Cunk on Cinema is on BBC Two tonight at 10pm, with Philomena Cunk beginning her hilariously misguided investigation into the history of the movies. The new three-part series, starring Diane Morgan, sees Cunk question filmmakers, actors and industry experts as she attempts to understand where cinema came from, what it means and why it cannot simply explain itself.
If you cannot wait for the weekly BBC Two broadcast, there is good news: the whole series is already available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
In the US, fans can stream it on Netflix.
The first episode takes Philomena from the earliest days of filmmaking to Hollywood’s Golden Age, with encounters involving cinema legends and the writer of Die Hard. Along the way, she examines the invention of sound, questions the quality of early films and attempts to uncover the real meaning of The Wizard of Oz.
Here is everything you need to know about Cunk on Cinema, including tonight’s start time, what happens in episode one, the celebrity contributors and the full BBC Two broadcast schedule.
What time is Cunk on Cinema on tonight?
Cunk on Cinema starts tonight at 10pm on BBC Two.
The first episode launches the new three-part series, with Philomena Cunk beginning her ambitious exploration of cinema history. The programme will air weekly on BBC Two, with the second episode scheduled for November 19 and the third on November 26.
You do not have to wait for the weekly broadcasts to find out what happens next. All three episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 6am on November 12.
Can you watch the whole series of Cunk on Cinema on iPlayer?
Yes. All three episodes of Cunk on Cinema are available on BBC iPlayer now, meaning viewers can watch the complete series rather than waiting for each weekly BBC Two broadcast.
The episodes became available from 6am on November 12, the same day as the first episode’s television premiere.
For viewers who prefer to watch one episode at a time, BBC Two will show the series at 10pm on three consecutive Thursdays.
What happens in Cunk on Cinema episode 1 tonight?
The opening episode sees Philomena Cunk embark on what she considers a groundbreaking history of cinema.
Her investigation begins with the earliest moving pictures, where she is shocked by the poor picture quality of the first films and fascinated by the beards sported by their Victorian inventors.
From there, Cunk explores the development of cinema and the arrival of sound, which prompts an appropriately dramatic reaction. She also turns her attention to some of the supposedly greatest films from Hollywood’s Golden Age, offering her own distinctive critiques along the way.
The episode features interviews with filmmakers, actors and critics, including several famous names. Cunk even interrogates the writer of Die Hard as she attempts to get to the bottom of what cinema is really all about.
And, in a moment viewers will not want to miss, she finally discovers the true meaning of The Wizard of Oz.
As ever, Cunk approaches serious cultural subjects with complete confidence and a remarkable ability to ask questions that nobody else would think to ask.
What is Cunk on Cinema about?
The new series follows Philomena Cunk as she attempts to explain the history of cinema, from the invention of the camera through to modern filmmaking and the potential impact of artificial intelligence.
Across three episodes, she will investigate the major developments that have shaped movies, including the early days of filmmaking, the New Wave directors of the 1960s, the arrival of computer-generated imagery and what the future might hold for cinema in the age of AI.
Her approach is to ask experts the big questions about the medium while attempting to make sense of its history from the comfort of lumpy cinema seats and with stale popcorn close at hand.
Among the questions she wants answered are where cinema came from, why it exists, what it wants and why it cannot tell us.
The format gives Cunk plenty of opportunities to challenge the people who know the industry best, with her trademark deadpan delivery and wonderfully unexpected observations.
Who appears in Cunk on Cinema?
The series features a starry collection of contributors from across the film industry, including filmmakers, actors, composers and critics.
Confirmed contributors include:
- Michael Bay – The director behind Bad Boys, The Rock and the Transformers films.
- Isabel Stevens – Managing editor of Sight and Sound magazine.
- Benedict Cumberbatch – The actor known for Sherlock and The Imitation Game.
- Daniel Pemberton – The film composer whose credits include Project Hail Mary.
They are among the industry figures who find themselves facing Cunk’s questions as she attempts to demystify the world of cinema.
The series promises plenty of familiar faces, but the real attraction is watching experts try to navigate Philomena’s unique approach to interviewing.
Who plays Philomena Cunk?
Philomena Cunk is played by Diane Morgan, the comedian and actress who has made the character one of British television’s best-known mockumentary creations.
Cunk’s confident but frequently baffling observations have become the defining feature of the franchise. She approaches every subject as though she is an expert, even when her questions reveal that she has misunderstood the basics.
Morgan’s straight-faced performance is central to the comedy, particularly when Cunk interviews genuine experts who must decide how to respond to her increasingly absurd lines of questioning.
Is Cunk on Cinema part of the Cunk series?
Yes. Cunk on Cinema is the latest instalment in the mockumentary television franchise created by Charlie Brooker for the BBC and Netflix.
The character has previously explored a range of subjects in programmes including Cunk on Britain, Cunk on Shakespeare, Cunk on Earth and Cunk on Life.
The franchise has developed a devoted following thanks to its combination of documentary-style presentation, genuine historical and cultural detail, and deliberately ridiculous interviews.
Cunk on Earth earned a BAFTA TV nomination, while Cunk on Life received a Primetime Emmy Award.
The new cinema series applies the same formula to the history of film, giving Cunk another huge subject to investigate and plenty of opportunities to confuse the experts.
Cunk on Cinema episode release dates
There are three episodes in the new series. Here is the BBC Two broadcast schedule:
| Episode | BBC Two broadcast |
|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Thursday, November 12 at 10pm |
| Episode 2 | Thursday, November 19 at 10pm |
| Episode 3 | Thursday, November 26 at 10pm |
All three episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 6am on November 12.
Where can you watch previous Cunk programmes?
If the new series leaves you wanting more, several previous Cunk programmes are also available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
These include Cunk on Christmas, Cunk on Earth, Cunk on Britain, Cunk on Shakespeare and Cunk on Life.
They offer more of Philomena’s distinctive investigations into history, culture and the big questions of existence, all delivered with the same deadpan confidence.
Is Cunk on Cinema worth watching?
For fans of Diane Morgan’s Philomena Cunk, the new series offers another opportunity to see the character take on a subject that is practically impossible to cover without asking some very serious questions.
Cinema history provides plenty of material, from the earliest moving pictures and the arrival of sound to Hollywood’s Golden Age and the modern use of CGI. The series also brings together an impressive list of contributors, giving Cunk the chance to put her questions to people who really know the industry.
Whether you watch tonight’s opening episode on BBC Two or stream all three instalments on iPlayer, Cunk on Cinema promises another entertaining journey through a subject that Philomena is determined to understand.
Cunk on Cinema starts tonight at 10pm on BBC Two. All three episodes are available now on BBC iPlayer.
Choose an article to read now…
- What Time Is Cunk on Cinema on Tonight? BBC Two Schedule, Episode 1 preview and How to Watch
- Who Is Playing in the Game4Ricky Match on Channel 5? Full Team Hitman and Team Hatton Line-Ups
- The Madame Blanc Mysteries: Is It on Tonight? New Episode, Plot and What to Expect on Channel 5
- When Is the Russell Brand Documentary on Netflix? Release Date, What It’s About and What to Expect
- Is Hunting Alice Bell on Tonight? Episode 2 Release Time, Plot, Cast and How to Watch on Channel 4
- Aldi: The Next Big Seller: Tonight’s products and when you can buy them
Want more TV previews, entertainment news & lifestyle reviews? Subscribe for free, below.
Share this post with someone you think would like it…