The 20 best comedies to stream on BBC iPlayer

Ian Fletcher has had a variety of impressive and extremely real jobs on our TV screens. In Twenty Twelve he was Head of Deliverance for the Olympic Deliverance Mission. In W1A he was the BBC’s Head of Values. And in Twenty Twenty Six, writer John Morton’s third slyly witty mockumentary about corporate culture, he’s Director of Integrity for an unnamed North America-based global football tournament taking place this year. Sideways look to camera.

In Twenty Twenty Six, available in Apps > BBC iPlayer from Wednesday 8 April, the twist for Ian (Hugh Bonneville) is that while previously he has dealt with a bunch of repressed Brits mostly incapable of saying what they mean, he’s now alongside a team of people with a completely different approach to their work – and lives. They say what they mean, and then they say it again.

So will Ian cope? Fortunately his former BBC intern Will Humphries (Hugh Skinner) has found his way to Miami and is working on the event too, giving Ian and the audience a useful point of familiarity. Which is not to say Will’s actually useful…

The foldable-bike-riding, pathologically cautious Ian Fletcher is one of Bonneville’s signature roles, alongside Mr Brown in the Paddington films and Lord Grantham in Downton Abbey, and we’re loving the opportunity to see him back in full “yes no very good” movie. Ditto Skinner, who’s appeared as hapless yet harmless chump in the likes of Fleabag and The Windsors, as well as W1A.

And there’s a whole new crew of well-meaning types for Ian and Will to cross paths with, including New York lawyer Nick Castellano (Paulo Costanzo, The Night Of), ex-footballer and aspiring pundit Phil Plank (Nick Blood, Marvel’s Agents Of Shield) and Sarah Campbell (Chelsey Crisp, Fresh Off The Boat), who revels in the title Head of Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy.

Sadly Perfect Curve, the PR agency headed by Siobhan Sharpe (Jessica Hynes), didn’t manage to bag the gig this time – but there’s a whole new publicity horrorshow for Ian to untangle, in the form of a social media team headed by Madison Flynn (Erin Kellyman, 28 Years Later). And fans of David Tennant’s narration will be pleased to know it’s back and as delightfully dry as ever in Twenty Twenty Six.

So ahead of the start of the new series, you can treat yourself to two series of Twenty Twelve and three series of W1A on Apps > BBC iPlayer – where you’ll find a veritable treasure trove of comedy. If you’re looking for a laugh, we’ve picked 20 of our absolute favourites, old and new. Once you’ve watched all those, keep scrolling down for even more recommendations.

Stream series 1-2 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Sophie Willan brought a delightful chaos to Taskmaster series 17 and if you enjoyed that, we’d recommend her sitcom Alma’s Not Normal. Loosely based on her own experiences, it’s all about Alma (Willan herself) and her attempts to live the fabulous life she dreams of, in the face of challenges including her extremely unusual family history – to uproarious effect. Willan has stated that it’s unlikely to return, so we’ll have to be satisfied with the two perfect series she created.

Stream series 1 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Although Lucy Punch’s insufferably snobbish Amanda provided many laugh-out-loud moments in three series of Motherland (also in Apps > BBC iPlayer), fans weren’t sure she was the ideal basis for a spin-off. A little Amanda went a long way. Those fears were misplaced as Amandaland proved an absolute riot, knocking Amanda down a social class or two via a divorce and forcing her to deal with both the consequences and her judgmental mother (Joanna Lumley). Could it even be… better than its parent show? Another series is coming in spring 2026.

Stream series 1 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Former Death In Paradise star Ben Miller created and stars in this uplifting comedy, which he was inspired to write after watching dating show Love On The Spectrum. He plays Julian, a publicly reviled author who’s on a press tour in Australia when he’s approached by Austin, a young neurodivergent man claiming to be his son. The fallout for his life, not to mention his marriage, could be disastrous… Michael Theo, a participant in Love On The Spectrum, is a revelation as Austin in this warm, witty comedy also starring Sally Phillips. The second series has already been shown in Australia, so the UK should get it soon.

Stream series 1-2 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Famalam’s Gbemisola Ikumelo and Akemnji Ndifornyen collaborated again to create Black Ops, which takes no prisoners in its mission to skewer police and criminals alike. Dom (Ikumelo) and Kay (Hammed Animashaun) are community support officers going nowhere in their careers until they’re tasked with infiltrating a local gang. It turns out they’re even more rubbish at being delinquents than they are at policing… In the second series, which premiered in January 2026, Dom and Kay find themselves embedded in MI6.#

Stream series 1-3 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Crime doesn’t pay. We all know that. But it certainly provides gainful employment for Paul “Wicky” Wickstead (Greg Davies), who cleans up after unfortunate events, with responsibility for getting rid of any sign that anything untoward happened there. But the blood-mopping isn’t even the oddest part of his job. It’s the absolute weirdos he meets that make it special, from bloodthirsty widows to sandwich-obsessed writers and tech-shop conspiracy theorists. Davies stars alongside a parade of high-profile guests, from Helena Bonham Carter to Asim Chaudhry, in this wickedly funny comedy.

