Bolton-based comedy drama Alma's Not Normal is returning for series 2. Written by comedian and actress Sophie Willan (who also stars in the BBC show), the sitcom follows a working-class woman who wants to become an actress and is trying to get her life together after a break-up.
Here's what to expect from the second instalment, as well as breakdown of each of character.
Cast of Alma's Not Normal
There are 5 main characters throughout series one and two:
Sophie Willan as Alma Nuthall
Thirty-something-year-old, working-class woman Alma Nuthall dreams of making it big in the world of acting. She's recently broken up with her deadbeat boyfriend Anthony (played by James Baxter). After leaving school with no qualifications, she works as an escort to fund her future career.
Sophie Willan, who plays Alma, is a comedian, actress, narrator and writer from Bolton. She did the voiceover for the reality TV show The Circle on Channel 4 and has played a prisoner on the TV drama Time and most recently, an IT technician in Ludwig on BBC One (alongside David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin).
Sophie was also a contestant on series 17 of the comedy game show Taskmaster.
Here's what she wants people to take away from Alma's Not Normal season 2: "This series is much more about Alma finding her voice and confronting the injustices around her, so there’s definitely more rage in it. It’s bittersweet, because while Alma’s resilience and humour are still there, we don’t shy away from the reality that there’s no happy ending within a broken system.
"I hope viewers come away with a deeper understanding of the challenges people face when institutions don’t support them, but also with an appreciation for Alma’s fight. She’s not giving up, and while she might not get everything she deserves, she’s still carving out space for herself and finding her own strength. That mix of frustration and hope is really at the heart of this series."
Lorraine Ashbourne as Joan Nuthall
Alma's outspoken, chain-smoking, leopard print-loving grandma Joan raised her when her mother was unable to and the pair still regularly see each other.
Joan is played by Lorraine Ashbourne, who is best known for Sherwood, After The Flood, Bridgerton and the upcoming series Riot Women, (from the Happy Valley writer Sally Wainwright).
Speaking of playing a character with a couldn't care less attitude, Lorraine said: "It’s fantastic to play someone who’s really strong and confident but who’s clearly had a tough upbringing and who, underneath it all, is like a vulnerable child. She gets more and more outspoken and petulant as the series goes on, but we learn why she’s like she is when we get to meet more of her family and see how it’s shaped her rebellious streak.
"Joan is incredible, it’s a great part and I think she should run the country! We should all be a bit more Joan!"
Siobhan Finneran as Lin Nuthall
Lin is Joan's daughter and Alma's mother. Throughout her life, she has struggled with mental health issues and a heroin addiction, which meant that she was unable to look after Alma when she was young.
She is played by Oldham-born Happy Valley and Benidorm actress Siobhan Finneran, who also starred in Time (as a prison chaplain) will be starring in the upcoming ITV drama Protection, alongside Katherine Kelly.
"Lin is childlike emotionally and very fragile- her lack of self-editing is breathtakingly painful to watch at times but, of course, equally funny and shocking as she can be so blunt and honest - very often saying what everyone is thinking! I feel honoured to be playing her and cherish the scenes," says Siobhan.
"I would describe Alma’s Not Normal as a big pasty full of love so get stuck in!"
Jayde Adams as Leanne
Alma's best friend and confidant, Leanne, is a confident and sexually promiscuous Bristolian. She is described (by Alma) as having the “raw sex appeal of Debbie Harry but the mannerisms of a truck driver.”
Comedian and actress Jayde Adams plays her. Apart from Alma's Not Normal, you may recognise Jayde from the recent ITV sitcom Ruby Speaking, the musical-comedy Greatest Days (about a group of best friends who grew up obsessed with Take That) or as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022.
"Leanne doesn’t try to fit into anyone’s expectations, and that’s really refreshing. She’s unapologetically herself, which makes her both relatable and empowering. Leanne is played by me, so she’s fat and Sophie also took the time to incorporate my personal experiences as a fat person into Leanne’s character, asking me how I think someone in my position might react to certain situations or relationships and how I feel fat people are often portrayed in roles. It was such an incredible thing to be asked by the writer of a show -to have my experience genuinely heard. Many writers wouldn’t ask." said Jayde.
Nicolas Asbury as Jim
Actor, professional pianist and guitarist Nicolas Asbury is Jim, Lin's boyfriend, who she met during her stay at the psychiatric hospital.
You can find Nicolas in the film comedy film Brian and Charles, as well as the dramas Innocent,
Speaking to the BBC about the reaction he's received from playing Jim, Nicolas said: "Overwhelming and huge positivity. One of the best responses I got personally was when someone who'd worked in psychiatric hospitals wrote and said how we’d got Jim right. It proved to me that we were doing something important as well as funny."
What will happen in Alma's Not Normal series 2?
Here's what to expect, according to The BBC: 'Alma (Sophie Willan) is back in town and desperate for things to be different.
'She bags herself a talent agent, who turns out to be a bit of a blagger. She buys herself some new wheels, that she can’t afford. And she lands herself an acting role that is completely demoralising. It’s safe to say, things are not panning out for Alma.
'Meanwhile Lin (Siobhan Finneran) is back in hospital and has discovered a penchant for witchcraft. Jim (Nicholas Asbury) is living at Joan’s as her pet, and her best mate Leanne (Jayde Adams) has transformed a truck into a bar that’s become Bolton’s biggest hot-spot.
Just as Alma starts to settle back into her Bolton life, Joan (Lorraine Ashbourne) has some shocking news that’s going to change everything.'
Who wrote Alma's Not Normal?
Comedian and actress Sophie Willan created and wrote the sitcom Alma's Not Normal for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
Is Alma's Not Normal based on a true story?
Sophie Willan drew on her own life experiences to write the semi-autobiographical show, as just like her character Alma, she spent time in the care system, had a mother with mental health issues and drug addiction and also worked as an escort before becoming a writer and an actor.
To help people from a similar background get a foot in the door of the TV industry, the show ran a paid training scheme which spanned all elements of the show’s production.
“I do think it’s important to be changing the industry from the inside, isn’t it?” Sophie told The Independent. “There aren’t many opportunities for them to get in the industry; there isn’t the bank of mum and dad.”
Alma's Not Normal trailer
Where to watch Alma's Not Normal
You can catch up on series one of Alma's Not Normal on BBC iPlayer or NOW TV (with a Premium Subscription). It's also available to purchase on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and Apple TV.
Alma's Not Normal season 2 release date
Alma's Not Normal episode one will air on BBC Two at 10 pm on Monday 7th October 2024. The whole boxset will also be released onto BBC iPlayer on the same day.
Will there be another series of Alma's Not Normal?
Sadly, it seems that the second series will be the show's final run, although there will be an extra episode to enjoy over the festive period, Sophie Willan announced during her appearance on The Guilty Feminist podcast with Deborah Frances-White.
"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." she said.
"They have to not learn, that's the point. She's Del Boy at the end when he gets boring and rich."
Sophie's currently working on a new project about the Pendle with Dinnerladies star Maxine Peake.
"I just want to have some fun. Navel-gazing into your own trauma's quite knackering. I just want to have a nice time and write about witches burning at the stake."
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and spending time with her pet dogs, tortoise and chickens.