British comedy series (article)

Published by Mason Oldridge, 14 April 2026

If there’s one thing us Brits are known for, it’s our distinct sense of humour. In a UK/US-dominated media landscape, it’s perhaps the main thing that sets us apart. Here we take a look back at some of the greatest British short-form comedy series of the 21st century.

The IT Crowd (2006-2013)

Have you tried turning it off and on again? The IT Crowd is a workplace sitcom from Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan. It follows Roy (Chris O’Dowd) and Moss (Richard Ayoade), two underappreciated socially-awkward geeks who work in IT in the basement of Reynholm Industries, run by the capricious Denholm and later his eccentric son Douglas (Matt Berry). Roy and Moss are resistant when new hire Jen (Katherine Parkinson) is put in charge… despite not actually knowing anything about computers. Rounding out the cast is Richmond (Noel Fielding), the exiled goth who lives in the secluded server room behind the infamous red door. In the first season, the guys’ attempt to become popular fails and Moss helps Jen escape a disastrous date by telling him that she has died. In the second season, Jen dates a closeted gay man, Roy finds himself pretending to be disabled and Jen later dates the unfortunately named Peter File. In the third episode, Roy and Moss tell Jen that a small box is the internet, though their joke falls flat when the rest of the business believe it too, until the box is accidentally crushed, leading everyone into a frenzied panic, while in the fourth season, Moss achieves a successful run on Countdown, leading to him being admitted into a bizarre exclusive club. In the finale, the trio end up running the business when Douglas goes into hiding.

Benidorm (2007-2018)

Benidorm follows an ensemble cast of holidaymakers and staff at the fictional Solana hotel in the titular Spanish resort town. The Garvey family consists of dad Mick, mum Janice, teenage daughter Chantelle, young son Michael and Janice’s cantankerous mobility-scooter riding mother Madge, who dates entrepreneur Mel. Other guests include weedy Martin and his despairing wife Kate, narcissistic quiz genius Geoff and his ditzy mother Noreen (occasionally alongside alcoholic sister Pauline), swingers Donald and Jacqueline and gay couple Gavin and Troy. The Solana is run by non-nonsense managerress Janey, alongside sleazy Spanish bartender Mateo and crossdressing Les/Lesley. Flamboyant Kenneth joins later to run the in-house hair salon and Les’ socially-awkward son Liam arrives, interested in new holidaymakers Natalie and her sharp-tongued friend Sam, before working for Kenneth as staff. Janey is then succeeded by the uptight Joyce Temple-Savage, who embarks on a romantic relationship with gentleman Monty, while Crystal Hennessy-Vass is the owner. The Dyke family (dad Clive, mum Tonya and their adult children Tiger and Bianca) join the main cast before the Dawson family (dad Billy, mum Sheron, adult son Rob, child daughter Jodie, Billy’s father Eddie and Sheron’s mother Loretta) fill the void left by the departure of the Garveys. In the later series, dopey lad Joey holidays with Tiger and later his Irish mate Callum, attempting to achieve sexual conquests.

Gavin & Stacey (2007-2024)

Al’ight, Stace? What’s occurrin’? This groundbreaking sitcom follows Essex boy Gavin (Mathew Horne) and Welsh girl Stacey (Joanna Page) as they embark on a relationship. Their friends Smithy and Nessa (creators and writers James Corden and Ruth Jones respectively) have their own will-they-won’t-they relationship, with Smithy hilariously grossed out by Nessa in the pilot episode when all four meet in Leicester Square. The series is unique in that not much actually happens plot-wise but it succeeds in its simple hilarity thanks to a cast that won the hearts of the nation. This cast includes Gavin’s parents Pam (Alison Steadman) and Mick (Larry Lamb) in Billericay and Stacey’s mum Gwen and Uncle Bryn (Rob Brydon) in Barry Island, plus the occasional visit from her brother Jason. There is also Pam and Mick’s close friends Pete and Dawn, who regularly bicker, Nessa’s love interest and coach driver Dave Coaches and Gwen’s straight-talking elderly neighbour Doris. The titular couple soon get engaged and married; Stacey moves to Essex with Gavin but becomes homesick and the two eventually live in Barry. Meanwhile, Smithy and Nessa are left embarrassed after their one-night stand but Nessa is pregnant and the two end up co-parenting Neil the baby, as he is known throughout. Specific comedic highlights include Smithy citing his takeaway curry order and ranting about sharing, Doris not making a salad and the disappointment of Gwen getting a Bounty when Nessa gifts them all one chocolate. Recurring jokes include Pam’s fake vegetarianism and, most importantly, what happened on the fishing trip?! The 2019 special and 2024 finale each went on to become the most watched television broadcast of the year in the UK. 

Come Fly With Me (2010-2011)

Matt Lucas and David Walliams follow up Little Britain with this mockumentary set in an airport. Omar Baba owns the low-cost airline FlyLo, making several morally-compromised cutbacks to keep things affordable, while Melody and Keeley are check-in girls who often fall out with each other. Moses is a camp passenger liaison officer with questionable charitable work and the catchphrase “if you’ll pardon the pun” despite no pun being there, Precious runs the coffee kiosk, though always finds an excuse to close for the day, Taaj works for ground crew, driving around in his self-acclaimed “pussy wagon” and Ian Foot is a racist immigration officer. Simon and Jackie are a husband-and-wife pilot team, but things are awkward as Jackie struggles to move on after Simon has an affair, this being the reason they fly together. Peter and Judith are unfortunate holidaymakers who keep having the “holiday from hell”. Judith tries to recall the story, if only Peter wouldn’t keep interrupting her! Fearghal is the gay steward aboard Irish airline Our Lady Air, whereas Penny is the stuck-up stewardess working in first class for Great British Air. Furthermore, Tommy is a wannabe pilot with a fear of flying, reduced to working at Happy Burger. Additionally, there’s unconventional customs officers Ben and James, careless baggage handlers John and Terry and easily-distracted paparazzi duo Mickey and Buster. As with Little Britain, Come Fly With Me has faced controversy in later years from the woke snowflake generation, but this doesn’t stop it being one of the greatest British short-form comedy series of the 21st century.