10 Shows To Watch if You Love ‘Fleabag’
Few shows are able to achieve what Fleabag accomplished in two seasons. Between its razor-sharp wit, its complex character work, and its deep emotional vulnerability, it set a completely new standard for the genre of dramadies—a feat more impressive given that each episode only lasted around 30 minutes. Of course, much of this is attributed to the talents of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who not only created and wrote the show, but also starred as its titular character, an individual who struggles to navigate through personal traumas and struggling relationships.
Masterfully blending dark humor with gut-punching honesty, Fleabag has left an undeniable mark on the industry by becoming a televisual experience that fans continue to chase for, even years after its final episode. So if you’re hoping to fill the empty void that Fleabag has left, then worry no more. Between genre-bending dramadies, underrated British hits, and deeply flawed protagonists, these are the shows that might just pique your interest.
10
‘Such Brave Girls’ (2023–)
Created by Kat Sadler
Single mother, Deb (Louise Brealey), and her two daughters, Josie (Kat Sadler) and Billie (Lizzie Davidson), attempt to piece their lives back together after their husband (and father) leaves them. But despite efforts being made, the family is left with only poor judgment and tons of self-esteem to arm them.
Whether it’s because of the chaos, the drama, and the hilarity, it seems that everyone loves a good dysfunctional family sitcom. Yet somehow, Such Brave Girls has managed to fly right under the radar. With quippy writing, complex relationships, and dark British humor, this is a show whose level of mess is just as tragic as it is funny. Sure, the protagonists make tons of terrible and self-destructive decisions, but there’s something painfully relatable about it, a trait commonly seen throughout Fleabag‘s two seasons.
9
‘PEN15’ (2019–2021)
Created by Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle, and Sam Zvibleman
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Exploring the trials and tribulations of adolescence, comedians Maya Erkstein and Anna Konkle portray two middle-school outcasts —living in the year 2000—who struggle through the awkwardness of 7th grade. Luckily, the two never have to face things alone as they navigate the roller-coaster of their social and personal lives together.
Much like how Fleabag was able to capture the raw awkwardness of womanhood, PEN15 does the same thing with the excruciating pitfalls of teenhood. Yes, we’re talking everything from youthful insecurities, to unbridled embarrassment, to the overwhelming intensities of friendships and relationships. And yet, despite the cringeworthy humor, the show does a great job balancing it out with a sincere amount of heart and emotionality. Growing up isn’t easy, especially for young women. That’s why shows like Fleabag and PEN15 are so important. They normalize the hardships of self-discovery, and that, quite frankly, is a reassuring thing.
8
‘Crashing’ (2016)
Created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge
A group of six adults live in a disused hospital as its property guardians, keeping the building safe in exchange for cheap rent and stern rules. But soon enough, chaos begins to ensue as relationships start to overlap, and personal baggage sways the communal dynamics.
What else could fill the void of Fleabag other than more Phoebe Waller-Bridge? Indeed, before Fleabag took over the world, it was Crashing that introduced us to her madness. And let’s not misinterpret that, because this is the show that established Waller-Bridge’s strengths: her wit, and her ability to craft intricate and complex relationships. Sure, Crashing may be a little more quirky and chaotic, but it brilliantly navigates the oddities of adulthood with an unfiltered honesty that isn’t afraid to have a little bit of fun. Plus, it features a pre-Bridgerton Jonathan Bailey, which is always a win.
7
‘Am I Being Unreasonable?’ (2022–)
Created by Daisy May Cooper and Selin Hizli
Trapped in her depressing marriage, and grieving a loss she cannot tell anyone about, life is a complicated thing for Nic (Daisy May Cooper). The only thing keeping her sane is her young son, Ollie (Lenny Rush), and a new mom-friend, Jen (Selin Hizli), whom she meets at their children’s school. Little do each other know, they are both haunted by deep secrets that just so happen to intertwine with one another.
In what initially starts out as a witty comedy about suburban boredom, Am I Being Unreasonable quickly twists the expectations of viewers by turning into something a lot darker and suspenseful. Indeed, similar to Fleabag, much of the drama is guided by the troubled protagonist who faces life under a dark cloud of grief and guilt. As such, it’s not surprising that mayhem quickly ensues. Where there are tons of heartwarming scenes about motherhood and friendship, the show turns everything on its head with plot points that are borderline stomach-churning. So expect the unexpected.
6
‘This is Going to Hurt’ (2022)
Created by Adam Kay
Set in the obstetrics and gynecology ward of an NHS hospital, the series closely follows the chaotic life of junior doctor Adam Kay (Ben Whishaw) as he navigates the difficult balance of his professional and personal life. Along the way, he becomes a mentor to trainee doctor Shruti Acharya (Ambika Mod), and together they face the stress of their patients and the grueling ranks of hospital hierarchy.
