Funboys first look images revealed for series 2, including Steve Coogan

The BBC has revealed first look images from the upcoming second series of the award-winning comedy Funboys, also announcing that award-winning actor Steve Coogan will be joining in a guest role. Made by Mayhay Studios, the production company run by the BAFTA-award winning creator of This Country and writer of Can You Keep A Secret? Simon Mayhew-Archer, Funboys Series 2 is a 4 x 30’ made for BBC Three, BBC Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer, with support from Northern Ireland Screen.

The soft bellied boys of Ballymacnoose are back. After last year, tackling the weight of grief, suppository drugs and being a bastard, the gang have come out the other side all grown up. Callum’s (Ryan Dylan) trying out a lovely perm, Gemma (Ele McKenzie) and Lorcan (Lee R James) are smooching seven times a day, and it's been four months since Jordan’s (Rian Lennon’s) last full throated screaming strop with his Daddies. Things are bright in Ballymacnoose.

But dark clouds loom! The gang belatedly get involved in Irish history and it's all down-hill from there. Bigotry, balding and competitive robot combat, if they aren’t careful the funboys are about to become the doneboys. Aghh!

Will the soft kindness of their teletubby hearts overcome the scars of the past? Is Jordan losing his hair or is it, as he insists, just a double crown? Are the close-minded people of Ballymacnoose ready for Lorcan to explore previously uncharted territory in the love department? Is Lorcan even ready? Who’s exploring Lorcan’s departments? Aghh!

The new series follows the Funboys of rural Ballymacnoose as they flounder their way into adulthood. But can these silly fellas finally put their big man pants on?

Returning cast members also include Brian Devlin, Owen Colgan, Paul Bazely and Richard Croxford. Alongside Steve Coogan, Nicky Harley, Saorlaoith Brady, Lalor Roddy, Donal O’Hanlon and Amanda Doherty have joined the cast of this series. Steve Coogan plays Phillip, a frustrated actor who’s ended up at a folk museum playing part of the landed gentry. Pompous, cruel and petty, the line between Phillip and the land steward he plays is a very thin one and his role at the folk park is more just an excuse to let his pungent sadism run riot.

Executive Producer, Simon Mayhew-Archer of Mayhay Studios says: "Funboys is not a television series, it's a state of mind. We're extremely grateful to the BBC for helping us transmit such profound messaging to the wider public."

Rian Lennon, says: “If Funboys Season One was a freshly born fawn, skittering around in its own amniotic sack, then season two is a sinewy young buck galloping through forests thick, leaping into the unknown and screaming 'Hawwwwww!'”

Ryan Dylan, says: “Please take your time with Funboys Series 2. Enjoy every suck, smack and sniff, and allow this succulent comedy to slide down your gullet and into your soul.”

Funboys Series 2 (4 x 30’) is a Mayhay Studios production for BBC Three, BBC Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer, with support from Northern Ireland Screen. The series is written by Rian Lennon and Ryan Dylan, who serve as Executive Producers. Simon Mayhew-Archer also serves as an Executive Producer. The Director is Rian Lennon and the series is produced by Lauriel Martin. The series was ordered by Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy and Eddie Doyle, Senior Head of Content Commissioning for BBC Northern Ireland. Commissioners for the BBC are Navi Lamba, Seb Barwell and Jason Butler.

Broadcast information for Funboys Series 2 will be announced in due course.

• Watch Funboys on BBC iPlayer

EH2

Follow for more