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Emma Moran

Emma Moran is a Northern Irish screenwriter and comedian from County Fermanagh, best known for creating and writing the comedy series Extraordinary, which ran for two seasons on Disney+ and Hulu from 2023 to 2024.^[1]^[2]^[3] Raised in the rural countryside of Northern Ireland, Moran returned to her childhood home during the COVID-19 lockdown in spring 2020 while completing her MA in screenwriting at the University of Manchester.^[4]^[5] Her script for Extraordinary—a satirical series exploring a world where nearly everyone has superpowers except the protagonist Jen—won the inaugural Thousand Films scriptwriting competition, leading to its production by Sid Gentle Films and a BAFTA nomination for Best Scripted Comedy.^[4]^[1] Prior to this breakthrough, she performed stand-up comedy and contributed writing to projects like Famous First Dates.^[4]^[6] Moran's rising profile includes upcoming adaptations such as the Netflix series How to Kill Your Family, based on Bella Mackie's novel and starring Anya Taylor-Joy, and the BBC/ZDF co-production Honey, a six-part darkly comedic Cold War thriller set in 1982 East Berlin.^[1] Now based in London, her work often draws on personal experiences, blending humor with themes of identity and societal expectations, as seen in Extraordinary's exploration of millennial life and unfulfilled potential.^[7]^[4]

Early life and education

Upbringing

Emma Moran was born around 1995 in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, in the rural village of Killadeas near Enniskillen.^[8]^[7] She grew up in this scenic, countryside environment, which provided a quiet backdrop to her early years.^[8] Moran attended Enniskillen Collegiate Grammar School, completing her secondary education there before transitioning to higher studies.^[8] Her early exposure to comedy was shaped by surreal British and Irish television programs, including Father Ted and Brass Eye, as well as American sitcoms like Friends and Parks and Recreation, which informed her developing sense of humor and storytelling.^[9]

University studies

Emma Moran attended University College London (UCL) for her undergraduate degree, marking a significant transition from her rural upbringing in Fermanagh to the urban environment of London.^[8] During her time at UCL, she began performing stand-up and sketch comedy, which helped develop her comedic skills through live performances and university events.^[8] Following her undergraduate studies, Moran pursued postgraduate education at the University of Manchester, completing an MA in Screenwriting in 2020.^[5] In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, she returned to her family home and developed the initial concept for her debut television series Extraordinary as part of her master's program, later describing it as her "lockdown baby," crafted alone with her laptop over an extended period.^[4]^[7] This period of isolation in her childhood bedroom provided a reflective space that influenced the show's themes of personal growth and ordinary struggles.^[4] This solitary creative process, amid the global pandemic, marked a pivotal moment in channeling her interests toward professional writing. Her MA coursework not only refined her screenwriting techniques but also positioned her to transition from performance-based comedy to professional writing.^[5]

Career

Comedy beginnings

Emma Moran began her comedy career during her undergraduate studies at University College London (UCL) in the mid-2010s, where she started performing stand-up comedy as a way to explore her creative voice. This period marked her initial transition from academic life to the entertainment industry, drawing on personal experiences to craft material that resonated with her peers. Her early performances focused on relatable themes, helping her hone skills in timing and audience engagement before shifting toward writing.^[10] In 2017, shortly after graduating, Moran co-created and performed the sketch comedy show Galpals with partner Sarah King at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The duo's production, which examined friendship through quirky sketches and handmade props, received positive attention for its colorful, lighthearted take on interpersonal dynamics. This debut at one of the world's premier comedy festivals solidified her commitment to sketch comedy and provided valuable exposure in the competitive live performance scene.^[11] Moran's motivations for entering comedy were deeply rooted in her Northern Irish background and the millennial anxieties of navigating young adulthood, including feelings of directionlessness and societal pressures to achieve milestones. Growing up in rural County Fermanagh, she channeled these elements—such as cultural identity and the quest for purpose amid uncertainty—into her work, viewing comedy as a tool to validate everyday struggles without sentimentality. To bridge her live performance experience with scripted writing, she pursued an MA in screenwriting in Manchester around 2019-2020.^[4]^[10] In 2019, Moran joined the BBC's Comedy Room development group, a selective program that supported emerging writers through script feedback and industry networking; she was one of 19 selected from thousands of submissions. This opportunity, occurring amid her MA studies, allowed her to refine her comedic style in a structured environment, emphasizing character-driven humor informed by her personal insights.^[12]

