Thanyia Moore, Dave Spikey and Ben Willbond to appear in Sophie Willan’s sitcom

Comedians Thanyia Moore, Dave Spikey and Ben Willbond have joined the cast of Sophie Willan’s sitcom Alma’s Not Normal.

Chortle last week reported how filming had begun on the six-part series in Bolton and Central Manchester, following the success of a pilot last year.

Now the BBC has officially confirmed the show’s return with the core cast all coming back. Willan, who wrote the semi-autobiographical series, plays Alma with  Siobhan Finneran  as her mum Lin; Lorraine Ashbourne as her Nan Joan, Jayde Adams as Alma’s best friend Leanne, James Baxter as Alma’s ex-boyfriend Anthony and Nicholas Asbury as Jim.

The roles of the new cast members have not been revealed.

Willan said: ‘I’m delighted that filming is under way for series one of Alma’s Not Normal, and even happier to be working alongside such a fantastic group of actors!

‘We can’t wait for audiences to learn more about Alma’s world and the eclectic mix of characters that surround her.’

Last week, this week the cast and crew were spotted at work at Bolton Library, and before that at the high-rise Hilton hotel in Manchester’s Deansgate.

In an Instagram post, Willan said: ‘I’ve done quite well with his script because I’ve basically been like, "she’s in posh fancy hotel and looking fabulous" - I’ve just got that in it loads which means I get to look fabulous and mince around.’

Nerys Evans, executive producer for progamme-makers Expectation, added: ‘We’re delighted to be making a full series of Alma’s Not Normal, after such a wonderful response to the pilot.

‘Sophie is an incredible talent - she is such a gifted writer and performer and has written something that feels both utterly modern and yet timeless.’

No broadcast date has yet been announced for the comedy, which is produced by  Gill Isles and directed by Andrew Chaplin.

The BBC says 'Alma’s Not Normal offers a bitingly funny and unflinching take on class, sexuality, mental health and substance abuse' and 'celebrates women dealing with the hands they’ve been dealt while doggedly pursing their dreams'.

Here's a clip from the pilot:

Published: 10 May 2021