Funboys

Beginning life as a 2023 short film, the titular trio of Funboys return for their very own four-part season on BBC. Emotionally stunted and in their mid-20s, Callum (Ryan Dylan), Jordan (Rian Lennon) and Lorcan (Lee R James) would rather spend their free time shut indoors playing LAN parties and eating chicken dippers than doing anything else, not that there’s much else to do in the rural Northern Irish town they live in. However, their nerdy status quo is shaken when Callum strikes up a relationship with Gemma (Elle McKenzie) in the opening episode, which threatens to drive a wedge between the lifelong friends. Though Funboys is incredibly short, its endearing yet oddball style of humour offers a finely tuned, far-too-brief outing.

Written by co-stars Dylan and Lennon, the show’s flavour of comedy is a combination of wholesome Northern Irish charm and deadpan silliness. Its peculiar tone isn’t going to win over everyone, but those who can get on board with what the creators are doing are bound to have as much fun as they are. While the trio’s social awkwardness is used as a frequent punchline, the script’s genuine attempts to touch upon some mental health issues give the show some added depth, which results in some surprisingly effective moments.

When all these components come together, Funboys is fantastic. Amongst all the shenanigans that the characters get up to, it’s the third episode that stands out as the best. Scenes of Lorcan talking to the cartoon ghost of a beloved hat-wearing pet pig from his childhood like something straight out of The Lion King perfectly captures the show’s eccentric sense of humour, while a subplot where Callum learns of the importance of talking about his feelings leads to some touching interactions, neatly tying the episode up in a cathartic bow.

A handful of running jokes and a loose narrative throughline lend the series a broader overarching narrative. With only four episodes to work with, though, there’s hardly any time available to do much with it. These four episodes act more as a taster for what the show aims to be, and by the time audiences make it to the end, they’ll be wanting to spend more time with these loveably weird characters.

Andrew Murray

Funboys is released on BBC NI and BBC iPlayer on 10^th February 2025 and on BBC Three on 13^th February 2025.