British Comedy Shows You Must Watch!
British Comedy Shows are superior! I love British television. Their actors do not have such long contracts that they can never be killed off. And even though my favorite of anything is usually “more,” it is probably better that the British series rarely go past nine episodes a year!
Please add your favorites in the comments! I am always looking for recommendations, and will at some point subscribe to Acorn TV for more British TV!
These are all binge worthy. There are others that I have yet to enjoy, but people love, such as Black Adder, The IT Crowd, and Peep Show, among others. Mine is an amazing list, but perhaps not 100% definitive. Also, I prefer shows from this century.
Absolutely Fabulous is one of the most brilliant satires ever written. Started in the early 1990’s, and ended with the recent full length movie. The series is my favorite comedy of all time. Started from a French & Saunders skit!
Mrs. Browns Boys is hilarious. They break the fourth wall constantly and it is brilliant. It is like a sit-com, but has a studio audience like a play.
Gavin & Stacey (HBOMax) is a beautiful and hilarious comedy co-created by James Corden.
Coupling (HBOMax) is a brilliant comedy based around the sex lives of three male and three female leads in their 20’s. This original British version (the Americans tried to copy it and failed) is brilliant with it’s terrific nuances and story lines.
Mum is a sweet story, labeled a comedy, and had me hooked from the first minute.
Benidorm is funny and crazy. A nice distraction. I am currently on season three and it gets hilariously crazier every season.
Keeping Up Appearances, starring Hyacinth Bucket, pronounced Bouquet. When you are almost posh in Britain, and your family isn’t! This is a classic.
The Vicar of Dibley from Dawn French is charming and witty and a delightful comedy.
Father Ted, haven’t seen this one in yea, but enjoyed it back in the day.
Derry Girls (Netflix) (Irish)! Everyone is discovering this show and it is a delight.
Catastrophe – he got her knocked up and a sweet, funny story ensued.
Fleabag – the first season had too much sex, but overall, this is an extremely entertaining comedy.
Afterlife (Netflix) with Ricky Gervais – even my husband enjoyed it, and we never agree on entertainment. I never saw the Office, or loved any of Ricky other stuff, but this is fantastic.
Chewing Gum (HBOMax) – a little crazy, very enjoyable.
Chef, is another from the olden days, very charming comedy! He was married to Dawn French!
Good Omens was brilliant and hilarious.
Barbara – funny show about Barbara and her family!
Kath & Kim – Australian, very funny!
Last Tango in Halifax – a couple from high school reunite and get married. Drama and hilarity ensue.
Boy Meets Girl – And girl is a transexual. Absolutely charming show.
Flack – Anna Paquin stars, but this is a British show. It’s like Scandal, but on steroids, and a little trashier. So in a word, riveting!
Kate & Koji – It is as bad as any American comedy, but it stars Brenda Blethyn who I adore, and Jimmy Akingbola, and it deals with current immigration issues that are important.
The Durrells in Corfu – it took weeks to get through the first episode, and I am glad I did, I love this show, it is worth the binge!
Man Down – starring Greg Davies, a huge British comedian. Also co-starring comedienne Roisin Conaty.
Scarborough – it hasn’t gotten great reviews, but I enjoyed it. He also created Benidorm, one of my faves!
We Are Lady Parts – This series follows the adventures of an all-female Muslim punk band in London. This is ground breaking.
Sex Education – this show took me a few episodes to get into, but then I binged two seasons in three days. I can’t wait for season three in September, 2021!
Ted Lasso – was worth the Apple TV free trial!
Vicious – Free on Tubi. Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi as a bitchy gay couple. The script wrote itself, nothing special, but brilliantly funny with this entire cast.
Turn Up Charlie – Netflix Original with Idris Elba. Cute and funny. An enjoyable quick binge. Did I mention Idris?
The Detectorists – Charming three season series about metal detector folks.
Monday, Monday – One season of a funny office show. Tom Ellis (Lucifer) is in this, as well as Miranda Hart, and the next year they stared together for several season on The Miranda Hart show!
NEW ADDITIONS:
Ackley Bridge – leaving Acorn at the end of September, this drama/comedy is fantastic!
Mount Pleasant – Six seasons, and fantastic. Took a few episodes, then I became completely invested in the characters and the plot lines. Loved this show!
Not Going Out – Lee Mack writes and stars in this and he is a great comedian. Also, Miranda Hart is here!
Agatha Raisin – murders weekly in the Cotswold! Funny and entertaining, season four is coming!
Sando – Australian, very funny!
Motherland – all about parents with school kids. People love it, I thought it was OK.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries. You know her from Mt. Pleasant, you know him from Benidorm, and guess who is from Mrs. Brown’s Boys! I totally enjoyed this show.
You, Me & Them – on Acorn/Prime Video – Eve Myles (Torchwood) and Anthony Head (Buffy, The Vampire Slayer) co-star in this funny two season series about an older man and a younger woman’s relationship, and their judgmental families.
Sketch Comedy:
Catherine Tate – she is brilliant, her sketches are amazing, she is so talented. She was also a Doctor Who companion and she was great. I think she was in a few seasons of the American version of The Office.
Miranda Hart – her own little comedy show, this is adorable. And Tom Ellis, of Lucifer fame, is her love interest!
Little Britain – a classic from Matt Lucas and David Walliams. It was so good, they did a season from America.
British Panel Shows With Comedians:
Would I lie To You – absolutely hilarious.
8 Out of Ten Cats Does Countdown – there’s math and vocabulary, and somehow it is hysterically funny.
8 Out Of Ten Cats – Current events type of show.
Mock The Week – also current events like.
QI – A show about information, and yet, they make it entertaining and funny. I love those Brits!
The Fix – it is an American Netflix show, but hosted by American comedian Jimmy Carr, with another British comedian as a team Captain, Katherine Ryan.
Here is my British Science Fiction and Supernatural post for your perusal as well.
I definitely see a binge worthy show. Thank you
I see a show. Thank you
Great shows!
Excited at the chance to win giveaway
A MUST SEE SHOW!! WOOHOO!!
Thank you
I used to love watching absolutely fabulous my sister and I were the Latina version Whooo! Cheers Daling #BritishComedy
I have watched all seasons of this show. I loved it!!
Great list…thanks for sharing! I’ve watched a few but am also on the lookout for new shows to watch.
If you haven’t seen “The Other One”, (Acorn) it’s a MUST! Season 2 just came out!