The British have a long history of making comedies that are clever, strange, awkward, and often much darker than American productions. The unique comedy style can be seen in everything from sitcoms with bizarre characters to surprisingly emotional comedies. These shows are some of the best examples, whether they became worldwide hits or turned into cult favorites.
1. Fleabag
Fleabag follows a sarcastic and self-destructive woman trying to get her life together. She struggles to navigate family, relationships, grief, and her own questionable decisions in London. Phoebe Waller-Bridge created the series and stars in it. Most notably, she frequently breaks the fourth wall to address audiences directly, so viewers are always in on what her character is really thinking. The show is unique for being hysterically funny one minute and suddenly heartbreaking the next. At its core, it deals with pretty heavy themes of guilt, redemption, and grief. With only 12 episodes in total, Fleabag accomplishes more than most comedies do in multiple seasons.
2. The Office
Before America fell in love with The Office, there was the original The office, the much more understated and painfully British version of the beloved show. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant created the original series. Gervais plays David Brent, the painfully awkward manager of a paper company in the very basic town of Slough. The comedy almost always stems from Brent’s complete lack of self-awareness, as well as his desperate need to be liked. The mockumentary format makes it all feel very real, making every moment of silence equal parts funny and incredibly uncomfortable. The series was far too short, running for just two seasons, but its influence on television comedy has been huge.
3. Absolutely Fabulous
Edina and Patsy are two of the most memorable characters in British comedy. The duo spends the majority of the show drinking, smoking, shopping, and trying to stay hip and fashionable as they age. The series is constantly making fun of the fashion industry, celebrity culture, and the desperate desire to stay young. Edina’s practical daughter, Saffron, acts more like the parent in their relationship. Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley wholeheartedly commit to their characters and even their worst behavior is hilarious. The series was a major hit during the 1990s.
4. The IT Crowd
Set inside the mostly forgotten IT department of a big corporation, The IT Crowd centers on employees Roy and Moss, alongside their manager Jen. Roy and Moss are talented when it comes to technology, but socially, they have no clue. At the same time, Jen knows almost nothing about computers despite being their boss. The show makes ordinary workplace frustrations grow into the absurd quite quickly. The show’s running jokes, bizarre situations, and chemistry between the actors turned it into a cult favorite.
5. Blackadder
Rowan Atkinson is probably best known as Mr. Bean, but Blackadder gave him a very different kind of comedy role. Every season essentially reinvents the same group of characters in a new period of British history, and Atkinson plays different versions of the scheming Edmund Blackadder. In this way, the show is able to make fun of everything from royalty to war. The series is filled with insults, clever wordplay, and extremely dry humor. The fourth and final season is set during World War I and is maybe the best of the bunch.
6. Derry Girls
Set in Northern Ireland during the 1990s, Derry Girls follows a group of teenagers growing up during the final years of the Troubles. Though Northern Ireland is deep in political turmoil, teenagers will be teenagers. Erin and her friends are way more focused on school, crushes, parties, and trying not to embarrass themselves. That contrast between an intense political environment and ordinary teenage problems is where the show’s humor comes from. The series is funny without dismissing the seriousness of the time. Derry Girls is ultimately a warm coming-of-age story about growing up during an unusual time.
7. Peep Show
Peep Show takes viewers straight into the minds and uncomfortable thoughts of two roommates, Mark and Jeremy. The duo is played by David Mitchell and Robert Webb. The series uses a unique combination of point-of-view camera shots and internal monologues, telling audiences exactly what its characters are thinking. Lots of comedy comes from the fact that their thoughts are usually much worse than what they actually say. Mark is anxious and uptight, while Jeremy is irresponsible and a bit delusional. Neither is particularly good at anything, including basic decision-making. Their string of bad choices makes Peep Show laugh-out-loud funny.
8. Fawlty Towers
Despite having only 12 episodes, Fawlty Towers is still considered one of the best British sitcoms ever produced. John Cleese plays Basil Fawlty, the owner of a small hotel. His short temper and bad attitude are completely unsuited for the hospitality industry. He attempts to deal with demanding guests and employees, but he misses the mark every time. To make matters worse, his wife is much more capable than he is. The show mixes clever dialogue with wonderful physical comedy. Fawlty Towers is a defining show in British television history.