While some great medical shows engage audiences with messy relationship drama and gripping medical mysteries, This Is Going to Hurt offers a confronting look into the grim realities of working in healthcare. Yes, it’s a deeply emotional, gut-punching ride, but it’s blended rather masterfully with the biting British humor we have all grown to love. Like Fleabag, This Is Going to Hurt also thrives on its protagonist’s fourth-wall-breaking, giving audiences a raw and unfiltered glimpse into Adam’s internal psyche.
5
‘This Way Up’ (2019–2021)
Created by Aisling Bea
Recovering from a nervous breakdown, single Irish woman Aine (Aisling Bea), who now lives in London, attempts to fix her life back in order to regain a sense of normalcy. Unfortunately for her, this comes with a lot of obstacles that also involve hiding her struggles from her protective older sister, Shona (Sharon Horgan).
As a show that tackles heavy topics like addiction, mental health, and xenophobia, it’s sometimes delightfully off-putting to see This Way Up play out as a wacky black comedy. Indeed, where this show initially pulls you in with its self-deprecating humor and Irish charm, it locks you in with its raw and introspective moments about the human condition. Better still, it also introduces audiences to a heartwarming, chemistry-filled story about sisterhood—one that’s a little less complicated than Fleabag and Claire’s (even though that isn’t really hard to do).
4
‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014–2020)
Created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg
Where he was once the star of a 90s sitcom, BoJack Horseman (Will Arnett) is now lost in a sea of depression, self-loathing, and substance abuse. Knowing that this isn’t the kind of life he wants to live, BoJack decides to return to relevance with an autobiography. But the Hollywood life is vastly different from what it once was, forcing the washed-up star to really play a good game of catch-up.
Despite being a show that centers around anthropomorphic characters, BoJack Horseman ironically offers one of the most emotionally resonant stories about being human. Sure, it mostly confronts the dark struggles of humanity; however, it is this deep introspection that makes the show so compelling. Add in some intelligently written humor, a complex, self-sabotaging protagonist, and a sheer willingness for creative exploration—it’s no wonder why BoJack Horseman isn’t only one of the best adult animations of all time, but one of the best Netflix originals of all time.
3
‘Russian Doll’ (2019–2022)
Created by Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, and Amy Poehler
While leaving a party, Nadia (Natasha Lyonne) is struck by a car, only to die on her 36th birthday. But her life somehow doesn’t end as Nadia awakens and is transported back to the party held earlier that night, only for her to die once more in the same accident. Recognizing that she’s stuck in a time loop, Nadia is left questioning her sanity and desperate to investigate the mystery that lies ahead of her.
In what starts out as a classic Groundhog Day–esque premise, Russian Doll takes a mighty turn by transforming into a profound exploration of trauma, regret, and self-destruction. Of course, this complexity isn’t all that surprising, given that the title already informs viewers about the numerous layers embedded within the show’s narrative, as well as its protagonist. Luckily, Russian Doll is also incredibly fun and witty, making this an entertaining puzzle for any viewer to piece together.
2
‘After Life’ (2019–2022)
Created by Ricky Gervais
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Struggling to come to terms with his wife’s death, newspaper writer Tony Johnson (Ricky Gervais) adopts a gruff persona to push away anyone who tries to help. While he initially contemplates suicide, he instead decides to spend his life punishing the world by saying and doing whatever he likes, even if it harms others. But unfortunately for Tony, this “superpower” is quickly undermined as he soon realizes that there are people in this world he cares about.
As a haunting tale about grief, After Life stunned audiences by offering a refreshingly honest perspective on love, loss, and heartbreak. Viewers witness this through the lens of Tony, who faces life with a good mix of bitterness, sarcasm, and rudeness. And yet, thankfully, this all changes as he eventually discovers his new purpose. Of course, the beauty of this show largely stems from Gervais’ sharp writing and performance, as he’s not only able to hit the beats of poignant storytelling, but he also ensures that the show never wallows in its misery. Easily one of the best projects Gervais has produced.
1
‘I May Destroy You’ (2020)
Created by Michaela Coel
Waking up after what was supposed to be a simple fun night with friends, Arabella (Michaela Coel) struggles to remember the events that transpired. However, upon seeking the help of two mates, her life changes forever as she discovers that she was not only drugged but also assaulted, forcing Arabella to reassess the events of her life.
Unflinchingly raw and deeply thought-provoking, I May Destroy You shares Fleabag‘s gifts in its ability to seamlessly blend dark humor with piercing emotional honesty. Like Waller-Bridge, Coel’s masterful writing and performance craft a story that doesn’t shy away from life’s harshest realities, particularly in its exploration of consent, trauma, and self-discovery. Indeed, with its wit, sharp dialogue, and confidence to embrace the narrative’s discomfort, this is an unforgettable miniseries that lingers with viewers long after the credits roll.
