Comedy fans have declared their top picks for the best British sitcoms of this decade.
A discussion sparked by a Reddit user received over 400 comments from people sharing their favourite TV shows, with many naming a hidden gem that they believe deserves more ‘love.’
The social media thread, which is titled ‘Funniest British sitcoms of the past ten years?’, was started by a TV enthusiast who enjoyed popular sitcoms in the noughties, but had not tuned in to recent released. Seeking assistance from others on the platform, the user wrote: “So I thought I’d come here and ask you what did I miss in the past 10 years? What [are] some of the funniest sitcoms from Great Britain?”
Friday Night Dinner
One of the most frequent answers was Channel 4’s Friday Night Dinner, which hit screens from 2011 to 2020.
The family comedy follows brothers Adam (Simon Bird) and Jonny (Tom Rosenthal) Goodman, who visit their parents every Friday night for dinner.
It boasts a stellar cast, including Tamsin Greig, who takes on the role of the siblings’ eccentric mother, Jackie. The ensemble is completed by late actor Paul Ritter, who portrayed the family patriarch, Martin.
Sharing their adoration for the series, one person penned: “I thought I was going to burst an organ watching the dead fox episode for the first time. Brilliant show.”
Friday Night Dinner is available to stream for free on Channel 4
This Country
This Country was similarly raved about in the discussion. The BBC mockumentary sees cousins Kerry and Kurtan Mucklowe, as they navigate their seemingly boring lives in a small Cotswolds town.
Although its premise is simple, the comedy has been praised for being relatable and true-to-life. It stars real-life siblings Charlie and Daisy May Cooper, who are also the show’s writers.
First hitting screens in 2017, This Country has only released 20 episodes. Despite only having a handful of episodes, the sitcom has managed to bag three BAFTA Awards.
This Country is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer
Derry Girls
It’s no secret that Channel 4’s Derry Girls has built a cult following. However, fans on Reddit were divided on whether it can be classed a British sitcom.
Although the period series is set in Northern Ireland, it was produced by London-based company Hat Trick Productions and debuted on Channel 4, which viewers believe earns it a spot on the British sitcoms list.
It follows five teenagers as they navigate growing up in the mid-90s, during the Troubles. The comedy stars Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan, alongside Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louisa Harlan, Jamie-Lee O’Donnell and Dylan Llewellyn.
Across its three-season run, Derry Girls won three BAFTA Awards. It also received overwhelming praise from viewers, with one person on Reddit beaming: “Derry Girls was absolutely tremendous!”
Derry Girls is available to stream on Netflix and Channel 4
Here We Go
Although TV fans predominantly named well-known sitcoms, there was one hidden gem series that they claimed deserves more attention.
First aired in 2022, Here We Go is set to release its third season this year. The BBC comedy tracks the everyday lives of the Jessop family, from failed romances to the challenges of job hunting.
Peep Show fans will be thrilled to learn that the comedy stars Jim Howick, who played Gerrard in the Channel 4 series. He is joined by Freya Parks, Tom Basden and IT Crowd’s Katherine Parkinson.
Vouching for the little-known series, one Redditor penned: “Can’t believe how little love Here We Go gets. It’s so well put together and the sheer density of jokes is incredible, not to mention how great the cast is.”
Here We Go is available to stream on BBC iPlayer