This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine.
Democracy has prevailed – and its results, as always, make for interesting reading. In February, when RT asked our readers to vote for their favourite modern British comedy, we set out to dispel the negativity that can characterise conversations on the current state of the genre.
To this end, we focused on shows that started from 2010 onwards, which, controversially, barred treasured 21st-century series such as The Office, Gavin & Stacey and Peep Show from being included in the longlist.
Although the absence of these shows – among others – was undoubtedly felt by fans, our aim was to produce a result distinct from any other polls we’ve seen in the past. In the process, we sought to elevate the next generation of “all-time greats”.
British comedy has been one of our proudest exports for decades, but we can only protect its premier status for future generations if we celebrate recent efforts as enthusiastically as the genre-defining classics.
Once more our thanks go to our industry panel – which included experts, from commissioners to writers, from actors to stand-up comics, of all ages and backgrounds – who whittled 15 years of British comedy from nearly 100 prospects to a longlist of 25 contenders. These 25 formed our readers’ poll, voted on earlier this year, with the results now revealed here.
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Those results certainly prove that there are still plenty of laughs to be had – clearly, while the comedy genre faces the same challenges as the wider British television industry (if not more acutely), reports of its “death” have been greatly exaggerated. This is no clearer than in our top 10, which shows the impressive breadth of comedies that struck a chord with viewers in the past decade and a half.
Our cover star, unfiltered comic Ricky Gervais, remains the king of the UK comedy scene, with fans showing up to propel After Life to the top spot. Never a stranger to controversy, the prolific writer’s blend of sharp-tongued commentary and unflinching poignancy remains irresistible to many viewers. But as you go up the list, it’s clear our national taste extends much further.
Gervais’s former co-star in The Office Mackenzie Crook takes second place, bringing a different flavour entirely. Detectorists found its way into our hearts with less provocative characters who could deliver big laughs all the same. This understated sitcom turns the spotlight on the beauty of the British countryside, its communities and the passions that can bring unexpected groups together.
And coming in at a close third, haunted-house sitcom Ghosts carries the torch for the larger-than-life characters, creative wordplay and fast-paced physical comedy pioneered by the likes of Fawlty Towers. Of all the shows in our top 10, this one probably brought the most families together, with the spooks of Button House delighting viewers of all ages.
Your votes determined the final result and we thank everyone who took part in helping to imagine the future of British comedy. Looking ahead, from Small Prophets to Amandaland, and from Here We Go to Twenty Twenty Six, there’s every reason to believe we’ll have many more modern favourites to cheer for in 10 years’ time.
10. This Country (2.9%)
Kerry and Kurtan (played by siblings Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper) make for a priceless comic double act in this authentic depiction of rural life for young people. Available on iPlayer
9. W1A (4.0%)
Workplace sitcom set inside the walls of the BBC, where head of values Ian Fletcher (Hugh Bonneville) is given a series of unenviable assignments. Available on iPlayer
8. Motherland (5.1%)
Exasperated mum Julia (Anna Maxwell Martin) attempts to keep up with fellow middle-class parents in suburban west London. Available on iPlayer
7. Inside No. 9 (5.4%)
Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith’s ever-changing anthology maintains a darkly comedic undercurrent that has made it a favourite with fans. Available on iPlayer
6. Friday Night Dinner (7.7%)
Jackie and Martin Goodman (Tamsin Greig and Paul Ritter) host a weekly Shabbat dinner for their two sons (Simon Bird and Tom Rosenthal) that invariably descends into chaos. Available on Channel 4 streaming
5. Derry Girls (8.4%)
A group of Northern Irish schoolgirls (and one schoolboy) navigate ordinary teenage crises against an extraordinary backdrop: the final years of the Troubles. Available on Channel 4 streaming
Supermarket employees John (Peter Kay) and Kayleigh (Sian Gibson) share a commute filled with music, laughter and simmering romance. Available on iPlayer
3. Ghosts (12.0%)
After a near-death experience, Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) begins to see the ghosts that haunt the stately home she inherited and shares with her husband (Kiell Smith-Bynoe). Available on iPlayer
2 Detectorists (12.6%)
Underdogs Andy (Mackenzie Crook) and Lance (Toby Jones) seek out lost treasures in English fields. Available on iPlayer
1 After Life (16.8%)
After losing his wife to cancer, grieving widower and journalist Tony Johnson (Gervais) struggles to find meaning in his life, while reporting on the quirky community of Tambury for the local paper. Available on Netflix
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