Television writing

Following her graduation from University College London, Emma Moran began her professional writing career in London by contributing to short-form comedy content for production company The Hook, including sketches that garnered tens of millions of views on platforms like Facebook and YouTube.^[10] In September 2017, she joined the writing team for Famous First Dates on Facebook Watch, where she worked until January 2018, focusing on observational comedy segments that captured the awkward dynamics of celebrity dating scenarios.^[6] Moran's early television credits also encompassed other Hook projects, such as Group Chats (September to December 2017) and Savage Alexa (January 2018), which honed her skills in quick-witted, dialogue-driven scripting suitable for digital formats.^[6] These roles marked her transition from unpaid university-era performances to paid professional gigs, building a portfolio of pilot-like short content during her initial years in the industry. In 2019, Moran was selected for the BBC Writersroom's Comedy Room development scheme, a competitive program that received 2,728 script submissions and provided workshops, mentorship, and pitching opportunities to emerging writers.^[10]^[12] This initiative facilitated her exposure to industry executives and refined her approach to television scripting. Her shift from stand-up comedy to scriptwriting was significantly influenced by her MA in Screenwriting at the University of Manchester, which she completed in 2020 and during which she developed key projects.^[5] Moran's background in live performance informed her emphasis on naturalistic, dialogue-heavy writing, drawing from the improvisational energy of her earlier stand-up routines.^[13]

Breakthrough projects

Emma Moran created and wrote Extraordinary, a superhero comedy series that premiered on Disney+ in the United Kingdom and Hulu in the United States on January 25, 2023. The show was renewed for a second season on January 23, 2023, ahead of its debut, and the second season premiered on March 6, 2024; however, Disney+ canceled the series after two seasons on January 17, 2025.^[14]^[15] The concept for Extraordinary originated in spring 2020, during Moran's MA in screenwriting amid the COVID-19 lockdown, when she returned to her childhood home and began developing the idea of a world where nearly everyone acquires superpowers at age 18, except the protagonist Jen, whose lack of abilities serves as a metaphor for millennial struggles with identity, purpose, and quarter-life crises.^[4] Disney+ greenlit the project in April 2021 as part of its initial UK scripted slate, with Moran serving as co-executive producer alongside Sid Gentle, the production company behind Killing Eve.^[16]^[14] In Season 1, the series follows Jen Regan (played by Máiréad Tyers), a 25-year-old navigating her powerlessness in a society obsessed with abilities, as she grapples with grief over her mother's death, complicated flatmate dynamics, and romantic entanglements while desperately seeking her own superpower, culminating in her decision to attend a specialized clinic.^[17] Season 2 picks up with Jen at the Discovery Clinic, where she undergoes therapy-like sessions to unlock her potential amid escalating personal turmoil, including strained friendships and revelations about her boyfriend's feline transformations; the season explores deeper character arcs for Jen's circle—such as Carrie's ethical dilemmas with her mind-reading power and Kash's family pressures—before ending on a major cliffhanger involving Jen's possible breakthrough.^[18]^[19] Production took place in London, with filming for Season 1 occurring primarily in 2022 at studios and locations around the city, allowing Moran to infuse the series with a distinctly British sensibility of wry humor and social commentary. The ensemble cast features Tyers as the sardonic Jen, alongside Sofia Oxenham as her telepathic best friend Carrie, Bilal Hasna as the optimistic Kash, and Luke Rollason as the shape-shifting Jizzlord, with supporting roles by Siobhán McSweeney and Patricia Allison.^[20]^[14] Extraordinary received critical acclaim for both seasons, earning a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 25 critics for Season 1 and maintaining a perfect score for Season 2, with reviewers lauding its sharp wit in addressing mental health, imposter syndrome, and the pressures of young adulthood through the lens of absurd superpowers.^[21]^[22] The series' cultural impact lies in its fresh subversion of superhero tropes, resonating with audiences for portraying vulnerability as a relatable "power" in an era of performative perfection, and it garnered a BAFTA nomination for its innovative storytelling—though details on awards are covered separately. Following the success of Extraordinary, Moran adapted Bella Mackie's 2020 novel How to Kill Your Family into a Netflix limited series, announced in August 2024, with Anya Taylor-Joy starring as the protagonist Grace Bernard, a young woman seeking revenge against her estranged billionaire father. Moran serves as writer, showrunner, and executive producer, with production handled by StudioCanal and Taylor-Joy's company; as of November 2025, the series is in development following the settlement of a related copyright lawsuit in October 2025.^[23]^[24] In March 2025, the BBC and ZDF commissioned Honey, a six-part darkly comedic Cold War spy thriller created and written by Moran, set in 1982 East Berlin. The series follows MI6 deep-cover agent Marta as she navigates espionage, romance, and danger while evading the Stasi; produced by Sid Gentle Films, it is slated for release in 2026.^[25]

