Diane Morgan’s Funniest TV Roles, Ranked

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Diane Morgan is recognized for her witty, understated sarcasm delivered with deadpan flair. She left us in awe with her exceptional timing and has become renowned in the realm of British television. Unlike many comedians who rely on physical comedy or fast-paced dialogue, Morgan’s humor stands out as more subtle and endearingly awkward, yet equally charming and impactful.

She has refined her skill over many years within the industry, initially gaining recognition for her role as the somewhat unaware yet fiercely loyal Philomena Cunk in Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe. However, it was her captivating performance as Kath in Ricky Gervais’ After Life that truly propelled Morgan into stardom. Her ability to portray innocence and obliviousness alongside Gervais’ brooding character left audiences spellbound.

Lately, Diane Morgan, famed for her side-splitting character Philomena Cunk, has resurfaced in the Netflix comedy film “Cunk on Life“. With wit and dry humor, she explores diverse topics and dishes out the funniest one-liners. Here’s a rundown of her small screen appearances that highlight Diane Morgan’s comedic prowess.

7
Talia

‘Mount Pleasant’ (2011 – 2012)

Nestled in the bustling city center of Manchester lies the lively district of Mount Pleasant, where diverse personalities intertwine to create a captivating narrative. The series primarily focuses on the ordinary lives of its inhabitants, often centering around Lisa, a 30-something resident of Manchester who is married to Dan, a plumber. Despite their strong bond, they occasionally engage in heated discussions.

Delightful Manchester Sitcom

For two seasons, the TV series “Mount Pleasant” is filled with an array of quirky personalities. Among them are Lisa’s consistently present parents Sue and Barry, along with her closest friends Shelley and Denise. The story unfolds in diverse settings like her job, her residential street, and a nearby pub. The show is helmed by Sally Lindsay and Daniel Ryan, while Bobby Ball, Bobby Ball (yes, that’s two Bobby Balls), Adrian Bower, and others lend their talent for supporting roles. In the second season, Diane Morgan makes an appearance for 12 episodes as a character named Talia.

Through her dry humor and keen intelligence, she offers a refreshing difference compared to the more emotional scenes in the show. Essentially, Morgan adds an element of liveliness to Mount Pleasant, keeping it from becoming too predictable or overused in sitcom conventions.

6
Susan Butler

‘The Work Experience’ (2012)

The Work Experience consistently adheres to its name, as it portrays a realistic depiction of work life. This mockumentary-style comedy show blends aspects of reality TV and prank shows, offering a peek into the tumultuous environment of a fashion PR agency. The narrative focuses on two driven interns who are constantly assigned tasks and subjected to dramatic outbursts by their superiors. However, it’s important to note that the entire agency is staged, with all employees being actors.

Short-Lived but Iconic Sitcom

The series, although entertaining and invigorating, managed to complete just one season (comprising six episodes), where each installment showcased a fresh group of interns at Grade PR. In this production, Morgan assumes the role of Susan Butler, who endures under the demanding and frequently illogical superior, Joanna Grade, serving as her personal assistant. Maintaining her composure amidst office mishaps, she also shoulders the responsibility. Additionally, she takes care of an ailing relative at home.

From comically fumbling attempts to win over her superior to awkwardly navigating conversations with trainees, she transforms Susan into an amusing figure and makes an indelible mark. She’s a mix of adorable and uncomfortable yet undeniably memorable.

5
Mandy

‘Rovers’ (2016)

Written and developed by Joe Wilkinson, Rovers represents a British comedy series that unfolds within the social club of a financially struggling non-league football team, Redbridge Rovers. The entire narrative unfurls at this club, focusing on its peculiar members and their unique relationships with one another. Doreen serves as the club’s matriarchal barmaid, Pete “Mete Pott” Mott is the most passionate member of the club, and he has a friend named Tel whose partner is called Mel.

Balances the Funny With the Dramatic

The comedy series “Rovers” stands out due to its unique setting, yet it cleverly unearths humor in unexpected places. The disorderly environment harmoniously accentuates the humorous characters, among them Diane Morgan’s Mandy, a local woman from England’s Midlands and the club’s resident wild card. Known for her erratic behavior and knack for finding herself in comedic predicaments, she enhances the performances of Pete and Tel and contributes to the show’s charm. Despite being well-liked for its realistic portrayal of a local football club and humor, “Rovers” had a brief run.

