Comedyis contagious; once we develop a palate for it, there’s no going back. Fundamentally, comedy acts as a catalyst, ingraining itself into multiple genres while contributing to the culmination of a story without diluting its innate essence. Since the inception of literature and cinema, comedy has been an integral part of writing. Over time, it has branched out into numerous sub-genres, including dark comedy, observational comedy, satire, aggression, physical humor, surrealism, sitcoms, and more. Among these, dark comedy has emerged as one of the most therapeutic sub-genres, simultaneously invasive and soothing. From a scientific perspective, the rise of dark comedy can be attributed to humanity’s inherent tendency to be satirical. When discussing the brilliance of comedic phenomena, it is the Brits who truly excel at delivering subtle dark humor, leaving the audience in stitches.
Dark comedy and satireare closely intertwined, particularly in the realm of British TV content. From the iconic Peter Cook to the unrivaled Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the inclination to be irreverent and facetious has permeated various mediums. British humor, in general, is often associated with the absurdity of everyday life. British writers infuse earnest desire to display outright heretical and derisive qualities into their writings. This unique perception of comedy is what makes the British the uncrowned kings of dark humor. British comedy shows are dotted with skillful use of innuendo, coupled with an inherent inclination that is deeply ingrained in their creative endeavors.
Dark comedies are an amalgamation of repugnant emotions and sinister tendencies that are ironically benign. They are addictive, super fun, poignant, and prominent. Here is a list of the 10 darkest British comedy shows, ranked, to bring a weary smile to your face.
10Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace (2004)
Gaining cult status after decades of its release,Garth Marenghi’s Darkplacedons the show-within-a-show trope that’s set in a hospital purported to be a portal to hell. Developed as part-soap opera and part-80s horror parody,Garth Marenghi’s Darkplaceis lauded for its dichotomy of being silly and macabre, with not-so-appreciable visual effects and cranky one-liners. While many shows have dabbled in the subtlety of meta-humor and horror comedy,Darkplacejustifies the comedy drenched in British humor with an endless supply of horror that was deemed “so much” by broadcast bureaucrats back in the day.
Related:Best British TV Shows of All Time
9Ideal (2005-2011)
The practice of not-taking-things-too-seriously might doom us in the real world, but in television territories, it is a preserved formula to muster laughs from eerie experiences. Speaking of the formula, the long-lived dark comedyIdealhas mastered the art of derivation by integrating surreal, dark, and adult comedy.
Created by the ardent music lover, Graham Duff,Idealfocuses on a complacent and frivolous weed seller, Moz, whose clients range from vagrants to mouse-masked serial killers, each creating irrevocable repercussions in his life.Ideal’seccentricity hails from the dark themes in each episode. Albeit the dark gloomy circumstances, Moz, played by Johnny Vegas, keeps the show afloat and engaged.
8Back to Life (2106-Present)
Back to Lifeis an open invitation for the audience to introspect and reflect upon mistakes in life. The show reminds us thatredemption’s not a distant shore, but a journey we embark upon, forevermore. Set in a world where humor meets strife, where the human spirit’s resilience takes flight,Back to Lifeembraces its bittersweet tone and an artistic gem that will forever enthrone. Dark comedy births from a symbiotic relationship between naivety and doltishness.
Daisy Haggard’sBack to Lifeis one such triggering dark comedy that’s worth a watch. Released from prison, where she served her years, Miri (Haggard) returns to her quaint coastal town. In the town that has moved on during her imprisonment, Miri embarks on a quest to redeem her life.Back to Life’s brilliance lies in its storytelling’s grace, melding comedy and drama with a poet’s embrace. The sharp writing in the show cuts through the facade, revealing human truths with a touch both soft and hard.
7Monkey Dust (2003-2005)
Remember when thekid Michael ScottfromThe Officeconfessed on a TV show that he wanted to have 100 kids so that he could have 100 friends who would never leave him? WatchingMonkey Dustis equivalent to that very darkening emotion that sits behind the caricaturist pastiche. Extended into a three-part dimensional series,Monkey Dustis an intricately depicted animated show that has more to say than to show.
