British sitcoms, also known as Britcoms, have their mark of comedy contents. The subtle commentary on comical situations and their plot about institutions and families has a unique sense of humor. The British comedies or sitcoms have distinct cringe humor and black humor.
Some shows made a way to success and popularity to both actors and creators of the show. Some of the many biggest names of the industry have started their journey from British sitcoms. In this article, we would try to list down some popular Britcoms after which the stars of the show got popular.
The League Of Gentlemen (1999-2002; 2017)
The League of Gentlemen is a British sitcom that premiered on BBC Two in 1999. The series is set in a fictional town in Northern England in Royston Vasey. The plot of the show is written by four comedians Steve Pemberton, Mark Gatiss, Reece Shearsmith along with Jeremy Dyson. The show aired for three seasons from 1999 to 2002. The show was featured on Comedy Central in 2000. The peculiar characters of three comedians blend into the horror and sitcom.
Pemberton, Gatiss, and Shearsmith met at the Bretton Hall theatre school. They completed the final member Jeremy Dyson later in the comedy career. The show was awarded the Perrier award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1997. It also won the Sony Award for six episodes.
After the show, Gatiss landed some significant roles like Doctor Who, Dracula, Game of Thrones, and Sherlock. On the other hand, Shearsmith and Pemberton created two black comedies Inside No. 9 and Psychoville.
Black Books (2000-2004)
Black Books is created by Graham Linehan and Dylan Moran, written by Kevin Cecil, Andy Riley, Moran, Linehan, and Arthur Mathews. The show was broadcast on Channel 4 for three seasons from 2000 to 2004. It stars Tamsin Greig and Bill Bailey. Black Books was produced in a multiple-camera setup and filmed at Teddington Studios in Teddington, London. The first episode of the show was broadcast on 29 September 2000 and the final one aired on 15 April 2004. The show follows the lives of the owner of a bookshop named Bernard Black played by Moran, friend Fran Katzenjammer played by Greig, and the assistant Manny Bianco played by Bailey. Big Talk Productions produced it in association with Channel 4. Black Books won two awards including two BAFTAs for Best Situation Comedy in 2001 and 2005, and at Bron Rose at the Festival Rose d’Or.
Since the show has received many praises and was critically acclaimed, actor Moran got a supporting role in Shaun of the Dead, Bill Bailey landed his career as a successful stand-up comedian, and Tamsin Greig went to Star in the episodes of Showtime.
Absolutely Fabulous (1992-1996; 2001-2004; 2011-2012)
Absolutely Fabulous, also known as Ab Fab, is a British sitcom based on the third sketch of French and Sauders titled “Modern Mother and Daughter” created by Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French. The show is created by Saunders, stars Julia Sawalha and Joanna Lumley. The plot revolves around a drug-abusing, Heavy drinking PR agent, Edina Monsoon, who spends her time chasing fads and losing weight in a desperate attempt to stay young. She joined a magazine of fashion director Patsy Stone, who consumes a considerable amount of alcohol in comparison to Edina.
Absolutely Fabulous spawned an anniversary special and fruitful career for Lumley and Saunders. The actors are then hired for some great projects, Lumley got roles in Corpse Bride, and James and the Giant Peach.
Peep Show (2003-2005)
Peep Show is also a Britcom starring Robert Webb and David Mitchell. The show was written by Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong and was broadcasted on Channel 4 from 2003 to 2015. The plot follows Mark Corrigan played by Mitchell and Jeremy “Jez” Usborne, played by Webb. The two dysfunctional friends share a flat in Croydon, London. Jeremy is an irresponsible, juvenile talentless, unemployed musician who lives in the spare room of Mark. At the same time, Mark is a despondent loan manager and socially awkward with a cynical outlook on life. The show did not get enough audiences’ attention during its run time, but it was critically acclaimed and hence became a cult favorite. After four years the final episode of the show was released in April 2019 by Radio Times.
Due to the fantastic humor, the show became a hit later. Peep Show became a career launcher for Olivia Colman, who also won an Oscar for her character in The Favourite.
Fleabag (2016-2019)
Fleabag is a British sitcom written and created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The show was produced by Two Brothers Pictures and co-produced by Amazon Studios for the channel BBC Three. It stars Olivia Colman and Sian Clifford, while actor Andrew Scott joined the series from the second season. The protagonist of the show often breaks the fourth wall to provide monologues, running commentary, and exposition to the viewers. The first episode of the show premiered on 21 July 2016 and the final episode aired on 8 April 2019. Fleabag received lots of praise from critics for the writing, character development and the acting performances of actors. The show was nominated for eleven Primetime Emmy Awards and won six of them, including Outstanding Lead Actress, Waller-Bridge earning Outstanding Comedy Series, and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. Fleabag also received the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series and Best actress.
Due to this comedy-drama television series, Waller-Bridge was hired as a co-writer for the 007 film titled No Time To Die. And provided leverage for Hugh Skinner (Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again), Scott (1917), and Brett Gelman (Stranger Things).
The IT Crowd (2006-2013)
The IT Crowd is broadcast initially by Channel 4, produced by Ash Atalla and written by Graham Linehan. The show star Chris O’Dowd, Katherine Parkinson, Richard Ayoade, and Matt Berry. The plot revolves around the fictional office Reynholm Industries in London, and it follows the three staff members of the IT department: work-shy Roy Trenneman played by Chris O’Dowd, computer programmer Maurice Moss played by Richard Ayoade, and Jen Barber played by Katherine Parkinson.
The cast of the series clout for many roles, O’Dowd started an impressive Hollywood career and featured in Dinner for Schmucks, and Bridesmaid. Parkinson also has landed up some parts in sitcoms, and Ayoade ventured into voice roles and directing.
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