4
Nicola

‘Pat & Cabbage’ (2013)

In the world of American television, we have “The Golden Girls” from NBC and “Grace and Frankie” from Netflix, while in British sitcoms, it’s “Pat & Cabbage” that provides a humorous perspective on aging and self-reliance. This series chronicles the lives of two newly single women who refuse to succumb to graceful aging. Their offspring often find their behaviors frustrating, but Pat and Cabbage wholeheartedly welcome their newfound freedom.

Filled With Entertaining Characters

In six episodes, the comedy series Pat & Cabbage delves into the comedic angles of its concept by focusing on generational changes and family relationships. The script was penned by Amy Shindler and Beth Chalmers, with Barbara Flynn and Cherie Lunghi taking on the main roles. Rosie Cavaliero portrays Pat’s eldest daughter, while Marcus Garvey plays her son-in-law. Tom Turner stars as Dylan, Cabbage’s highly esteemed only son.

Regarding Morgan, she portrays the character of Nicola, who is Pat’s ambitious, young daughter. The humorous aspects of the series are accentuated through Nicola’s dynamic exchanges with her mother about her career and her playful banter with Dylan, Cabbage’s son. Her pragmatic approach to life enhances the show significantly.

3
Fiona

‘Frayed’ (2019 – 2021)

Sarah Kendall’s creation, titled “Frayed“, is a blend of comedy and drama that follows the storyline of Samantha “Sammy” Cooper, portrayed by Kendall herself. As a high-society London housewife, Sammy finds herself in a sudden turn of events when she must return to her hometown in Australia with her two teenage children following her husband’s disgrace and untimely demise. To rebuild her life, the resourceful Sammy encounters challenges from her former beau, his current partner, her political superior, as well as other eccentric townsfolk.

An Underrated and Unconventional Dramedy

For two consecutive seasons, “Frayed” followed the story of Sammy as she reluctantly reconnected with her family and roots, primarily in the first season. The second season saw a temporary return to London, where she worked on regaining her home and dealing with legal matters. Kendall’s outstanding performance shone throughout, particularly in her portrayal of Sammy’s relentless and practical handling of each crisis that unfolded.

The skilled ensemble brings remarkable performances in their assigned characters. Morgan portrays Fiona, who serves as Chris’s boss’s secretary. She frequently works alongside Sammy and assumes a more significant role in Season 2, where she develops into the love interest of a detective sergeant named Darren Fairbank. The series blends humor with emotional scenes, making it a notable standout.

2
Kath

‘After Life’ (2019 – 2022)

In After Life, Ricky Gervais delivers a witty yet somber exploration of life and mortality. As creator, writer, executive producer, and star, Gervais portrays Tony Johnson, a Tambury newspaper writer grappling with loss when his wife passes away. Struggling to cope, he adopts a reckless approach to life, speaking and acting without restraint. However, as the series unfolds, Tony discovers compassion for certain individuals and endeavors to be less callous towards them.

Quirky and Sentimental

Over the span of three seasons for the show “After Life,” the narrative frequently switched directions, offering both laughter and tearful moments. Gervais delivers an outstanding performance as the protagonist, creating a dull yet deeply affecting pity party that we’re all happy and thankful to be part of. To offset the heavier topics of depression, the series introduces charming characters. One such character is Diane Morgan’s Kath, the Gazette’s ad manager who appears in almost every episode with Tony. She’s a straightforward and honest woman who adds a distinct taste to the show.

1
Philomena Cunk

‘Cunk on Britain,’ ‘Cunk on Earth’ (2018, 2022)

Philomena Cunk, a character initially introduced in “Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe,” is played by Diane Morgan across multiple television programs. Known for her lovable yet clueless investigative reporting style, she delves into the history and culture of Britain and Earth collectively. In “Cunk on Britain,” she examines the country’s history, tracing it from the Stone Age to contemporary times. The subsequent series, “Cunk on Earth,” follows Philomena as she traverses the globe, speaking with experts about a range of topics such as agriculture, the Industrial Revolution, and religion.

Morgan Transitions Into a Full-Fledged Comedy Icon

As a dedicated fan, I’ve noticed that Morgan employs her iconic dry wit and unyielding cluelessness in both shows to generate laughter. She keeps up her innocently ignorant persona and poses questions so absurdly funny that they seem like a clever ploy to throw off the person she’s interviewing.

Philomena Cunk, a character from shows produced by Charlie Brooker, often ignores established facts without realizing it, leading to some incredibly funny scenes on television. These shows combine top-notch production quality, unusual and absurd dialogue, along with Cunk’s raw honesty, making her character adored and unforgettable by many viewers.

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2025-01-11 06:16