The Best British Comedies You've Never Heard Of
Fresh new funny things from across the pond and where to find them.
Yes. We've all heard about The Office.
Stay ahead of the curve by checking out these exciting new comedies coming out of the UK.
1. Stath Lets Flats
An estate agent is very bad at renting out flats, and sometimes struggles with his English. This very ordinary sounding premise is elevated to spectacular heights by great performances, smart gags and genuinely touching storylines. Some of the scenes are belly-achingly funny and it’s quite hard to explain why.
(Watch now on HBO MAX)
2. People Just Do Nothing
You may have heard of Stormzy, Skepta and Dave – now meet their botched dollar store counterparts. People Just Do Nothing chronicles the daily struggles of a wannabe crew of London MCs. Their speciality: UK garage in all of its macho bassline pomposity. Shot as a mockumentary, the show is as fun as it is cringe-inducing. A must watch for music fans.
(Watch now on Netflix)
3. Chewing Gum
Michaela Coel writes and stars as an ultra-religious 24 year old desperate to learn more about the world. Funny, raunchy and clever, her asides to camera are reminiscent of Phoebe Waller-Bridges’ Fleabag, but with a dash extra earnestness. For an even more up-to-date recommendation, her new series I Could Destroy You, is being released in the UK right now.
(Watch now on BritBox)
4. Young Offenders
Two Irish lads learn lessons the hard way as they try and become men in the sleepy city of Cork. Their adventures usually involve petty crime, ogling at girls and annoying their families. The show provides a unique twist on these age-old tropes by leaning heavily on time and place, showing how the characters are shaped by their circumstance. Good craic all round.
(Watch now on Netflix)
5. This Country
A glimpse of true Britain. Set in the Cotswolds – the English equivalent of Pennsylvania – This Country is a show about the details. Storylines are based around village halls, scarecrows, bowls clubs and missing pets. It’s heart-breaking, beautiful and laugh-out-loud funny in equal measure. Any UK viewer would instantly recognise its distinctive British sensbilities.
(Watch now on YouTube)
6. Flowers
Challenging but rewarding, Flowers is not your usual sitcom. Set in a tumbled down country house, the show tells the story of a family haunted by mental illness. The dark and serious subject matter is melded with surreal situational comedy to create something genuinely new and exciting. This is not a show to have on in the background.
(Watch now on Netflix)
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