Every nationality comes with a distinct sense of humor, from the absurdist jokes of France to the nonstop slapstick of America. In the grand scheme of things, the United Kingdom is no exception to this universal rule of comedic antics. Possessing a notably drier comedic style, British TV series specialize in toeing the line between comedy and drama, delivering a tidal wave of laughs even as they introduce more thought-provoking subject material as well. From classic sketch series to modern dramedies, these are some of the finest TV shows to come out of the U.K., delighting audiences across the pond and beyond.
Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Perhaps the most revolutionary series to exit from Old Blighty, Monty Python’s Flying Circus forever changed how audiences looked at sketch comedy, influencing countless international series in the process (including Saturday Night Live, South Park, and, surprisingly, Wallace and Gromit). Breaking all the rules when it came to the traditional sitcom format, Monty Python habitually employed every branch of humor in their surreal sketches, from political satire and clever wordplay to slapstick and niche genre parodies. Without the Pythons’ contributions to pop culture, who knows what the current state of TV comedy might be like–although it’s doubtful it would be as rich, intelligent, and laugh-out-loud funny as it is today. Watch Monty Python’s Flying Circus on Netflix.
Blackadder
A rare TV show that significantly improved over time, each new season of Blackadder somehow managed to surpass everything that came before it. Divided into four succinct narratives, Blackadder traces the misadventures of the titular Blackadders–a historical family that somehow always manage to find themselves at the wrong place at the wrong time. With historical settings ranging from Elizabethan England to the trenches of World War One, Rowan Atkinson pioneered a series as brash, crass, and unapologetically funny now as it had been in the 1980s. Watch Blackadder on Hulu and Britbox.
Fawlty Towers
Leaving Monty Python behind at the end of Flying Circus’s third season, John Cleese set out to reinvent the traditional sitcom with his ambitious solo project, Fawlty Towers. Opting for a more farcical tone as opposed to the absurdist presentation of Monty Python, Cleese managed to create his own distinct TV series with Fawlty Towers, inhabiting all the core characteristics found within tried-and-true British television (dry humor, morally dubious characters, etc.).
Fleabag
Among the finest sitcoms of the 2010s, characterizing Fleabag as a comedy series is a lot like describing Moby Dick as a book about a whale. Forever eluding clear-cut distinctions in regards to its specific genre, Phoebe Waller-Bridge constructed a unique piece of television with Fleabag, flawlessly blending dark comedy with sobering moments of drama. Though a mere two seasons in length, every episode of Fleabag gauged audiences’ emotion in a way few shows were able to, leaving us breathless with laughter moments after getting us to sob uncontrollably. Watch Fleabag on Prime Video.
The Office
Audiences with a faithful love for its American remake might find themselves scratching their heads when looking back at the original British version of The Office. But in 2001, showrunners Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant managed to revitalize the mockumentary genre with their series, paving the way for numerous American successors like Parks and Recreation, Modern Family, and Abbott Elementary in the decades that followed. Providing an intimate look at an ordinary office environment, The Office’s mundane humor and cringe comedy made it a series well ahead of its day and age. Watch The Office on Hulu and BritBox.
Mr. Bean
After ushering in the rowdy and unconventional dark comedy Blackadder, Rowan Atkinson attempted to construct a more approachable and family-friendly sitcom–a feat he soon accomplished with Mr. Bean. Harking back to the glory days of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, Mr. Bean provided an unorthodox throwback to early silent comedy, as seen through its title character’s wordless adventures across contemporary England. Utilizing more physical comedy in lieu of verbal jests or biting satire, Mr. Bean’s universal appeal helped the series win widespread acclaim across the globe, matching the popularity of other British exports like Monty Python or Fawlty Towers before it. Watch Mr. Bean on Prime Video, Hulu, BritBox, and FreeVee.
Only Fools and Horses
One of the longest-running TV series in all of British television, Only Fools and Horses aired intermittently from 1981 to 2003, spanning a grand total of seven seasons and 64 wonderful episodes. An endearing portrait of life in London’s working-class communities, Only Fools and Horses provided a narrative most audiences could relate to throughout the ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s, allowing for a show as warm-hearted as it was hilarious. Traipsing between energetic comedy and more cathartic sequences, Only Fools and Horses never failed to hold viewers’ interests throughout its 22-year-run. Watch Only Fools and Horses on BritBox.