Awards and recognition

BAFTA nomination

In 2024, Emma Moran received a nomination for the British Academy Television Award for Scripted Comedy for her work as writer and creator of the Disney+ series Extraordinary.^[26] The nomination, announced on March 20, recognized the first season of the show, which premiered in January 2023 and established Moran's distinctive approach to comedy.^[27] The accolade underscored Moran's unique voice in British comedy, where she skillfully blends superhero tropes with intimate personal storytelling to explore themes of everyday millennial life and self-doubt.^[28] Critics praised this innovative fusion, noting how Moran's writing infuses the genre with "lively goofiness that can turn either sweet or sour on a dime," setting Extraordinary apart from conventional superhero narratives.^[28] Although Extraordinary did not win—the award went to Such Brave Girls—the nomination served as significant peer validation shortly after the season's release, affirming Moran's emergence as a fresh talent in television writing.^[29] This recognition propelled Moran's career forward, opening doors to additional high-profile projects, including an adaptation of Bella Mackie's novel How to Kill Your Family for Netflix and a darkly comedic spy thriller for BBC One.

Other accolades

Moran's work on Extraordinary received widespread critical acclaim for its innovative blend of superhero tropes with relatable millennial struggles and irreverent humor. The Guardian praised the first season as a "fun, effortless watch" that delivers a fresh perspective on genre comedy, highlighting its sharp wit despite occasional clichés.^[30] For the second season, the outlet lauded the series for elevating "superhero shenanigans to sublime heights of silliness" while balancing profundity and crudeness, underscoring Moran's ability to infuse depth into absurd premises.^[31] IndieWire echoed this sentiment, noting that the show, written by Moran, "finds something way more interesting in a new form of everyday life" by subverting traditional superhero narratives.^[28] Beyond the BAFTA nomination, Extraordinary garnered additional industry recognition, including a win for Best Comedy Programme at the 2023 Broadcast Digital Awards, affirming its impact in the digital streaming landscape. The series also won the RTS Programme Award for Scripted Comedy in 2024.^[32] Prior to the series' debut, Moran was nominated for the Industry Judges Award at the 2019 Comedy Crowd Shorts festival, an early nod to her emerging comedic voice in short-form content.^[33] The show's popularity extended to fan communities, sparking grassroots efforts following its cancellation in January 2025. Multiple petitions on Change.org, including one urging Disney+ to renew for a third season that amassed signatures highlighting the series' 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, reflected strong audience support and acclaim for Moran's storytelling.^[34] Another petition directed at Hulu emphasized the void left by the show's end, underscoring its cultural resonance among viewers.^[35] These initiatives, launched in early 2025, demonstrated the enduring fan-driven appreciation for Extraordinary's unique take on comedy.^[21]^[22]

Personal life

Interests and influences

Emma Moran's creative influences are rooted in a blend of British and Irish comedies, including Spaced, The Mighty Boosh, Father Ted, and Brass Eye, alongside American sitcoms such as Friends and Parks and Recreation. These works inspire her approach to surreal humor, strong ensemble dynamics, and satirical elements, particularly in subverting superhero tropes through everyday absurdities. Her Northern Irish perspective on identity, informed by her rural upbringing in Enniskillen, Fermanagh, often infuses her writing with themes of cultural displacement and authenticity, as seen in her portrayals of Irish characters navigating life in London.^[9]^[10] Central to her interests are millennial and Gen Z experiences, including mental health, relationships, and societal pressures to achieve extraordinary feats in an ordinary world. She draws from the isolation of lockdown periods to explore these, emphasizing anti-aspirational messages that celebrate contentment and "being okay" amid feelings of inadequacy.^[9]

