The flagship five-part series charting the history of the UK from the Big Bang to Brexit.
Concludes the series by bringing the story into the 21st century and the impact of Brexit . Where to Watch The availability of the series varies by region: UK: Available on BBC iPlayer .
: Focusing on the Magna Carta and the concept of "The Dark Ages" (which she suggests was just because no one turned the lights on). The Tudors and Stuarts
Britain is an island full of weather, history and rules. It sits at the edge of Europe and sometimes forgets to wave. People there speak English, which is the only language dense enough to say “sorry” sixty different ways and still be polite about it. Britain has been important for so long that when they were done making other countries, they made tea. Cunk on... Britain Complete Pack
| Ep. | Title | Original Air Date | Summary | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | "Beginnings" | 3 April 2018 | Philomena starts at the very beginning—a very good place to start, apparently. She explores the Big Bang, interviews the legendary Robert Peston about British politics, and wrestles with our prehistoric past. | | 2 | "The Empire Strikes Back" | 10 April 2018 | Her odyssey continues as she navigates from the tumultuous reign of King Henry VIII to the heroic naval victories of Lord Horatio Nelson. Expect malapropisms and mangled timelines galore. | | 3 | "The Third Episode" | 17 April 2018 | This is the episode where she presumably covers the Industrial Revolution and the British Empire. The title itself is a perfect, low-effort joke that somehow works. | | 4 | "Twentieth Century Shocks" | 24 April 2018 | Philomena examines the early 20th century, a period she notes had "two world wars but no world cup." She tackles the great upheavals of the modern era with her signature finesse. | | 5 | "The Arse End of History" | 1 May 2018 | The grand finale. Philomena has finally made it to the 21st century and the ultimate modern mystery: Brexit. This episode contains some strong language, as the absurdity of the journey reaches its peak. |
However, the magic of the character lies in the gap between her professional delivery and the absolute absurdity of her scripts. Cunk approaches monumental historical events with the casual, misinformed confidence of someone who skimmed a Wikipedia article five minutes before filming.
The character of Philomena Cunk , portrayed by Diane Morgan , has become a staple of British satire. Originally developed for Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe The flagship five-part series charting the history of
Cunk delivers grand, sweeping statements about historical events that completely miss the point. She filters monumental historical shifts through the lens of mundane, modern trivialities—often comparing world-shaping events to things she saw on daytime television or a conversation she had with her fictional friend, Paul.
Diane Morgan's portrayal of Cunk is masterful. She delivers completely ridiculous lines with total sincerity and a completely flat expression, often leaving her interviewees struggling to keep a straight face. 2. The Satire of Documentary Tropes
The success of Cunk on... Britain lies entirely in the performance of Diane Morgan. Her ability to keep a completely straight face while delivering surreal, often profoundly silly lines is unmatched. : Focusing on the Magna Carta and the
Science, Education and the NHS Britain is proud of its universities, which are places that teach young people to argue and to be excellent at wearing scarves. The National Health Service is a miracle: healthcare run as a public service where people queue with dignity and occasionally receive stitches and advice in the same visit. The NHS is beloved and treated as if it is simultaneously a national family member and a slightly inconvenient relative.
Yes, that is the actual title. The Third Episode focuses on the Victorians and the Industrial Revolution. She is joined by naturalist Chris Packham, who tries desperately to explain evolution to a woman who believes wolves were invented in a lab.
For those interested in exploring the world of Cunk, you can watch these series on Netflix or look for streaming options on BBC iPlayer.