Truly hilarious TV shows [1] can be hard to find, and there's no worse feeling than when you finish binging an exceptionally good series, only to struggle to find another that can make you laugh in the same way. Whilst some of us do occasionally enjoy a darker drama like "A Teacher" [2], true crime stories like "The Serpent" [3], or a psychological thriller like Netflix's "Behind Her Eyes" [4] series, nothing beats a 20-minute sitcom that has us crying tears of laughter at the most mindless of jokes. But with so many to choose from, how could you possibly decide on what's worth your time?
That's where we come in. While there's plenty of funny shows out there for you to spend your nights streaming, we're here to get into the best of the best that British comedy has to offer. Whether it's a small-town mockumentary like "People Just Do Nothing" that takes your fancy, an exposé into a family-run business like "Stath Lets Flats", or a passive aggressive drama about mean mums at the school gates like "Motherland" [5], there's something in here for everyone.
Read on to take a look at our pick of the funniest British sitcoms available to watch now.
"Stath Lets Flats"
A hilarious look into life at an estate agent's office, the BAFTA-award winning "Stath Lets Flats" follows the family-run Michael & Eagle Lettings as main characters Stath (played by Jamie Demetriou) and Sophie (played by Natasia Demetriou) struggle to impress their father — and the owner — Vasos. Expect to see some of the most ridiculous house viewings you could ever dream of, paired with relationship drama, awful musical numbers, and the office banter we're all currently in desperate need of.
Watch "Stath Lets Flats" on All4 [6] now
"Chewing Gum"
Starring Michaela Coel, "Chewing Gum" tells the story of the virginal Tracey, who was raised in a strictly religious Tower Hamlets flat. The series explores Tracey's rise to womanhood as she attempts to conquer her one goal: to have sex.
Watch "Chewing Gum" on All4 [7] now.
"Man Like Mobeen"
This three-season show follows Mobeen, a bit of an ex-criminal who's now trying to turn a new leaf and practise his faith, whilst looking after his younger sister, and struggling to keep his friends out of trouble. "Man Like Mobeen" seeks to shed some light on life in inner-city Birmingham and explores themes like family, friendship, and racism — all through the hilarious lens of comedian Guz Khan.
Watch all episodes of "Man Like Mobeen" on BBC iPlayer [8] now.
"Ackley Bridge"
While "Ackley Bridge" is a little heavier than some of these other shows and touches on some pretty serious issues, it's a heart-warming look at the coming together of two schools, and two cultures, with laughs along the way. Set in Yorkshire, the show explores topics like racism, drug abuse, sexuality, and family as two very different schools — with very different students — merge together to create a brand new community that eventually learns how to get on. Eventually.
Watch "Ackley Bridge" on Netflix [9] now.
"Motherland"
Even if you don't have kids, "Motherland" is a surprisingly relatable watch. It follows a group of posh mums, led by Lucy Punch who plays their snarky ringleader Amanda, as newcomers Kevin, Julia, and Liz (played by Dianne Morgan) remain on the outside looking in. It's exactly type of mundane reality that we're missing right now, and through mindless arguments about spaghetti bolognese and drop-off party etiquette, it easily manages to make you laugh from start to finish.
"Motherland" is available to watch on Netflix [10] now.
"Plebs"
Another BAFTA-nominated sitcom, "Plebs" is a look into suburban life in ancient Rome. Well, almost. It's very inaccurate. It stars "Friday Night Dinner"'s Tom Rosenthal alongside Ryan Sampson and Joel Fry, and follows three desperate boys trying to make a name for themselves in a big city, plus trying get laid in the process.
Watch the first two seasons of "Plebs" on the ITV2 Hub [11] now.
"This Country"
"This Country" is a hysterical mockumentary that follows cousins Kerry and Kurtan Mucklowe (played by real-life siblings Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper) as they share stories from their small town life in the Cotswolds. Expect entire episodes about TK Maxx, arguments about village scarecrow festivals, and a peek into the secret life of a town Vicar who has many hobbies.
"This Country" is available to watch on BBC iPlayer [12] now.
"Sex Education"
Netflix's comedy series "Sex Education" [13] follows a group of kids at Moordale High. The series sees main character Otis (played by Asa Butterfield) giving out sex advice to his peers, based on the knowledge he's taken from his mum, a qualified sex therapist.
Watch "Sex Education" on Netflix [14] now.
"Friday Night Dinner"
"Friday Night Dinner" follows a Jewish family from North London who aim to sit down together every Friday night and have a lovely family dinner. It sounds easy enough, except that pretty much every Friday, chaos ensues and poor mum Jackie (played by Tamsin Greig) struggles to keep her head above water. Whether its their bizarre neighbour Jim and his unusually large dogs causing trouble, or siblings Johnny and Adam Goodman (played by Tom Rosenthal and "Inbetweeners" star Simon Bird) playing pranks on each other, every "Friday Night Dinner" seems to involve a recipe for disaster.
Watch all seasons of "Friday Night Dinner" on All4 [15] now.
"Fleabag"
"Fleabag" stars Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sian Clifford, and Andrew Scott and is based on Waller-Bridge's one-woman show [16] from back in 2013. The series follows main character Fleabag as she navigates life and love in London, whilst trying to cope with loss and tragedy.
Watch "Fleabag" on BBC iPlayer [17] now.
"People Just Do Nothing"
Arguably one of the OG mockumentaries, "People Just Do Nothing" tells the story of pirate radio station Kurupt FM and follows their rise to the top (of failure, that is.) It stars Asim Chaudhry, Allan Mustafa, Hugo Chegwin, and Steve Stamp as they experience radio rivalries and relationship drama, all the while entertaining unlikely side hustles at their Brentford home in West London.
"People Just Do Nothing" is available to watch on BBC Three [18] now.
"Derry Girls"
Channel 4's "Derry Girls" [19] follows the lives of a group of friends in Northern Ireland in the '90s as they navigate the difficult political climate alongside the challenges of adolescence.
Stream "Derry Girls" on All4 [20] now.