Public persona

Emma Moran is recognized in the public eye as a witty and self-deprecating Northern Irish writer and comedian, whose humor draws from surreal British and Irish comedic traditions.^[36] Her breakthrough with the Disney+ series Extraordinary (2023) positioned her as a fresh voice in television comedy, blending superhero tropes with relatable millennial struggles, which she credits to her lockdown experiences in Northern Ireland.^[4] Moran frequently emphasizes collaboration in interviews, highlighting her pride in the cast's ability to infuse warmth and physical comedy into her scripts, reflecting a humble and team-oriented public image.^[7] In media appearances, Moran comes across as passionate yet surprised by her success, admitting early drafts of her work felt "just a bit s**t" until key twists elevated them, underscoring her self-aware approach to creativity.^[36] She advocates for representation of "ordinary" people, using her platform to challenge myths of perfection and explore themes like mental health and friendship through flawed characters, as seen in her discussions around Extraordinary's anti-hero narrative.^[9] This aligns with her influences from shows like Father Ted and Seinfeld, which she cites as shaping her dark yet affectionate humor style.^[9] Moran's public persona also extends to her engagement with fans and media, where she shares insights into her process—such as elaborate gag ideas for superpowers—while focusing on authentic storytelling over celebrity.^[37] At 30 years old in 2025, she maintains a low-key presence, and is noted for her detail-oriented yet practical decisions in showrunning, like trimming elaborate gags for narrative depth.^[37] Her Fermanagh roots inform a grounded, relatable demeanor that resonates with audiences seeking escapist yet introspective comedy.^[1]

