Philomena Cunk Returns with ‘Cunk on Life’ Special on Netflix

Diane Morgan reprises her role as the hilariously clueless Philomena Cunk in the new Netflix special, Cunk on Life, which premiered on January 3, 2025. The mockumentary, created by Charlie Brooker, sees Cunk tackling existential questions about life, science, and art, all while delivering her signature deadpan humor and absurdist commentary.

In the hour-long special, Cunk travels the globe, interviewing experts in fields ranging from theology to particle physics. Her nonsensical questions and baffling observations leave her interviewees visibly perplexed, creating some of the show’s most memorable moments. “Has anyone ever claimed responsibility for the Big Bang?” she asks one expert, adding, “So we’re no nearer to finding a culprit?”

The special also features surreal segments, including a parody of a children’s show about suicidal puppets and a recurring tribute to the 1989 Belgian dance anthem “Pump Up the Jam.” Despite its scattered structure, the show’s humor remains sharp, with Cunk’s interactions with experts serving as the comedic backbone.

Morgan, who has played the character for over a decade, credits the show’s success to its ability to balance highbrow topics with lowbrow humor. “The less I know about a thing, the better,” she said in an interview. “If you’re grasping at a topic, it’s funnier. People can identify with that more.”

Cunk on Life follows the international success of Cunk on Earth, which became a viral sensation on Netflix in 2023. The new special continues to explore the absurdity of human existence, with Cunk’s unique blend of ignorance and confidence providing both laughs and a satirical commentary on modern anti-intellectualism.