The best of British comedy

The UK is unquestionably home to some of the best comedy, but with so much choice you must be wondering where to start! To make this decision a little easier, we've rounded up some of the latest and greatest shows. Whether you're after a binge-worthy series or some side-splitting laughter, we've got you covered!

Here We Go 

Stream now on BBC iPlayer 

A witty, mockumentary-style family comedy that captures the chaos of everyday life through the lens of son Sam’s camera. From disastrous weddings to holiday mishaps and even a missing dog, the Jessops’ world is full of awkward, laugh-out-loud moments that feel all too real. Featuring an outstanding cast: Alison Steadman, Katherine Parkinson, Jim Howick, and Tom Basden. 

Motherland  

Stream now on BBC iPlayer 

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 🍅91% 

Anna Maxwell Martin is a national treasure, and her portrayal of Julia is pure comedy gold. Motherland dives into the chaos of modern parenting with sharp wit, awkward encounters, and forced smiles that will have you hooked from the first trumpet blast of its iconic theme tune. With an exceptional cast of frazzled mums and lovable dad Kevin, this show proves you don’t need kids to find it hilarious. It’s the kind of series you’ll wish you could watch for the first time all over again. 

Amandaland 

Stream now on BBC iPlayer 

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 🍅85% 

If you adored Motherland, say no more, we have found your new fave show! Lucy Punch is backk, and this time in the very stylish SoHa, aka Harlesden. Expect razor-sharp writing, laugh-out-loud chaos, and Amandad navigating life with her signature flair. The second series is on the way and we couldn’t be more excited!  

Daddy Issues 

Stream now on BBC iPlayer 

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 🍅100% 

Gemma’s life is in chaos; she is pregnant, homeless, and back living with her dad, Malcolm (David Morrissey), who’s far from a responsible adult. Together, they navigate parenthood and forge a heartfelt, often hilarious father-daughter bond while learning to live with each other as people. Starring the phenomenal Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education, The White Lotus), this warm, witty series reminds us that you can love the hell out of someone who isn’t perfect. 

Changing Ends 

Stream now on ITVX 

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 🍅100% 

At Freely, we cannot get enough of Alan Carr after his amazingggg performance on The Traitors. If you also adore this chatty man, Changing Ends is your perfect next new watch. With three whole series to watch, get to know Alan better through this auto-biographical sitcom taking you back to his childhood in the 1980s. Packed with nostalgia and sharp wit, it’s the perfect binge.  

Plebs 

Stream now on ITVX

If you loved The Inbetweeners and adore ancient history, this is the one for you! But don’t expect too much factual accuracy from this one… These plebs would definitely be best mates with the boys in The Inbetweeners, however they are centuries apart as Plebs takes us all the way back to Ancient Rome! Follow along as three young men navigate trying to climb the social ladder allll whilst trying to get girlfriends. You definitely didn’t hear about these guys in your history books.  

Starring: Tom Rosenthal, Ryan Sampson, Tom Basden and Joel Fry 

Friday Night Dinner 

Stream now on Channel 4

Join the Goodman family for their hilarious weekly Friday night dinners. This sitcom is the ultimate “just one more episode” watch, with brothers Adam (Simon Bird) and Jonny (Tom Rosenthal ) pulling endless pranks to their mum Jackie’s despair (Tasmin Greig ), dad Martin (Paul Ritter) often found shirtless causing chaos, and eccentric Jim (Mark Heap) and his dog awkwardly dropping by. A stellar cast, sharp humour and family dynamics that will leave you asking: Where’s our invite? 

Derry Girls  

Stream now on Channel 4 

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 🍅99% 

Set against the backdrop of the Good Friday Agreement, this sharp and heartwarming comedy follows a tight-knit group of teens, the girls (Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louisa Harland, Nicola Coughlan, and Jamie-Lee O’Donnellr) and James (Dylan Llewellyn), as they stumble into the most bizarre situations while growing up in Northern Ireland. From chaotic school days to unforgettable misadventures, their friendship shines through thick and thin. And of course, Sister Michael (Siobhan McSweeney) steals every scene with her no-filter attitude (we live by WWWSMD: What Would Sister Michael Do). Smart, hilarious, and full of heart. 