Stream series 1-2 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

They came together by squabbling over a vet’s bill and somehow, it all worked out. Real-life spouses Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall created, wrote and starred in this brilliantly witty, often awkward Australian comedy about a mismatched couple who are getting everything wrong but staying strong – largely because they struggle to tolerate anyone who isn’t them. For anyone desperate for resolution following the cringeworthy ending to series 2, a third series went into production early in 2026.

Stream series 1-3 and the special in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Created, written and directed by Mackenzie Crook (who also stars and probably did the catering too), this is a gorgeous, sun-washed comedy about two metal-detecting hobbyists who dream of finding gold. Co-starring Toby Jones, it’s a series that wears its heart on its sleeve without an ounce of cynicism: something that’s rare in comedy, and even rarer in a show that puts a pastime that is – let’s be honest – quite silly at its centre. There’s no bad time to catch up or reacquaint yourself with the Danebury Metal Detecting Club.

Stream series 1-2 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Nina (Ashley Storrie), a palaeontologist working in a Glasgow museum, gets a shock when her sister and flatmate Evie (Kat Ronney) drops the bombshell that she’s engaged to the man she’s only just started seeing. Can Nina cope with the upheaval, not to mention Evie’s performatively right-on fiancé Ranesh (Danny Ashok)?

While Dinosaur is a fascinating study of Nina’s autism and the way it affects her reaction to change – Storrie, who co-created the series, is autistic – it’s not a show about autism. Rather, like the best and most relatable comedies, it’s about people and how they get along despite their wildly different approaches to life. Most important of all, of course, it’s uproariously funny. The second series debuted in February 2026.

Stream series 1-2 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Kwabena is an aspiring Black film-maker who’s always wanted to put his vision on screens. But he doesn’t have an “in” to the TV and movie industry, and on top of that, he’s broke. How can a budding artist achieve his ambitions while working as a food delivery driver? A hugely relatable show about an outsider striving to crack the system, Dreaming Whilst Black never loses sight of the comedy – particularly in the surreal moments and dream sequences that give us an insight into the bizarre workings of co-creator and star Adjani Salmon’s mind.

Stream series 1 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education, Daddy Issues, The White Lotus) continues her rise to stardom with this romantic comedy, which she created and wrote alongside Ralph Davies (Big Boys). After a mental health wobble, Evie (Wood) hasn’t left the house in six months and lives for her weekly “film club” nights with best friend Noa (Juice’s Nabhaan Rizwan). But when Noa announces he’s moving away, Evie is forced to confront the reality of her situation. Witty and emotional, the series co-stars Suranne Jones (Vigil), Liv Hill (Miss Austen) and Adolescence breakout star Owen Cooper.

Stream series 1-5 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

When Alison (Charlotte Ritchie, Feel Good) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Stath Lets Flats) inherit a sprawling old house, they’re joined by a diverse group of former residents who just happen to be dead – and only Alison can see them. Co-created by Mathew Baynton, Jim Howick and other cast members from Horrible Histories, Ghosts became a huge hit praised for its smarts, sweetness and silliness.

Its final episode in 2023 broke hearts in households up and down the country. And there’s good news for those who’ve been telling themselves it wasn’t over: a feature film started shooting in early 2026! While you’re waiting for that to arrive, there’s a US version also in Apps > BBC iPlayer (plus French, German, Australian and more versions in the works).

Stream series 1-3 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Here We Go is a broad TV comedy in the best sense of the word – its appeal is clear to literally everyone. Set up as a documentary of family life “filmed” by the youngest son, it’s the freshest and funniest take on the well-worn mockumentary format in years. The series stars big hitters in Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd), Jim Howick (Ghosts) and Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey) and cements all three as some of this country’s finest comic talent, while Freya Parks’ direct looks to camera are the most devastating since Martin Freeman’s in The Office. It was created by Tom Basden, who went on to make the award-winning 2025 comedy movie The Ballad Of Wallis Island with Tim Key.

Stream series 1 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Alan’s been away working in Saudi Arabia but despite that country’s success, he felt incomplete. Now, back in the UK, he’s stopping, crouching down and asking, “How are you?” The latest venture for Steve Coogan’s legendary presenter finds him tackling into the issues that affect us all: home life, work, nature, relationships, pastimes and a sixth topic he hasn’t worked out yet. Ever since his screen debut in The Day Today, Partridge has been making us laugh uncontrollably – as well as this 2025 series, you can watch series 1-2 of This Time With Alan Partridge in Apps > BBC iPlayer. 

Stream series 1-9 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

The brilliant, darkly comedic anthology series from Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton ended in 2024 with its ninth series (of course), and it’s given us a feast of brilliantly macabre delights. It is endlessly creative without any limits to the style or substance of an episode; from downright terrifying horror (“The Harrowing”) to comedy caper (“Wuthering Heist”) to family drama (“Last Night Of The Proms”). 

There tend to be only two rules: the action needs to take place inside something that has a number nine on it, and there needs to be a twist. The show’s live Halloween special is probably the scariest thing on TV since Ghostwatch – while remaining spookily funny.

