Gems of Comedy: Where to Stream 5 Best British Sitcoms of All Time in 2024?

There are many ways to describe British humor. But the most succinct way is 'saturated'. In that sense, British sitcoms are prime examples. Here are five of the best comedy shows from the UK to prove the point.

Black Books (2000-2004, 3 seasons, 8.5 on IMDb)

Available on: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Written by and starring Dylan Moran, this sitcom follows Bernard Black, the owner of the titular bookshop in London, who has a terribly off-putting personality that scares away any potential customer. The show explores his day-to-day life as he battles depression and alcoholism, seemingly trying to ruin his own business, which miraculously continues to operate against all odds.

The Office (2001-2003, 2 seasons, 8.5 on IMDb)

Available on: Max, Peacock, Amazon Prime

Although the American version of this sitcom is far more popular around the world, it is important to remember that Ricky Gervais' mockumentary is the original. Set in the small town of Slough, the show follows the employees of the fictional Wernham Hogg paper company in their professional and everyday lives as they build relationships both on and off the job.

Yes Minister (1980-1988, 5 seasons, 8.6 on IMDb)

Available on: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

The classic British sitcom actually has two iterations: Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister, which together span five seasons. The show centers on Paul Eddington's Jim Hacker, a British minister who builds a remarkable career in the Cabinet's fictional Department of Administrative Affairs despite his inability to clearly formulate and implement policy and the covert opposition of his permanent secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby, portrayed by Nigel Hawthorne.

Peep Show (2003-2015, 9 seasons, 8.7 on IMDb)

Available on: Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb, this sitcom follows Mark and Jez, two friends with a disturbingly dysfunctional relationship who share a flat in Croydon, London. Mark is a socially awkward and pessimistic loan manager who dreams of being interesting to people and has little luck in love. Jez is a promiscuous and perpetually unemployed freeloader who sleeps with anyone who crosses his path. And yet the two somehow manage to be friends.

Fleabag (2016-2019, 2 seasons, 8.7 on IMDb)

Available on: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Phoebe Waller-Bridge's famous comedy-drama follows her unnamed character, who calls herself by the title, as she goes about her daily life, full of failures and disappointments, which she often shares and discusses with the audience, breaking the fourth wall. Haunted by psychological trauma, Fleabag comes a long way to recovery and self-love, causing a lot of chaos along the way, which is a lot of fun to watch.