15 Binge-Worthy British Sitcoms With Cozy Friends Vibes

Here are 15 lesser-known British series that might just fill the Central Perk-shaped hole in your heart.

1. Spaced (1999–2001)

Ever had a roommate out of necessity, not choice? Spaced kicks off when Tim and Daisy pretend to be a couple to secure an apartment. It's basically a playground for every late-'90s, early-'00s cultural reference. From robot wars to clubbing disasters, this show nails the hilarity and awkwardness of young adult life. Also, it was directed by Edgar Wright of Shaun of the Dead fame, so you know it's a winner.

2. The Royle Family (1998–2012)

Don't expect grand adventures here; most of the show is set in the living room of the Royle family. But that's the beauty of it! This sitcom zeroes in on the monotony of family life with biting humor. Mundane events like watching TV become hysterical dramas. The Royles are, in a way, the anti-Friends: they're not glamorous, they're not trendy, but they are relatable on a whole different level.

3. Peep Show (2003–2015)

Told entirely through point-of-view shots, Peep Show lets you inside the minds of Mark and Jez, two dysfunctional roommates. Mark's the socially awkward office worker while Jez is an unemployed musician. The show lays bare their misadventures, from terrible dates to drug mishaps, offering a raw look at their internal monologues. It's painfully funny because, let's be real, who hasn't thought those things?

4. Gavin & Stacey (2007–2019)

Long-distance relationships are hard, huh? Gavin lives in England, Stacey in Wales. After getting to know each other over the phone, they decide to meet and hit it off. Cue the merging of two hilariously different families and friend groups. The culture clash, sweet romance, and quirky side characters (we're looking at you, Nessa and Smithy!) make this a charming watch.

5. Coupling (2000–2004)

Remember the love triangles, squares, and pentagons of Friends? Coupling takes it up a notch. It follows six friends—three men, three women—and their tangled love lives. Jeff is hopelessly awkward around women, while his friend Steve navigates the perils of moving in with his girlfriend, Susan. Add in an ex-girlfriend and a woman obsessed with the aforementioned Jeff, and you've got a messy but hilarious romantic entanglement.

6. Friday Night Dinner (2011–2020)

Forget the Sunday roast; it's all about Friday Night Dinner at the Goodman residence. Siblings Adam and Jonny return to their parents' home every week for a Shabbat meal, and it's far from peaceful. Between their quirky dad's bizarre antics and their mom's nosy interrogations, dinner time is utter chaos. The humour here is more situational, less dialogue-driven, and it's a killer portrayal of the family dynamic.

7. Black Books (2000–2004)

Who says misanthropy can't be hilarious? Bernard Black runs a bookshop, but he'd rather be left alone, thanks very much. Enter Manny, a stress-ridden accountant and Fran, Bernard's best friend and next-door shop owner. Together, they get into all kinds of shenanigans—wine drinking marathons, failed romances, and even a brief stint in organized crime. It's the perfect showcase of friendship thriving in the least likely of places.

8. The Inbetweeners (2008–2010)

High school: the awkward years. Four friends—Will, Simon, Jay, and Neil—try to navigate adolescence, and they're equally clueless. Each episode is a new disaster, whether it's trying to buy alcohol illegally, going on a pathetic lads' holiday, or attempting to impress the ladies. It's crude, it's awkward, but it's so painfully relatable that you'll be cringing and laughing in equal measure.

9. Fresh Meat (2011–2016)

University is a time for new experiences, and Fresh Meat dives headfirst into them. A diverse group of six students share a house off-campus. There's the posh one, the activist, the naive fresher, the misanthrope, the ladies' man, and the insecure genius. Sound like a setup for disaster? You bet. Amid the parties and hookups, the characters discover what friendship really means when you're miles away from home.

10. Pulling (2006–2009)

What happens when you call off a wedding and find yourself single again? If you're Donna, you move in with your two single friends, Karen and Louise. Donna explores the dating scene but finds it far from glamorous. Meanwhile, Karen is a functioning alcoholic, and Louise is, well, a bit dense.

11. Bad Education (2012–2023)

Jack Whitehall plays Alfie Wickers, the world's worst teacher at Abbey Grove School. He's more immature than his students and often finds himself wrapped up in their lives and dramas. From field trips gone wrong to disastrous school plays, Alfie's ineptitude is both shocking and endearing. It's sort of like if Ross from Friends had gone into teaching and had zero control of his classroom.

12. Him & Her (2010–2013)

Ever wanted a peek into the unglamorous, day-to-day lives of a couple? Him & Her delivers just that. Steve and Becky are content to lounge around, eat junk food, and avoid adult responsibilities. Sure, they have their fights and oddball friends, but at the end of the day, they're perfect for each other. It's like peering through the looking glass at what Chandler and Monica's early days might've been like without the quirky New York backdrop.

13. Green Wing (2004–2007)

Think of it as Scrubs with a British twist. This medical dramedy veers between the surreal and the mundane, set in the fictional East Hampton Hospital Trust. It's less about the medical procedures and more about the oddball staff—from a love-struck surgeon to a wacky HR rep. There's even a slow-motion love story; you've got to see it to get it.

14. Episodes (2011–2017)

What happens when a British writer couple's hit show gets remade in America? Comedy gold, that's what. Matt LeBlanc (yes, Joey from Friends) plays a caricatured version of himself who gets cast in the U.S. version of the couple's show. Cultural clashes, Hollywood absurdities, and personal meltdowns ensue. It's a bit meta, considering the Friends connection, but that's part of the fun.

15. Raised by Wolves (2013–2016)

Ever wondered how it would be to grow up in a large, unconventional family? Written by Caitlin and Caroline Moran, this sitcom centers around a family of home-schooled kids raised by a single mom. They're strapped for cash and don't fit in with the 'normal' world, but their antics are laugh-out-loud hilarious. It's like a grittier, British version of The Brady Bunch, if you will.