Netflix to Stream ‘Cunk on Cinema’: A Star-Studded Exploration of Film
Following the viral success of Cunk on Earth, Charlie Brooker’s iconic creation returns with a new episode tackling the history of movies.
By Ashley Hurst
@AshWHurst | September 14th, 2026 – 1:05 pm
Picture Credit: BBC
After the breakout success of Cunk on Earth, Diane Morgan reprises her role as Philomena Cunk to gain unique insights into cinema’s past, present, and future. She converses with some of the industry’s biggest names, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Bay, and more.
Upcoming Netflix Original: Cunk on Cinema
The critically acclaimed faux documentaries by actress Diane Morgan and Charlie Brooker (Black Mirror) are about to get a cinematic twist. The upcoming 3-part series, Cunk on Cinema, will be streaming soon on the BBC and Netflix.
Series Overview
This episode is described as Philomena Cunk’s "most glamorous" yet, as she explores the history of cinema from its beginnings in the 1960s New Wave filmmakers to the current era of AI-driven CGI. The official synopsis reads:
The three-part series will uncover the invention of the camera, to the New Wave filmmakers of the ’60s, right up to the entrance of CGI and what the future of AI holds. Cunk will attempt to demystify it all while sitting in lumpy seats with stale popcorn, asking herself where did cinema come from? And why? What does it want? And why can’t it tell us?
Cunk on Cinema is written by Charlie Brooker and Diane Morgan alongside a team of talented writers, including Ben Caudell, Erika Ehler, Eli Goldstone, Jason Hazeley, Dan Maier, Joel Morris, Michael Odewale, Kali Varghese, and Sam Ward. Al Campbell (Cunk on Life, Inside No. 9) directs all three episodes.
Guest Interviews
To gain a diverse perspective on cinema, Philomena Cunk converses with:
- Michael Bay: Known for his high-concept action and sci-fi films, including the Transformers franchise, Bad Boys, The Rock, and Armageddon.
- Benedict Cumberbatch: A British actor renowned for Sherlock, Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as critical acclaim for The Power of the Dog (2021) and The Imitation Game (2014).
- Daniel Pemberton: Oscar-nominated composer known for his work on Project Hail Mary (2026).
- Steven E. de Souza: Co-screenwriter of Die Hard, alongside Jeb Stuart.
- Seamus McGarvey: Oscar-nominated cinematographer famous for Marvel’s The Avengers (2012).
- Mark Kermode: Renowned film critic and commentator.
