# Funboys

Funboys is a Northern Irish comedy first broadcast on BBC Three as a short film on 26 May 2023. It was then followed by a four-episode series that was commissioned on BBC Northern Ireland and broadcast on BBC iPlayer and BBC Northern Ireland on 10 February 2025, BBC Three on 13 February 2025, and BBC One on 28 February 2025. The show is about three emotionally stunted young men in small-town Northern Ireland.

## Cast and characters

* Ryan Dylan as Callum: A young man who is timid, confused, sad, and afraid, but has a close bond with his two friends Jordan and Lorcan.
* Rian Lennon as Jordan: an emotionally insecure and selfish friend to Callum and Lorcan
* Lee R. James as Lorcan: a wise and kind-hearted young man who acts like a mother hen to Callum and Jordan.
* Ele McKenzie as Gemma: Gemma is the love interest of both Callum and Lorcan.

## Short film

The 14-minute short film was filmed on location in Northern Ireland. At the BBC Comedy Festival in May 2024, it was announced that the short film would be expanded into a four-episode series.

## Episodes

| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
| 1 | "Much Ado About Nuttin'" | Rian Lennon | Rian Lennon, Ryan Dylan | 10 February 2025 (2025-2-10) |
| While working at the local shop, Callum acquires his first-ever female admirer in the form of Gemma, who is new to town and seeking friends. Unfortunately, Callum's burgeoning relationship means that he no longer wants to play video games all weekend with the fellas. This is too much for Jordan to bear and the PSNI are called to restrain him (again). Despite Jordan's warnings about the devastating dangers of post-nut depression, Callum goes on his first-ever date. And things are going well until he gets an urgent call from Lorcan about a friend in peril: Jordan has jumped off a bridge in the village. |||||
| 2 | "Once Upon a Time in Ballymacnoose" | Rian Lennon | Rian Lennon, Ryan Dylan | 10 February 2025 (2025-2-10) |
| After a gas leak at his flat, Callum moves in with Lorcan and his dad, Sammy, aka the biggest git in Ballymacnoose. Driven by a desire to no longer be a pushover, and in a desperate attempt to get over his break-up with Gemma, Callum goes under Sammy’s wing and unleashes his own inner git. Meanwhile, Jordan's two dads are finally tying the knot, and Jordan is caught up in all the excitement of the wedding. But whilst Jordan's attention is focused on suit fittings and stag dos, Callum's transition to a bad boy has the potential to cause irreparable damage to the funboys' friendship. |||||
| 3 | "Pigs in Sleeping Bags" | Rian Lennon | Rian Lennon, Ryan Dylan | 10 February 2025 (2025-2-10) |
| With Callum now unwelcome at Boggins' farm and his flat still out of bounds because of a gas leak, Callum turns once more to his friend, Jordan. And things seem to be going well – Jordan's two dads show Callum some much-needed sympathy and introduce him to the foreign concept of "talking about his feelings." Unfortunately this new-found bond doesn't go down so well with Jordan. Meanwhile, Gemma brings home a pet and unwittingly causes Lorcan to relive some very painful memories. |||||
| 4 | "Friends Forever" | Rian Lennon | Rian Lennon, Ryan Dylan | 10 February 2025 (2025-2-10) |
| Gemma and Lorcan throw a party at Boggins' farm and it's the biggest social event in Ballymacnoose with a whole eight people attending. One of those attendees is Gemma's brother, David, who is tall, cool and very emotionally articulate. And weirdest of all, he seems genuinely interested in being friends with Callum. Meanwhile, Gemma finds one of her old personality quirks coming to the fore again as she struggles to maintain her identity amidst the Lorcan's old-fashioned country charm. And while Callum focuses on his new friendship with David, Jordan decides to branch out himself and become mates with Frank. |||||

## Production

Funboys was filmed with the support of Northern Ireland Screen. The story is by Simon Mayhew-Archer.
Show co-writer and co-creator Ryan Dylan stated that the show was inspired by "mundanity meeting melodrama. The idea of three young men navigating life with unfiltered emotionality, while being completely clueless about what any of it means. Deep feelings colliding with shallow understanding. Also, low self-worth. Desperation." Lee R. James, who portrays Lorcan, said that the show "was inspired by the lack of representation of the rural folk who wander these lands. The small towns we grew up in are filled with oddities that deserve the spotlight."

## Reception

Vicky Jessop of The Standard wrote that Funboys is as a "beautifully bonkers comedy" and a worthy successor to This Country. Jessop described it as "heartwarming and naff in 'equal measure, this tiny gem is well worth a few hours of your time." The Belfast Telegraph described the show as "not exactly Derry Girls but it’s beautifully bonkers" and "quirky and desperately bingeable."