Stream series 1-5 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Mobeen Deen (Guz Khan, who also created the series) is a former drug-dealing ne’er-do-well trying to stay on the straight and narrow after being left to raise his teenage sister. Although he keeps getting pulled into scrapes both trivial and serious (even ending up in prison at the end of series 3), Mobeen keeps on plugging away. Man Like Mobeen has been praised for showing the realities of life for many young working-class British Muslims, and for creating characters and situations that feel realistic and substantial. And also for being extremely funny, driven by Khan’s off-kilter, quick-witted charm and charisma.

Stream series 1-5 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Like all-time great The Office (also in Apps > BBC iPlayer), this is a BAFTA-winning mockumentary that revolves around confident men who are utterly delusional about their charm and abilities. Rather than a paper company, it’s set inside Kurupt FM, a pirate radio station pumping out UK garage and drum and bass from a flat in Brentford, west London.

MC Grindah (Allan Mustafa), DJ Beats (Hugo Chegwin), DJ Steves (Steve Stamp) and their manager Chabuddy G (Asim Chaudhry) are convinced that global musical success is within their reach; the show’s hilarious pathos comes from the fact that it is almost certainly not, but you root for them anyway. A modern classic.

Stream series 1 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Michael (Pearce Quigley) has been drifting without purpose in the years since his fiancée Clea disappeared. But when his dad (Michael Palin) shows him how to create the mysterious Homunculi – miniature, humanlike creatures who can predict the future – he’s got a new reason to get out of bed every day. Whatever his bemused neighbours (Jon Pointing and Sophie Willan) might think.

Small Prophets was created, written and directed by Mackenzie Crook and, like Crook’s Detectorists (see above, also featuring Quigley), it has a gentle, unhurried tone with an undercurrent of grief and frustration, as well as a gorgeous folky theme tune. But it also has an otherworldly feeling that makes it stand out – and that, since its launch in February 2026, has helped make it one of the BBC’s biggest comedy hits in recent times.

Stream series 1-3 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

You don’t get many TV shows set in rural Gloucestershire, which is perhaps one of the reasons why This Country – created by Daisy May Cooper with her brother Charlie – shone so brightly. It follows the Mucklowe cousins Kerry (Daisy May) and Lee, aka Kurtan (Charlie), as they deal – often ineptly – with the boredom and social claustrophobia of life in a sleepy Cotswolds village.

The Coopers’ performances are deeply silly yet utterly believable, the writing is note-perfect (see Kerry describing her purchase of an alpaca as “physically my largest mistake”), and the tone is often genuinely poignant; this is a show that never punches down at its characters. Prepare to shed actual tears when saying goodbye to Kerry and Kurtan at the end of series 3.

Stream series 1-7 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Have you watched this wonderful comedy about a suburban Glasgow street and the couples who live on it? If not, why not? Because it’s possibly the finest Scottish sitcom since Rab C Nesbitt (there’s even some connective tissue between the two, with Elaine C Smith appearing in both).

Eric (Alex Norton) and Beth (Arabella Weir) dream of a quiet life, but cannot escape the neighbours who continue to drop into their house unannounced and uninvited. The show takes the idea that you can never choose your neighbours to the extreme: Doon Mackichan’s Cathy is one of the great sitcom beasts, while Smith’s life-force-draining Christine is equally iconic.

Stream series 1-2 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Canadian artist Freya (Kyla Harris) decides it’s time to take the plunge and move across the Atlantic to live with her long-distance boyfriend Abe (Darren Boyd). Only thing is, she’s tetraplegic and needs care. Could her best friend Jo (Elena Saurel) provide a solution? Their relationship has already been through some rocky patches, and that was before Freya asked Jo to deal with her constipation issues… This disarmingly frank and occasionally unhinged comedy was created by Harris and her own best friend Lee Getty, based on their real-life experiences, and returned in February 2026 with new episodes.

Here are even more great comedies to enjoy in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Avoidance
Stream series 1-2 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Boarders
Stream series 1-3 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Can You Keep A Secret?
Stream series 1 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Daddy Issues
Stream series 1-2 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Him & Her
Stream series 1-3 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Fleabag
Stream series 1-2 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Juice
Stream series 1-2 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Just Act Normal
Stream series 1 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Mammoth
Stream series 1-2 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Only Child
Stream series 1 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Rev.
Stream series 1-3 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Spent
Stream season 1 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

St Denis Medical
Stream season 1 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Starstruck
Stream series 1-3 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Such Brave Girls
Stream series 1-2 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

The Trip
Stream series 1-2 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Trying
Stream seasons 1-3 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

What We Do In The Shadows
Stream seasons 1-6 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Witless
Stream series 1-3 in Apps > BBC iPlayer

The Young Offenders
Stream seasons 1-5 in Apps > BBC iPlayer 

Twenty Twenty Six is streaming in Apps > BBC iPlayer from Wednesday 8 April, and it’s also showing on Wednesdays at 10pm on BBC Two HD (CH 102). Twenty Twelve and W1A are also available to stream in Apps > BBC iPlayer now.