Peep Show

Stream on Channel 4

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 🍅96%

It’s the one, the only, award-winning sitcom, Peep Show! If you aren’t a huge comedy fan, this show can do no wrong! David Mitchell and Robert Webb star as two dysfunctional housemates in their late twenties, navigating life, love and their weird inner thoughts…

Miranda

Stream on BBC iPlayer

Prepare for side-splitting laughter with Miranda. This embarrassingly funny sitcom follows Miranda (Miranda Hart), a socially awkward 6-foot-tall woman whose entire life feels like a comedy. She fumbles her way through dating, work, and her overbearing mum’s attempts to “fix” her, all while failing spectacularly at every turn. It’s like Bridget Jones meets Mr. Bean, but with more accidental public nudity and a lot of “such fun!” moments! 

This Country

Stream now on BBC iPlayer

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 🍅99%

This documentary-style comedy is alllll about the lives and experiences of young people in modern rural Britain, following cousins Kerry (Daisy May Cooper) and Lee ‘Kurtan’ Mucklowe (Charlie Cooper). Despite high levels of unemployment, lack of opportunities and limited entertainment, there’s always fun and mischief–whether it’s the village’s scarecrow festival, friends attempting to start a business or many other antics. Life for Kerry and Kurtan is hilarious, slightly mischievous and packed with drama!

The Inbetweeners

Stream now on Channel 4

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 🍅83%

Welcome to the world of crushes, sibling brawls and getting way too drunk! This British coming-of-age comedy follows four extremely awkward sixth-form lads–Will, Simon, Jay and Neil–as they stumble through teenage life. Filled with extremely relatable moments, endless banter, and some truly cringeworthy mishaps, it’s a British teen classic!

Big Boys

Stream on Channel 4

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 🍅100%

This laugh-out-loud comedy is about grief, friendship, and all the chaos that comes with uni life. Big Boys explores the lives of two boys from very different ends of the masculinity spectrum who form an unlikely bromance! Following them through their three years at uni, get ready for iconic 2010s throwbacks, dodgy nights out and a lot of chaos! Starring Dylan Llewellyn and Jon Pointing.

Fleabag

Watch on BBC iPlayer

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 🍅100%

This brilliant comedy-drama dives into the hilarious life of a woman named Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) as she navigates her chaotic life with an extremely dysfunctional family all while dealing with past trauma, self-destructive behaviour and terrible life choices! This is a show that will make you laugh, cry and question your entire existence–all in about 30 minutes!

Man Like Mobeen

Stream on BBC iPlayer

Man Like Mobeen is a rib-tickling comedy following Mobeen (Guz Khan), a reformed roadman from Small Heath, as he tries (and mostly fails) to be a responsible guardian for his little sister, all whilst dodging trouble from his past! With brilliantly real characters and social commentary that will leave you crying with laughter, it’s a perfect mix of comedy, chaos and heart!

The IT Crowd

Stream on Channel 4

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 🍅85%

The IT Crowd follows socially awkward IT nerds Roy and Moss, and their technically clueless manager Jen, as they work in the dingy basement of Reynholm Industries. Full of ridiculous workplace antics, iconic one-liners, and pure British comedy gold, this show proves that turning it off and on again really is the answer to everyyyyything!

People Just Do Nothing

Stream on BBC iPlayer

If you’re not laughing after 5 minutes, we will be shocked! This mockumentary follows the lives of MC Grindah (Allan Mustafa), DJ Beats (Hugo Chewin) and their friends as they run Kurupt FM, a pirate radio station, chasing garage music fame with zero self-awareness and even less success!

Flowers

Stream on U

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 🍅100%

This dark poetic comedy follows the Flowers family: Maurice (Julian Barrat), an author; his wife Deborah (Olivia Colman), a music teacher; and their 25-year-old twins. As Maurice struggles with his inner demons and dark secrets, Deborah becomes increasingly suspicious of his behaviour! If you like a comedy with a dark twist, then this is the show for you!

And if you're looking for even moreee comedy recommendations then check out the best shows on ITVX and STV Player