Stand-up scoops comedy writing gong

Sophie Willian has won a Bafta.

The comedian tonight won the craft award for best comedy writing for her pilot episode of Alma’s Not Normal. It’s rare for a pilot to be shortlisted for a Bafta, let alone win.

Fellow comic Jayde Adams, who co-stars as Alma's best friend Leanne, tweeted Willan’s reaction to the news, saying: ‘For some pure unbridled joy please watch this 2 minute video of when @sophiewillan wins a 2021 BAFTA for Comedy Writing for the Alma’s Not Normal PILOT.’

For some pure unbridled joy please watch this 2 minute video of when @sophiewillan wins a 2021 BAFTA for Comedy Writing for the Alma’s Not Normal PILOT. #almasnotnormal @BAFTA #bafta2021 #bafta #BAFTAAwards2021 #baftas pic.twitter.com/foP1UV013Z

— J A Y D E (@jaydeadams) May 24, 2021

She triumphed over Charlie Brooker, who had been nominated for Antiviral Wipe, Charlie and Daisy May Cooper for This Country and the writing team behind BBC One hit Ghosts.

The full series of the show is being shot in Bolton and Manchester this month by programme-makers Expectation.

Willan also plays the lead role, alongside  Lorraine Ashbourne, who plays her larger-than-life Grandma Joan and Siobhan Finneran, as her heroin-addicted mum.

In other categories, Small Axe, the drama mini-series about the lives of West Indian immigrants in London in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s won in five categories, and I May Destroy You, the drama series about a woman who seeks to rebuild her life after a sexual assault, won three gongs, including writing and directing awards for creator Michaela Coel.

Published: 24 May 2021