If there’s one thing our friends across the pond are good at, it’s comedy. There’s just something about British TV comedies that tickles the funny bone. Perhaps it’s because I have a dry sense of humor or I’ve not-so-secretly wished I was British. Recently, I’ve fallen down the British TV rabbit hole. Quarantine has granted me an overabundance of time on my hands.
Below, I’ve compiled a list of my personal favorite British TV comedies, in no particular order. Peruse at your peril.
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Catastrophe
Catastrophe is a comedy series from the creative minds of Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan. It centers on Rob (Delaney), an American abroad in London for a business trip. He has a hot and steamy week-long tryst with Sharon (Horgan) while there. After discovering that Sharon is pregnant, Rob relocates to London. Shenanigans ensue. Antics transpire. Both Delaney and Horgan offer wonderfully layered performances. Catastrophe manages to balance levity and tragedy with aplomb. Oh, and there are plenty of funny bits that parents will enjoy.
The Thick of It
Before Peter Capaldi was traveling in the TARDIS as the 12th Doctor on Doctor Who, he played the foul-mouthed Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It. The Thick of It is about as dry as you can get in terms of humor. It follows a group of government employees as they attempt to navigate the political landscape, dealing with plenty of scandal along the way. Capaldi’s Malcolm is gruff, coarse, and armed with the mouth of a sailor. However, you can’t help but love him anyway. The Thick of It is devilishly funny, equipped with intelligent jokes and side-splitting performances. British humor at its finest.
Fresh Meat
If you love Jack Whitehall, you’ll love college comedy Fresh Meat. It’s chock full of relatable characters and all-too recognizable college tropes. You’ve got the nerd, the prep school rich kid, the punk girl, the pompous poet, and the equally pompous wanna-be musician donning a soul patch. The show plays around with said tropes in a fun way. Fresh Meat never takes itself too seriously. Zawe Ashton is phenomenal as Vod. She’s cheeky and unabashedly bold.
Coupling
Before running Doctor Who, Steven Moffat spearheaded a lighthearted sitcom called Coupling. I like to think of it as the “Friends“of the UK. Both shows aired around the same time as well. Coupling is your typical whimsical sitcom complete with live audience laughter. It’s just plain entertaining. Much of the show takes place at their local pub. The characters are utterly endearing and relatable. You’ll find yourself laughing those blues away with this classic British comedy.
Misfits
Ah, Misfits. The show that introduced us to the tremendous talent that is Robert Sheehan. Misfits was really my first foray into British TV. It popped that cherry. While Misfits has plenty of dramatic moments and beautifully acted scenes, there’s much more comedy than tragedy. Sheehan in particular has some of the most outrageous lines you’ll ever hear on a TV show. Despite his crude humor and attention-seeking behavior, you find yourself growing attached to him. Misfits is clever, witty, and rife with supernatural malarkey.
IT Crowd
“Did you try turning it off and back on again?” That’s the mantra of the core three characters on IT Crowd. This show also boasted a live studio audience. Oh, and you may recognize Matt Berry as Laszlo on What We Do in the Shadows. He’s the polar opposite of Laszlo in IT Crowd, proving that Berry is a versatile and engaging performer. Everyone knocks it out of the park on this show. IT Crowd is a loving, playful homage to nerds. To me, it achieves what The Big Bang Theory failed to accomplish.
The Toast of London
Yes, I have a crush on Berry. So sue me! The Toast of London is a brilliant satirical look into serious actor Steven Toast’s fizzling career as a London performer. Berry oozes charm in this. The Toast of London is a unique beast — occasionally, the characters will burst into song for seemingly no discernible reason. I dig that. There are plenty of running jokes throughout the comedy’s tenure. Berry is, once again, one funny fellow.
Bad Education
Here’s another Jack Whitehall-led British TV comedy. Bad Education follows teacher Alfie as he attempts to navigate school life with a slew of raging adolescents. Alfie is a pretty poor teacher, who generally slacks off and coasts his way through his lessons. However, his burgeoning bond with his students over the course of the series is hilariously touching. Inevitably, Alfie learns more from his students than they do from him. Bad Education proffers a style of humor that’s not for everyone — some may think of it as more “crass” than wholesome. I suggest not watching this show with your young ones.
Vicious
Ian McKellen! Derek Jacobi! Ramsay Bolton from Game of Thrones a.k.a. Iwan Rheon! Vicious is simply adorable. This sitcom focuses on Freddie Thornhill (McKellen) and Stuart Bixby (Jacobi), an older couple who’ve been together for nearly fifty years. Rheon plays their handsome young neighbor Ash from upstairs, while Frances de la Tour portrays their feisty best friend Violet. Vicious is an outpouring of love and rainbows and unicorns. It’s cotton candy on a sunny summer day. In addition, it’s viciously funny and chock full of beautiful performances from the core cast.
The Inbetweeners
The Inbetweeners follows four best friends and their antics as they complete their final years in school. You know, teenage boys and all the dilemmas therein. The Inbetweeners is legitimately laugh-out-loud funny and rife with bizarre scenery you won’t see elsewhere. While it may not resonate for non-teenage boys, just remember that we were all teenagers once. Those experiences tend to be universal. The Inbetweeners will remain timely and relevant for years to come as new generations discover it.
What are your favorite British TV comedies? Sound off in the comments below!
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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