs, the gang have come out the other side all grown up. Callum’s trying out a lovely perm, Gemma and Lorcan are smooching seven times a day, and it’s been four months since Jordan’s last full throated screaming strop with his Daddies. Things are bright in Ballymacnoose.

Gemma(ELE MCKENZIE), Jordan(RIAN LENNON), Lorcan(LEE ROSS JAMES), Callum(RYAN DYLAN) in Funboys© BBC / Mayhay Studios / Nathan Magee
The series follows three young men awkwardly navigating adulthood in small-town Northern Ireland

“But dark clouds loom! The gang belatedly get involved in The Great Irish Potato Famine and it’s all down-hill from there. Bigotry, balding and competitive robot combat, if they aren’t careful the funboys are about to become the doneboys. Aghh!

“Will the soft kindness of their Teletubby hearts overcome the colonial scars of the past? Is Jordan losing his hair or is it, as he insists, just a double crown? Are the close-minded people of Ballymacnoose ready for Lorcan to explore previously uncharted territory in the love department? Is Lorcan even ready? Who’s exploring Lorcan’s departments? Aghh!”

Who stars in Funboys?

Ryan Dylan, Rian Lennon and Lee R James lead the cast, alongside Ele McKenzie.

Also reprising their roles in season two are Brian Devlin, Owen Colgan, Paul Bazely and Richard Croxford.

Mal (PAUL BAZELY), Ben (RICHARD CROXFORD) in Funboys© BBC / Mayhay Studios / Nathan Magee
Paul Bazely and Richard Croxford reprise their roles in season two

Joining the cast alongside Steve Coogan are Nicky Harley, Saorlaoith Brady, Lalor Roddy, Donal O’Hanlon and Amanda Doherty.

What have viewers said about the show?

Viewers have hailed the series as a “proper hidden gem” and a “delirious triumph”.

Taking to social media, one person wrote: “Discovered #Funboys on BBC iPlayer recently –  a brilliantly offbeat, hilarious comedy from Northern Ireland.”

Gemma (ELE MCKENZIE), Jordan (RIAN LENNON), Lorcan (LEE ROSS JAMES) in Funboys© BBC / Mayhay Studios / Nathan Magee
Funboys returns with its second season in June

A second viewer added: “Wasn’t sure what to expect from #Funboys but it absolutely tickled me and I’ve ended up watching it twice! Daft as anything I have seen but it had me laughing my head off in places.”

What’s the verdict from TV critics?

The Guardian hailed the comedy as “gentle yet harrowing, charming yet brutal, light but insidious,” in its four-star review of season one, while The Evening Standard handed out four stars, describing it as a “beautifully bonkers worthy successor to This Country”.

The show also picked up two RTS Northern Ireland awards last year, with co-creators Rian Lennon and Ryan Dylan winning the Writer Award and Ele McKenzie taking home the gong for Breakthrough On-Screen.

Funboys series two arrives on BBC Northern Ireland and iPlayer on 15 June, on BBC Three on 19 June 19 and on BBC One on 20 June. A spin-off series, Fair Game: A video game review show presented by Funboys, will be available on YouTube and BBC iPlayer to accompany the series. 

CRE:https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/906598/bbc-acclaimed-comedy-funboys-returns-series-two/