BBC viewers obsessed with 'best comedy since Only Fools' starring Strictly icon
A sitcom on BBC Two has left viewers utterly captivated, with some declaring it 'possibly the best thing they have ever watched'.
The show, Alma's Not Normal, first aired in 2020, and was created by and stars Sophie Willian. It follows the life of aspiring actress Alma Nuthall as she deals with her quirky family and relationships in Bolton, Manchester.
Drawing on Sophie's personal experiences growing up in care, Alma's Not Normal addresses a range of topics from sex work and relationships to death and addiction.
The cast boasts several television legends. Strictly star Jayde Adams portrays Alma's best friend Leanne, while Lorraine Ashbourne embodies her unforgettable grandma, Joan.
Siobhan Finneran, known for her roles in Happy Valley and Benidorm, plays Alma's former drug addict mum Lin, reports the Express.
Following its release in 2021, the first series garnered glowing reviews and earned Sophie numerous awards, including a BAFTA for Best Female Comedy Performance.
A second series was launched in October last year, once again earning critical praise. At the 2025 BAFTA Awards, the show bagged the award for Best Scripted Comedy.
In the second series, Alma returns to Bolton - but just as she begins to settle back into her Bolton life, grandma Joan drops a bombshell that changes everything.
Fans of Alma's Not Normal have been taking to social media to praise the show, with one viewer gushing on Facebook: "One of my favourites -so well written and acted beautifully."
Another fan recommended: "Watched all of this highly recommend it. Best comedy since Only Fools. It's hilarious if in need of a good laugh."
A third shared their emotional reaction: "I sobbed and laughed at the same time... Nothing has ever done that to me before , brilliant."
Meanwhile, another viewer was effusive: "I think this is possibly the best thing I have ever watched."
Despite the clamour for more episodes, Sophie Willan, the star of the show, has dashed hopes for a third series.
Speaking on The Guilty Feminist podcast, she revealed: "Basically, they're not getting a Series 3. I'm done,".
Sophie also mentioned her plans for the show's future: "I want to do a Christmas special, they've commissioned the script. But I don't want to do another series. I want to wrap up the journey. She is no longer a situational comedy protagonist. They have to not learn, that's the point. She's Del Boy at the end when he gets boring and rich."
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