Fleabag might not be a show that is on everyone’s radar at the moment, but it is quickly becoming one of the most acclaimed shows on television. From the multi-talented Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the unique British comedy follows a young woman’s strange way of navigating single life in London.
The show is moving, dark and utterly hilarious, making it a very exciting show to get into. The show has wrapped its second season and doesn’t look like it will return so if you’re already looking for a suitable replacement, there are some great shows to help fill the void. Here are some of the shows to watch if you like Fleabag.
Killing Eve
Killing Eve is an example of just how diverse of a talent Waller-Bridge is. This engrossing series follows an MI6 agent as she attempts to track down a deadly and unpredictable female assassin. As the two play their game of cat-and-mouse, they develop an obsession with each other.
The show might sound nothing like Fleabag, but Waller-Bridge’s voice is all over it. The show handles the sexy thriller element well but it is the unique sense of humor that separates it from most of the other shows in this genre.
Barry
It seems that television is being taken over by funny people showing that they have a lot more to offer than just laughs. Bill Hader was once known as the guy from Saturday Night Live but has now created this darkly-comedic and fascinating HBO series.
Barry follows a disillusioned and troubled hitman who begins pursuing his new dream of becoming an actor. Like Fleabag, the show can jump between deep and disturbing material to laugh out loud moments without feeling too jarring.
After Life
Before Waller-Bridge was the most exciting British voice on television, there was Ricky Gervais. With shows like The Office and Extras, Gervais seemed to have the golden touch with creating hilarious and awkward comedy series. His latest show, After Life, is another fine entry on his resume.
Gervais stars as a man who recently lost his wife. Without a reason to live, he decides to embrace all his worse tendencies and tell the world how he really feels. The humor is dark but hilarious with Gervais having fun pushing boundaries. It is also a touching story at times.
Malcolm In The Middle
Given most of the shows on this list, a fun network comedy about a dysfunctional family might seem like an odd inclusion. It’s true the shows don’t share a lot in common, it’s hard not to reminded of Malcolm in the Middle while watching Fleabag.
The seven-season sitcom centers on Malcolm, the middle child in a chaotic and outrageous family. The show is known for Malcolm’s fourth-wall-breaking in which he discusses the events of the show with the viewers. Fleabag uses the same technique and it is likewise a great comedic tool for the show.
Russian Doll
Though Fleabag might not sound like a totally unique show just based on its premise, it is the main character that makes the show something special. The same could be said of the Netflix series, Russian Doll starring Natasha Lyonne as a woman trapped in a time loop in which she keeps dying.
This is an angle that has been used a lot recently in big movies like Edge of Tomorrow and Happy Death Day. However, the blunt and cynical main character gives it a fresh feel and the sharp humor feels akin to Fleabag’s fun voice.
Crashing
Though recent years seem to suggest Phoebe Waller-Bridge has been an overnight success with multiple acclaimed projects happening simultaneously, her television career is a bit longer than you might think. Crashing was an early series she helped create and starred in which is a great precursor to her work in Fleabag.
Not related to the recent HBO series of the same name, this British comedy followed a group of young friends living together and dealing with complicated relationships. The awkward and cringe-inducing moments in this series are mirrored in Fleabag as well as Waller-Bridge’s distinct voice.
BoJack Horseman
Few shows are brave enough to go to some of the dark places that BoJack Horseman does – let alone animated shows. The Netflix series is set in a Hollywood filled with anamorphic animals and follows the depressed and disturbed washed-up television star, BoJack Horseman.
This is another series that uses comedy to tell a character study of its main character. BoJack is not an easy character to like and even when he seems to be on the path to redemption, he reminds us how flawed he really is. As dark as things can get, it’s also filled with wild and hilarious humor.
Broad City
The lifestyle presented in Fleabag, while entertaining, is maybe not the most desirable in reality. This mirrors the constant struggles and hilarious hijinks of the main characters in Broad City. The comedy series follows best friends Ilana and Abbi as they make a mess of even the most mundane aspects of daily life.
The big city living in both series is depicted with the same outrageous humor in both shows. While Broad City is the more outlandish of the two shows, the female perspectives of dating life and money troubles showcased in both does feel similar.
Spaced
Before he was one of the most exciting filmmakers around, Edgar Wright was making a hugely entertaining British comedy show called Spaced. Starring his friends and collaborators Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, the series centers around two young friends who pretend to be a couple so they can live together in London.
The show is a great look at the kind of humor and fun Wright would later bring to his very successful film career. The sharp wit is very reminiscent of Fleabag and the unflattering look at the London dating scene is explored with great fun in both series.
Atlanta
If there is one person in Hollywood that is working harder than Phoebe Waller-Bridge, it would have to be Donald Glover. Though his work in movies and music is incredibly impressive, his masterpiece is his FX series Atlanta.
Glover stars as a young man hoping to escape his aimless life by managing his up-and-coming musician cousin. The show is wildly funny but also explores very intense and moving themes. Like Fleabag, its distinct voice is delivered through Glover as it continues to do new and shocking things.
