BBC orders a second series of Northern Irish comedy

The BBC has ordered a second series of its Northern Irish comedy Funboys, it has been announced at the broadcaster’s comedy festival in Dublin.

The series, filmed in rural Northern Ireland, started as a BBC Comedy short film before securing a full series commission which launched  in February this year, with the reviewers calling it ‘some of the most fearless comedy in years’ and ‘beautifully bonkers’.

Now four more episodes have been commissioned from Mayhay Studios, the production company set up by This Country producer Simon Mayhew-Archew.

The recommission was announced at the BBC Coemd Festival in Belfast today.

It is written by its stars Rian Lennon and Ryan Dylan, and directed by Lennon, with Lee Dobbin completing the core cast.

Dylan said: ‘Series Two is here. We’ve learned nothing, grown less and legally can’t be left alone. Funboys forever.’

Lennon says: ‘Our show is like what if the Teletubbies took off the dang suits and got real for a second. We don't pull punches, we've written a show that’s hard as rocks. And if you don't like it you can jog the frigging hell on.’

Eddie Doyle, head of commissioning for BBC Northern Ireland, said: ’It’s a real treat to be able to serve audiences another portion of Funboys with Ryan, Rian and Lee. This backs our commitment to giving a platform to new comedy voices and local talent, and we can’t wait to see what the boys from Ballymacnoose have up their sleeves for series two.

» Chortle’s review of Funboys

Made by: Mayhay Studios for BBC Three and iPlayer
Written by: Rian Lennon and Ryan Dylan
Directed by: Rian Lennon
Executive producers: Rian Lennon, Ryan Dylan, Simon Mayhew-Archer.
Commissioned by: BBC director of comedy, Jon Petrie and BBC head of commissioning for Northern Ireland, Eddie Doyle
Commissioning editors: Navi Lamba, Seb Barwell, and Jason Butler 

Published: 21 May 2025