References

[1]
Fermanagh writer pens 'darkly comedic' spy show for BBC - RTE
Mar 29, 2025 · Fermanagh writer Emma Moran pens 'darkly comedic' Cold War thriller for BBC in the wake of Extraordinary success · RTÉ Lifestyle & Entertainment.Missing: screenwriter biography<|separator|>
[2]
Emma Moran - Writer, Producer - TV Insider
Mar 5, 2024 · Emma Moran is a Northern Irish writer and comedian hailing from County Fermanagh. She gained prominence as the creator and writer of the 2023 Hulu comedy ...
[3]
Extraordinary's Emma Moran reveals the true message of hit show
Jan 24, 2023 · In spring 2020, Emma Moran was working on her MA in screenwriting and spending the Covid lockdown as many of us were: back in her childhood ...
[4]
Screenwriting Graduate's comedy show 'Extraordinary' greenlit for ...
May 18, 2021 · Emma Moran, who completed an MA in Screenwriting at The University of Manchester in 2020, has had her original comedy show Extraordinary greenlit for Disney+.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[5]
Emma Moran | Creative | The Talent Manager
Credits ; Writer / Famous First Dates / Facebook Watch / The Hook / Sep 2017 to Jan 2018 ; Writer ; Production Title: Famous First Dates. Company: The Hook.Missing: screenwriter | Show results with:screenwriter
[6]
VIP meets Irish screenwriter & Extraordinary creator Emma Moran
Jan 26, 2023 · The comedy series is the brain child of 28-year-old writer Emma Moran. She sat down with pen in hand to create this hilarious series in 2020.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[7]
Disney + Extraordinary: Creator Emma Moran talks about new show
Apr 26, 2021 · Emma Moran (27), writer of 'Extraordinary', describes the new programme as “somewhere in between a sitcom and a comedy drama".Missing: upbringing | Show results with:upbringing
[8]
Emma Moran on her Disney+ comedy Extraordinary - NationalWorld
Jan 24, 2023 · Screenwriter Emma Moran discusses writing her new Disney+ sitcom Extraordinary, her creative influences, and moreMissing: childhood Northern
[9]
The two talented Fermanagh writers making waves in drama and ...
Mar 5, 2020 · Emma Moran, a writer and comedian, who is also originally from Enniskillen, is part of the Comedy Room development group and was selected ...Missing: upbringing | Show results with:upbringing
[10]
Galpals: Because At The End Of The Day, That's What We'd Like To ...
Colour coordinated galpals Emma Moran and Sarah King, explore the meaning of friendship through the mediums of poorly made hats and sketch comedy.
[11]
The Comedy Room Writers - BBC
Feb 12, 2020 · Emma Moran is a Northern Irish writer and comedian. Usually based in London, she is currently living in Manchester completing an MA in ...
[12]
Fermanagh screenwriter is nominated for BAFTA
Apr 12, 2024 · Emma's screenwriting journey began when she went to university in London. “I started doing live comedy when I went to university and then I ...
[13]
'Killing Eve' Sid Gentle Greenlit By Disney+ For 'Extraordinary' S2
Jan 25, 2023 · ... Killing Eve' Sid Gentle has been greenlit by Disney+ for 'Extraordinary' season two ... Emma Moran and Killing Eve producer Sid Gentle ...
[14]
'Extraordinary,' 'Shardlake' Not Renewed at Disney+ - Variety
Jan 17, 2025 · Disney+ UK originals “Extraordinary” and “Shardlake” will not be returning to the streamer for further seasons, Variety has learned.
[15]
Disney+ Sets UK Scripted Projects - Deadline
Apr 15, 2021 · ... Extraordinary, a Star comedy series from new talent Emma Moran. ... They were commissioned by Liam Keelan, vice president of original ...
[16]
'Extraordinary' Season 1 Recap — What to Remember Ahead of ...
Mar 5, 2024 · Extraordinary focuses on Jen (Máiréad Tyers), a struggling 25-year-old in a world where everyone develops a superpower when they turn 18.Missing: quest | Show results with:quest
[17]
Extraordinary season 2 ending explained: Where could Jen be?
Mar 6, 2024 · The final episode begins with Jen being locked out of the power clinic after "fraternising with" (snogging) her power coach, George. George ...
[18]
'Extraordinary' Season 2 Ending Explained — Does Jen Find Her ...
Mar 10, 2024 · The season ends with Jizzlord happy with his new friends and ready to forge a whole new life for himself.
[19]
'Belfast's Máiréad Tyers Leads U.K. Disney Plus Series 'Extraordinary'
Dec 1, 2021 · 'Belfast's' Máiréad Tyers Tapped for New U.K. Disney Plus Comedy Series 'Extraordinary' ... Written by newcomer Emma Moran (“Have I Got News for ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[20]
Extraordinary: Season 1 - Rotten Tomatoes
Rating 100% (25) Season 1 is the best season, so far. The reasons I'm writing this review are to help renew the show for a third season and to show my love for this series. I ...Missing: reception | Show results with:reception
[21]
Season 2 – Extraordinary - Rotten Tomatoes
Season 2 of Extraordinary builds beautifully on the charm and chaos of its first, diving even deeper into the lives of its hilariously imperfect characters. The ...All CriticsCritic ReviewsSeason 2, Episode 1ExtraordinaryExtraordinary Stories Behind ...
[22]
Television Awards - Bafta
Find out the winners and nominees of this year's BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises ... Emma Moran; Toby Macdonald; Sally Woodward Gentle; Lee Morris ...
[23]
Nominations Announced for the 2024 BAFTA Television Craft ...
Mar 20, 2024 · 17 out of 44 nominees in the performance categories have received their first BAFTA Television Awards nomination, including Amit Shah (Happy ...
[24]
'Extraordinary' Review: Hulu Gets a Different Comedy ... - IndieWire
Jan 24, 2023 · With barely a superhero in sight, this Emma Moran-written series finds something way more interesting in a new form of everyday life.
[25]
Winners announced for the 2024 BAFTA Television Awards with ...
May 12, 2024 · Following Kat Sadler's win at the BAFTA Television Craft Awards last month, Such Brave Girls won in Scripted Comedy.
[26]
Extraordinary review – help, my bum has become a 3D printer!
Jan 25, 2023 · Extraordinary is a fun, effortless watch – and though there are some hackneyed scenes, like a regrettable call to the non-boyfriend while on pre ...
[27]
Extraordinary season two review – does anal 3D-printing count as a ...
Mar 6, 2024 · The sparky comedy show that takes superhero shenanigans to sublime heights of silliness is back – and this time, it's as profound as it is crude.
[28]
Extraordinary (TV series) - Wikipedia
It received generally positive reviews, and was renewed for a second season on 23 January 2023, ahead of the series premiere. Season 2 became available to ...Emma Moran · Máiréad Tyers · Luke Rollason · Sofia Oxenham
[29]
Emma Moran - British Comedy Guide
Emma Moran is a Northern Irish writer. Credits Personal info Awards All mediums TV Radio Online Live All roles Actor Executive Producer Other
[30]
Petition · Renew Extraordinary for a 3rd Season - Change.org
Jan 26, 2025 · I just learned today that the third season of Extraordinary was cancelled. This is unacceptable! Both seasons presently has a 100% rating on ...
[31]
Petition · Urge Hulu to Renew "Extraordinary" for a Third Season
Feb 20, 2025 · Despite the show's popularity, Hulu has not yet green-lighted a third season, leaving a gaping hole in our tv-watching routines and hearts.Missing: 3 | Show results with:3
[32]
Extraordinary creator admits sitcom was 's**t' before twist
Jan 27, 2023 · Series creator Emma Moran developed the series while completing her Screenwriting Masters in Manchester, and revealed how she was inspired ...
[33]
Extraordinary showrunner forced to cut 'elaborate' running gag from ...
Mar 5, 2024 · Extraordinary creator Emma Moran had to cut one of her best running gags from the second season of her hit Disney+ show.