Nicola Coughlan comedy to return to Channel 4

Channel 4 has renewed Nicola Coughlan comedy Big Mood for a second series.

The broadcaster says the first six episodes, which aired last April, made the show its most-watched new comedy since Coughlan’s breakthrough role, Derry Girls.

In Big Mood, Coughlan plays Maggie, a 30-year-old writer with bipolar disorder, with It’s A Sin star Lydia West as her best friend Eddie. However at the end of the last series Eddie walked out on their friendship after finding she couldn’t get the support she needed from as Maggie because of her struggles with mental health.

Season 2 takes place a year later – time that has passed without any contact between them. When Eddie suddenly returns for a wedding, she is with an ‘infuriatingly positive spiritual healer’ named Whitney. 

As well as its rating success, Big Mood had been praised its depiction of bipolar disorder on screen. 

Writer Camilla Whitehill said in an interview with the Radio Times to launch the first series: ‘I really don't think there's much you can't make funny… When we sort of classify something having to be treated really delicately and be really dramatic and sad, we're actually just contributing to its taboo. If we just bring it out to the light and treat it like anything else, that's better for everyone. ‘

‘When comedy writers or comedians say you can't talk about anything anymore, you can't be funny, actually it's extremely easy, you're just not good at being a comedy writer. You don't need to diminish something, but you can absolutely tease and make fun of anything, as long as you're doing it with love and care.'

She said of today's news about season two: 'I had no plan B and zero transferable skills so I am overjoyed to be bringing Big Mood back for another round!

'Discovering that there are actually loads of weirdos who like the same weirdo stuff as me has been a real privilege... My ongoing blackmail campaign against Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West continues in earnest. They’ll never escape me.'

Coughlan – who has become an in-demand star thanks to Bridgerton as well as Derry Girls – said Big Mood had ‘been one of the greatest joys of my life, adding she was ‘deeply grateful to everyone who loves our mad, funny, sad show.’

Channel 4 comedy boss Charlie Perkins added: ‘People really took to this zeitgeisty buddy-comedy with excellent central performances from Nicola and Lydia. 

‘Coupled with the heart and passion of all those involved in Big Mood, we’re excited to see how Camilla captures everything that people loved about the first series and beyond in series two.’

Here’s a clip from the first series, featuring Sally Philips as a psychiatrist.

Big Mood is made by The Responder and Dancing Ledge Productions and is directed by Rebecca Asher, who also oversaw the first series. Season 1 is available on Channel 4’s streaming service in the UK, on Tubi in the US and Canada, and Stan in the US>

Published: 10 Feb 2025