Here we have the BBC sitcom Mandy. It was created by, written by, and stars Diane Morgan (of Philomena Cunk fame). The first series launched in July 2019 and filming for a fourth series is in place right now (February 2025).

It’s been an important project for Morgan, as she’s used it to showcase her talents away from the Cunk character who made her famous.

Whilst Mandy can be a bit hit and miss, there are enough absurdist high points to make it very enjoyable binge viewing (helped along by episodes being a mere 15 minute bitesize chunks). Ready to enter a world of simplistic British Northernisms? Ecky thump!

Tragicomedy Galore in the Working Class World of Mandy

We think self-deprecation is essential for great comedians. To be able to mock yourself and appear unattractive, to go against basic human urges to do the exact opposite, takes an open and intelligent personality.

You can see this with many great performers, one of the most notable with Rik Mayall and his appearance in Bottom (greasy, slovenly, a quite deranged character) despite being a Hunk of the Month type.

Diane Morgan nails this element of Mandy, her lips contorted into a permanent expression of worry.

Mandy just doesn’t fit very well into society and would have worked very well turning up in Bottom as a side character. Her inability to function in day-to-day life has led to a chronic smoking habit and she bumbles through existence. Despite that, she’s pretty amiable but also prone to venting her frustrations with various sweary outbursts and fits of violence.

The series is a great showcase of Morgan’s comedic physicality, wearing odd fitting jeans, oversized puffer jackets, huge boots, and ambling about the place like an ungainly giraffe. All with that worried expression. She’s so pretty, though, so despite her best efforts to look awful she still manages to look fab.

Even from the show’s brief intro screen you can see she portrays it so well. You instantly learn a lot about this character in 20 seconds.

But what matters here is the quality of the material and, unsurprisingly, it hits many high notes. There’s great writing, performances, and it’s about as cult classic territory as you can get.

There are three series to watch (a fourth is filming as you read this). Thus, light up a ciggy and let’s explore this stuff!

Series 1

Morgan stars as Mandy Carter, a hapless and nervous individual not cut out for modern life. She lives in London and is usually on the dole (government benefits), moving between an endless series of jobs like Charles Bukowski in Factotum (1975).

Due to her general incompetence, she gets fired from most jobs. You get elements of slapstick in with this and various other shenanigans, all with references to British things liked baked potatoes, biscuits, and cups of tea.

However, Mandy also strays into rampant absurdism at times. Series 1 for us is the best of the bunch, with The Russian episode (see clip above) featuring some great writing and a surprise bloodbath ending.

Shaun Ryder of The Happy Mondays turns up in that episode by the way (see 24 Hour Party People for more on that).

Series 2

For us, the weakest series this one didn’t really find its feet until episode 5. That’s Fatberg, where Mandy manages to land a job in a sewer. She has to learn to swim, but is super eager on the role as she just has to stand there for four hours then go home.

We should note Mandy’s friend Lola (Michelle Greenidge) appears regularly alongside her as a sardonic accomplice.

Plus, the show has a fun habit of reusing several actors for various parts. Where they typically play the same sort of person. Mark Silcox being another, who’s a British standup in lots of stuff.

Series 3

Much of this series gets back on form, bringing Mandy back down to Earth. Highlights include the unlucky lady working in a biscuit factory. What initially seems like a dream job soon goes badly wrong.

Back on form after series 2, we liked this one and it has some fun moments. We shall await series 4 to see if Morgan can deliver the best of the batch so far.

And a Bit About Diane Morgan

Her career continues in the ascendency! The Cunk character is gaining popularity in America now, with the above interview from January 2025.

Morgan turns 50 later this year, but is just one of those people who looks much younger. 10 years back when doing her Cunk work, nearly 40, she looked like she was about 25.

She’s from Bolton of Greater Manchester, making her the town’s second biggest comedic name after comedy legend Peter Kay. And her work does share some similarities to Kay’s genius, but with a more absurdist and deadpan twist.

She’s played other characters, too, such as the dreary Kath in Ricky Gervais’ After Life (2019), in which she looks ruddy amazing.

Morgan has also been notable as an animal rights activist, plus she’s been open about her desire to not have any kids. Which is still (ridiculously) a bold thing to say in public these days.

Mz. Morgan—we salute your excellence. 🫡