Alma's Not Normal
A sitcom about a Bolton woman seeking a fabulous life.
Alma's Not Normal is a British sitcom that first aired as a pilot on BBC Two in April 2020. The series follows Alma, a woman from Bolton, as she seeks a meaningful and fabulous life while navigating strained family relationships and her time in care. Written by and starring Sophie Willan, the show draws on her own experiences in the care system and as a call girl.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Comedy
- Creator
- Sophie Willan
- Director
- Andrew Chaplin
- Starring
- Sophie Willan
- Jayde Adams
- Siobhan Finneran
- James Baxter
- Nicholas Asbury
- Lorraine Ashbourne
- Maizie Wickson
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- Series
- 2
- Episodes
- 12
Facts from the source article.
Background
Willan wrote the first draft around 2014, responding to the austerity measures of the Cameron Government, which she felt were negative for welfare recipients, mental health care, and social services recipients. Laura Minor notes that the show comments on the gendered and classed impacts of austerity in the North. Willan won the BBC's Caroline Aherne Bursary in 2017, receiving £5,000 and mentorship from Kate Daughton to develop her script. She wrote the first series during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cast and characters
Sophie Willan plays Alma Nuthall, a working-class aspiring actress in her thirties who recently ended a relationship, spent part of her childhood in care, left school without qualifications, and works as an escort. Maizie Wickson portrays young Alma. Jayde Adams plays Leanne, Alma's confident and sexually promiscuous best friend from Bristol, described by Alma as having the raw sex appeal of Debbie Harry but the mannerisms of a truck driver. Siobhan Finneran plays Lin Nuthall, Alma's mother, who struggles with mental health issues and heroin addiction, leading to a troubled relationship with Alma. Matilda Freeman plays young Lin. Lorraine Ashbourne plays Joan Nuthall, Lin's mother and Alma's grandmother, who raised Alma. James Baxter plays Anthony, Alma's ex-boyfriend in Series 1. Nicholas Asbury plays Jim, Lin's schizophrenic boyfriend. Dave Jones plays Bill, Leanne's boss-turned-employee. Jemma Churchill plays Sandra, Joan's passive-aggressive neighbour. Dave Spikey plays Ian, a drama teacher. Amy Gledhill plays Lesley, one of Ian's students. Shahzeb Aslam plays Brian, another student. Tupele Dorgu plays Cheryl, a fitness teacher in Series 1. Sue Vincent plays Trish, Anthony's mother in Series 1. Katie Redford plays Jane in Series 1. Kenneth Collard plays David in Series 2. Julie Hesmondhalgh plays Aunty Ange in Series 2. Nick Mohammed plays Jules Goodwin in Series 2. Selina Mosinski plays Aunty Evie in Series 2. Steve Pemberton plays Uncle Dickie in Series 2. Ash Hunter plays Sam in Series 2. Craig Parkinson plays Richard, Alma's father, in Series 2.
Reception
Lucy Mangan of The Guardian gave the pilot episode four stars, praising the fine cast and swiftly drawn characters, and noting an emotional undertow that surfaces to punch the viewer. Steve Bennett of Chortle praised the episode for introducing a cast of intriguing, sympathetic characters who are complex and authentic, with universally strong performances that bring lightness to bleak subject matter. Ian Hyland of The Daily Mirror called it Phoenix Nights meets Fleabag, guided by the spirit of Victoria Wood, and said the pilot convinced him BBC Two had a massive gem. Ben Dowell of The Times described Willan's writing as skilled, very personal, uplifting, and strangely enchanting. In April 2021, Willan won the BAFTA for Comedy Writer for the pilot. The 2021 series won Best Comedy Programme at the Royal Television Society North West Awards. The show received multiple award nominations and wins in 2022, including Broadcast Awards, BAFTAs, Broadcasting Press Guild Awards, and Royal Television Society Awards. In 2025, it received further Royal Television Society and BAFTA nominations and wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes of Alma's Not Normal are there?
Alma's Not Normal has 12 episodes across 2 seasons.
When did Alma's Not Normal first air?
Alma's Not Normal first aired on 7 April 2020.
When did Alma's Not Normal end?
Alma's Not Normal last aired on 11 November 2024.
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