10 British Sitcoms That Launched Careers

10 British Sitcoms That Launched Careers

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Even if you don’t know all of the British sitcoms on this list, you’ll likely know the people who got famous after creating or starring in them.

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10 British Sitcoms That Launched Careers

British sitcoms— or “Britcoms”— are a breed all their own. Such shows make a mark for their surreal humor, their comical take on situations, their subtle commentary, and their sharp stories about families or institutions. British comedies tend to be distinct for their black comedy and cringe humor.

Despite their appeal being idiosyncratically British, there are some shows that cross over internationally and pave the way for even greater success for their creators and stars. A few of the biggest names in comedy today, both in front of and behind the camera, had their fruitful starts in several beloved British sitcoms.

10 The League Of Gentlemen (1999-2002; 2017)

10 British Sitcoms That Launched Careers

The League of Gentlemen is the brainchild of the comedian troupe of the same name, composed of four comedians– Jeremy Dyson, Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith. The latter three comedians play an assortment of peculiar characters in this blend of sitcom and horror. The show also spawned a film entitled The League of Gentlemen’s Apocalypse.

After its run, Gatiss had prominent roles in shows like Doctor Who, Sherlock, Dracula and Game of Thrones. And Pemberton and Shearsmith created black comedies Psychoville and Inside No. 9.

9 Black Books (2000-2004)

10 British Sitcoms That Launched Careers

From the mind of Dylan Moran and Father Ted writer Graham Linehan comes Black Books. The show is set in the titular bookshop, ran by Bernard Black (Moran). He is later joined by Manny Bianco (Bill Bailey), and they get into mishaps with gift shop owner Fran Katzenjammer (Tamsin Greig).

Thanks to its critical acclaim— and its links to cult sitcom Spaced— Moran had a major supporting role in Shaun of the Dead. In addition, Bill Bailey became a successful stand-up comedian, and Tamsin Greig went on to star in Showtime’s Episodes.

8 Absolutely Fabulous (1992–1996; 2001–2004; 2011–2012)

10 British Sitcoms That Launched Careers

Absolutely Fabulous is the creation of comedic duo French and Saunders, based on their sketch “Modern Mother and Daughter.” It stars Jennifer Saunders as PR agent Edina Monsoon, and Joanna Lumley as magazine supervisor Patsy Stone, who reveled in their debauchery-filled adventures— much to the chagrin of Saffron (Julia Sawalha).

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Like other Britcoms, Absolutely Fabulous spawned an anniversary special, a movie, and a fruitful career for Saunders and Lumley. Both actors went on to have prolific voice work careers, with Saunders appearing in Shrek 2 and Minions, and Lumley having roles in James and the Giant Peach and Corpse Bride.

7 Peep Show (2003-2015)

10 British Sitcoms That Launched Careers

Peep Show is the epitome of cringe comedy. The center of it is the comedic duo Mitchell and Webb, who play college friends-turned-roommates. There’s the socially awkward Mark Corrigan (David Mitchell), and the arrogantly idle Jeremy “Jez” Usborne (Robert Webb) who have to endure uncomfortable situations and feeling trapped by the camera frame.

Thanks to its relentless humor, the show became a cult favorite. And it made the main duo a comedic staple in Britain. The show is also a career launcher for Olivia Colman, who would later win an Oscar for her role in The Favourite.

6 Fleabag (2016-2019)

10 British Sitcoms That Launched Careers

Speaking of Olivia Colman, her involvement in the acclaimed comedy-drama Fleabag only adds pedigree to an already groundbreaking show. Based on her one-woman show, this series stars Phoebe Waller-Bridge as a decadent young woman who bounces from one relationship to another as she looks for meaning in her life.

This acclaimed comedy-drama served as a vehicle for Waller-Bridge, who went on to be a co-writer on the upcoming 007 film No Time To Die. But it also provided leverage for Andrew Scott (1917), Hugh Skinner (Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again), and Brett Gelman (Stranger Things).

5 The IT Crowd (2006-2013)

10 British Sitcoms That Launched Careers

Another cult favorite from Graham Linehan, The IT Crowd centers on the misadventures of the short-handed IT department of Reynholm Industries, consisting of comic-book fanatic Roy (Chris O’Dowd), awkward nerd Moss (Richard Ayoade), and relationship manager Jen (Katharine Parkinson).

Thanks to its successful four-series run, the cast gained the clout for many subsequent roles. O’Dowd has a fruitful Hollywood career and has appeared in such movies as Bridesmaids and Dinner for Schmucks. Parkinson has appeared in more sitcoms, and Ayoade ventured into directing and voice roles.

4 The Thick Of It (2005-2012)

10 British Sitcoms That Launched Careers

Veep loyalists and fans of the film In the Loop can thank Armando Iannucci for first creating The Thick of It, intended to be the present-day equivalent of Yes, Minister. This show centers on the back-and-forth juggling inside the British government, specifically within the scattershot jurisdiction of policy enforcer Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi).

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For fans of political satire, this show would go on to forecast several later changes within the British government. And thanks to its acclaim, star Capaldi went on to be the Twelfth Doctor on Doctor Who.

3 Spaced (1999-2001)

10 British Sitcoms That Launched Careers

One of the original “anti-sitcoms,” Spaced is the brainchild of Simon Pegg, Jessica Hynes (née Stevenson), and director Edgar Wright. The show revolves around the lives of aimless twenty-something Londoners Tim and Daisy who pose as a couple to occupy a cheap flat, compounded by their farcical antics and genre-hopping misadventures.

The comedy led to mainstream global acclaim for Pegg and Wright— as well as co-star Nick Frost— the team who went on to make Shaun of the Dead, A Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End. And Hynes has remained a prolific and award-winning writer of TV and film.

2 The Office (2001-2003)

10 British Sitcoms That Launched Careers

The Office is one of the earliest shows to revolutionize the mockumentary format. A masterful creation of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, this sitcom chronicles the daily lives of the Slough branch of the Wernham Hogg paper company. It starred Gervais as the pompous David Brent, as well as Martin Freeman as office worker Tim.

Thanks to its crossover success, it spawned a highly successful American remake, and it placed Gervais, Merchant, and Freeman on the Hollywood map, appearing in and/or writing many TV shows and films since the end of The Office’s run.

1 Blackadder (1983-1989)

The highest honor for the biggest British sitcom career launcher must go to the classic Blackadder. Rowan Atkinson plays Edmund Blackadder, who has a significant “accomplishment” for each historical era his lineage endured. On each of the four series, Blackadder faces his own proudest catastrophes.

It was thanks to Blackadder’s success that Atkinson and Richard Curtis (director of Love Actually) teamed up to create the internationally successful Mr. Bean. And its tremendous cast– including Tony Robinson, Tim McInnerny, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie– each had their own successes after.

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