Cunk on Cinema, Philomena Cunk’s new three-part series about the history of film, streams on Netflix on Sunday, November 15, 2026, three days after it premieres on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two in the UK and Ireland on November 12. Diane Morgan stars as the deadpan interviewer, Charlie Brooker leads the writing team, and guests include Michael Bay and Benedict Cumberbatch. This guide covers the release date, guests, episodes and trailer.
Last updated on November 11, 2026.
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Cunk on Cinema at a Glance
| Detail | Cunk on Cinema |
| Netflix | Sunday, November 15, 2026 |
| UK and Ireland | From November 12, 2026 on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two |
| Episodes | Three |
| Star | Diane Morgan as Philomena Cunk |
| Lead writer | Charlie Brooker, with a writing team that includes Diane Morgan |
| Director | Al Campbell |
| Guests | Michael Bay, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Kermode, Daniel Pemberton, Steven E. de Souza, Seamus McGarvey |
| Subject | The history of cinema, from the camera to CGI and AI |
How to Watch Cunk on Cinema
In the US, Cunk on Cinema streams on Netflix from November 15. In the UK and Ireland, the series premieres on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two on November 12, and the Netflix release follows. Netflix availability and dates in other countries can differ, so check your local Netflix listings.
What Is Cunk on Cinema About?
Philomena Cunk, played by Diane Morgan, is the mockumentary interviewer who asks real experts confidently silly questions. In this series she turns to film history, starting with the invention of the camera and early cinema, then moving through the 1960s New Wave and the arrival of CGI to the future of filmmaking, including the rise of AI.
It follows Cunk on Earth, the 2022 five-part series about the origins of humanity’s greatest inventions, and Cunk on Life, a 2024 special that earned Morgan an Emmy nomination for writing.
Who Is in Cunk on Cinema? Star and Guests
Diane Morgan returns as Philomena Cunk. Her interview subjects include Transformers director Michael Bay and actor Benedict Cumberbatch, along with these experts:
- Mark Kermode: film critic
- Daniel Pemberton: composer
- Steven E. de Souza: screenwriter of Die Hard
- Seamus McGarvey: cinematographer
Philomena Cunk
Photo: P. Lovell, CC BY-SA 4.0
Guest
Photo: Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 4.0
Guest
Photo: Romina Espinosa, CC BY-SA 3.0
Guest
Photo: Amy Martin Photography, CC BY-SA 4.0
Cunk on Cinema Trailer
Netflix has released the official trailer for the series, which features Cunk’s interviews with guests including Michael Bay and Benedict Cumberbatch.
More to Watch on Netflix This Month
Netflix has a busy November. The horror hit Obsession arrives on November 17, the reality competition Win the Mall on November 18, The Trials of Karen Read follows on November 23 and the football war drama The Mosquito Bowl lands on November 25. See the Netflix Top 10 this week and our best TV shows to watch in November 2026 for more.
Cunk on Cinema FAQ
When does Cunk on Cinema come out on Netflix?
Sunday, November 15, 2026.
When does Cunk on Cinema air on the BBC?
The series premieres on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two in the UK and Ireland on November 12, 2026.
How many episodes are in Cunk on Cinema?
Three.
Who stars in Cunk on Cinema?
Diane Morgan stars as Philomena Cunk.
Who wrote Cunk on Cinema?
Charlie Brooker leads a writing team that includes Diane Morgan, and Al Campbell directs.
Who are the guests on Cunk on Cinema?
Michael Bay, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Kermode, Daniel Pemberton, Steven E. de Souza and Seamus McGarvey, among others.
What is Cunk on Cinema about?
Philomena Cunk asks film experts about the history of cinema, from the invention of the camera to the 1960s New Wave, CGI and AI.
What are the earlier Cunk series?
Cunk on Earth in 2022 and the special Cunk on Life in 2024.
Photo credits via Wikimedia Commons: Diane Morgan by P. Lovell (CC BY-SA 4.0), Benedict Cumberbatch by Harald Krichel (CC BY-SA 4.0), Michael Bay by Romina Espinosa (CC BY-SA 3.0) and Mark Kermode by Amy Martin Photography (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped and edited versions on this page are shared under the same licenses. If you are the rights holder of an image and would like it removed or credited differently, see our terms of service or contact us.
Sources: release dates, episodes, writers and guests are from the BBC and Netflix announcements as reported by What’s on Netflix, TheWrap, JoBlo and Boston.com. This page is not affiliated with the BBC or Netflix.
