British comedy is always able to toe the line between goofy and wry, sentimental and snappy. Through slapstick pandemonium or razor-sharp satire, these programs haven’t just made generations laugh—they’ve defined the entire landscape of TV comedy. From period pieces to contemporary favorites, here are ten British (and Irish) comedy series that left a lasting impact on viewers and continue to shape storytellers worldwide.
1. Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em
Few sitcoms are as unapologetically British—or as sidesplittingly chaotic—as Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em. Michael Crawford’s Frank Spencer is one of comedy’s greatest inventions: accident-prone, well-meaning, and eternally lovable. Whether he’s accidentally blowing up his house or ruining a family dinner, Frank’s slapstick mishaps provided pure escapism. Crawford’s brazen physical comedy, combined with Michelle Dotrice’s tolerant Betty, formed a dynamic that remains beloved decades on.
2. Fabulous
Bold, brassy, and utterly in excess, Absolutely Fabulous rewrote the book on what women’s comedy could be. Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley created Edina and Patsy icons—two unapologetically self-absorbed women staggering through life in a haze of fashion, stardom, and too much champagne. The show’s sharp commentary on celebrity culture, combined with its ballsy sense of humor, made it a cult hit and set the stage for edgier female-led comedies everywhere.
3. The Young Ones
Forget neat punchlines and guffaws—The Young Ones was noisy, chaotic, and utterly unpredictable. Filmed in a ramshackle student flat, the show burst with punk attitude, violence, and dreamlike cutaways (not to mention musical numbers by real bands). Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, and the rest of the cast redefined the sitcom rules, ushering in the age of alternative comedy in Britain and making anarchy equal comedy gold.
4. Mr. Bean
Rowan Atkinson’s Mr. Bean is a testament to the fact that excellent comedy can be achieved without words. With nothing but a quirked eyebrow and an absurd scheme, Bean’s silent mayhem was a worldwide phenomenon. His innocent logic and stone-faced expressions turned mundane situations—such as attending church or washing clothes—completely ridiculous. Translatable to all ages and all languages, Mr. Bean is one of Britain’s greatest comedy exports.
5. Bad Sisters
One of the newer additions to the canon, Bad Sisters is a dark comedy with bite. Based in Ireland, the series tracks five sisters as they work their way through a suspicious death, complicated secrets, and loyalty to family derailed. With a stinging script, performances to note, and humor pitch-perfect, it’s a new take on female ensemble drama that blends real feeling with moments of wicked joy.
6. The Office (UK)
When The Office originally aired, it seemed like nothing anyone had ever seen before on TV. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s mockumentary take on the soul-sucking existence of working in an office introduced audiences to David Brent—one of comedy’s most cringe-inducing and memorable bosses. With its deadpan humor and uncomfortably real moments, the show paved the way for countless adaptations around the globe, including the hugely successful American version.
7. Fawlty Towers
John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers is widely regarded as one of the greatest sitcoms ever created, and accomplished all in 12 episodes. The show’s combination of farce, rapid-fire dialogue, and unforgettable characters (including Cleese’s unhinged Basil Fawlty and Andrew Sachs’ well-meaning Manuel) produced a forever rewatchable comedy. Its concise writing and outstanding performances established the benchmark for what a British sitcom could accomplish.
8. Blackadder
Witty, irreverent, and beautifully nuanced, Blackadder guided audiences through British history—medieval era to the trenches of World War I—through biting wit and an infinitely quotable script. Rowan Atkinson excelled in every incarnation of the witty, plotting Edmund Blackadder, as Tony Robinson’s Baldrick emerged as the ultimate endearing idiot. The mixture of historical spoof and use of language creates a peak for British comedy.
9. The Inbetweeners
Crude, awkward, and excruciatingly relatable, The Inbetweeners nailed the teen experience like no other show before or since. Trailing four socially inept mates through school, parties, and catastrophic dates, the show struck a chord with its combination of gross-out humor and surprisingly poignant moments. It was turned into a cultural phenomenon, with two films and a generation of teen comedies to follow.
10. Peep Show
Creative and unflinchingly black, Peep Show introduced a whole new approach to the world of sitcoms through the application of first-person camera techniques and disarming candor when it came to internal monologues. David Mitchell and Robert Webb starred as Mark and Jez, two dysfunctional flatmates whose neuroses and misadventures were some of the best writing on TV. Laughing, cringing, or both simultaneously, Peep Show provided comedy with actual emotional resonance.
A Legacy of Laughter
British comedy is characterized by its quick wit, witty character development, and playfulness with making fun of just about everything, including itself. From the over-the-top humor of Fawlty Towers to the brash realism of Peep Show, these shows didn’t just tickle our funny bones—they remade television comedy. And they keep on inspiring writers, actors, and fans around the world, showing us that fantastic humor is ageless.