Diane Morgan, aka Philomena Cunk, returns to Netflix and the BBC with a new mockumentary, Cunk on Life, this time tackling the meaning of life. Following the huge success of her 2022 series Cunk on Earth, which showcased her signature deadpan humor, expectations were high for her latest project – and it’s now finally available to stream. The new year is off to a great start, courtesy of the streaming giant! Just 48 hours into 2025, they’re already delivering exciting content to keep subscribers entertained.
Cunk on Life marks a departure from Philomena Cunk’s previous series, adopting a single, long-form mockumentary approach that surprisingly enhances the exploration of life’s biggest questions. As Philomena delves into the complexities of human existence, we’ll be sharing our in-depth review of the special. So, keep reading to find out if Cunk on Life hits the mark!
Diane Morgan Returns as Philomena Cunk
Philomena Cunk is much more curious in Cunk of Life compared to Cunk on Earth, which means she’s prepared to ask all sorts of existential questions. In her introduction, she talks about the mountains and valleys, but more importantly, who granted the planning permission for these important parts of nature. Of course, her signature style of delivery remains a constant in this mockumentary, so if you have missed some good ol’ Philomena, she’s back, and better than ever.

What is the point of it all? We all ask ourselves this question every now and then, but it takes courage to actually go out and find these answers, and that’s exactly what Philomena intends to do in his 70-minute-long mockumentary as she takes us around the universe. In Chapter 1, “Creation,” our gracious host sits down with a professor from the University of Cambridge – Douglas Headley. This is the first of many interviews in Cunk on Life, which is also one of the best elements.
We certainly weren’t expecting to hear the term “Christian cinematic universe,” but as Philomena tackles religion first, anything is possible. She also interviews Rupert Sheldrake, a scientific and spiritual author, and asks him the biggest question of all – “Is there a God?” It is safe to say that Philomena doesn’t hold back in the mockumentary and asks questions that have stayed on the tip of our tongues for centuries now. While Cunk on Life is entertaining, it often feels a little too similar.

Philomena also draws a comparison between Moses and Mrbeast, which is yet another unexpected yet hilarious bit from this mockumentary. Overall, Cunk of Life has some brilliant moments that go beyond the benchmark we had set in our minds, however, it could have been a little more different from Cunk on Earth. Building on the success of its predecessor, this mockumentary sequel largely delivers, though some tweaks to its format could have elevated it to even greater heights.
Cunk on Life masterfully balances entertainment and education, as Diane Morgan‘s signature deadpan humor takes center stage alongside insightful interviews and fascinating facts. The result is a hilarious and informative watch that perfectly encapsulates Morgan’s unique brand of comedy, once again bringing Philomena Cunk to life with wit and charm.

Conclusion
If you’re looking for answers about the universe but don’t want to read a heavy philosophy book, we recommend tuning into Cunk on Life, which is now available on BBC iPlayer and Netflix!