The show, much like its title, underlines the abhorrent reality of society, cleverly depicting it as bleak, lifeless, and opaque. Set in a gothic world where the fascists are far too busy to care for the people,Monkey Dustis a social commentary that is blatant and not at all family-friendly. The amount of darkness in the show overshadows the underlying comedy that’s ruminative, paradigm-altering, and funny at times. If you are aiming to watch a show that unleashes repressed perspectives into pictures, thenMonkey Dustis a tailor-made sketch awaiting your acquaintance.
Related:The Best Dark Comedy Anime, Ranked
6Flowers (2016-2018)
In the disturbingly anamorphic series,Flowers,Olivia Colman playsa mother of two creatively indented children: a son who’s an innate inventor and a daughter who’s a musician like her mother. Despite not being very profound at the time of its release,Flowersis a cleverly synthesized dramedy with many precipitated dark emotions. The show boldly addresses thedepths of mental illness, and also the frailty of relationships.
Written and created by Will Sharpe, the infuriatingly amusing sitcom chronicles the lives of a family capturing the arch of how mental illness and insecurity can lead to macabre circumstances.Flowershas a weird way of making you weep and laugh at the same time, it is one of the finest British dark comedies in recent times.
5Jam (2000)
There’s no finite way to deftly articulate the abyss of dark humor inJamcreated by the most controversial comedian in the world, Chris Morris. Released as a limited sketch comedy series,Jamexemplifies sardonic satirical comedy surmounting Morris’s much frowned-upon classicsFour Lions(2010) andBrass Eye(1997).
Jamis an artistic creation that defies categorization and demands to be experienced firsthand. Its surrealistic brew of absurdity, social commentary, and dark humor is a testament to the power of unconventional storytelling. Beyond its surrealistic veneer,Jamserves as a vessel for incisive social commentary. With biting satire and a keen eye for the idiosyncrasies of society, the show delivers profound observations in the most unexpected ways.
4After Life (2019-Present)
This satirical masterpiece, created by andstarring Ricky Gervais, etches deep into the heart with its meditative narrative. In substance,After Lifeis about a bereaved widower turned misanthrope who perceives the world as a place that evicted his wife.
Tony Johnson, played by Gervais, embodies the traits of a desolated character who treats the world as his punch bag. The emotions in the show dance at the brink of insanity making it therapeutic and funny.After Lifeis a cathartic rant on the metaphysical world with soulful emotions and resonating comebacks from the characters. The show demolishes the customs of social etiquette through its protagonist but soars in capturing the mundanity of life.
3Camping (2016)
If the British dark comedy is Themyscira, Julia Davis is its Wonder Woman! WithCamping, she soars at crafting a poignant epitome of ripening comedy. Releasedas a six-part limited series,Campingchronicles the events of a well-planned but null-executed birthday party (that’s kissed by all the bad luck in the world).Campingrewrites everything the comedy world regarded as maxims to create a dark comedy and triggers morbid events involving the prime characters.
What seems like an ebullient family event,Campinggradually rolls into unexpected turns of dark events that leave a great visceral impact. Amidst the plethora of comedic masterpieces penned by the phoenix Julia Davis, Camping clinches victory for its authenticity in dark British humor.
2This Way Up (2019-Present)
Created by and starring Aisling Bea,This Way Upfollows the life of Aine, a young Irish woman who is recovering from a nervous breakdown. Aine, played spectacularly by Bea, is a witty and charismatic character who tries to navigate her way through everyday life while dealing with her mental health struggles.
This Way Upis a nuancedportrayal of mental health issues. The series effectively combines humor and drama to address the challenges faced by individuals dealing with mental health problems. The series stands out as a testament to the power of storytelling in raising awareness and understanding of mental health, while still providing an entertaining and engaging viewing experience.
1The League of Gentlemen (1999-2017)
From local shopkeepers to deranged circus performers,The League of Gentlemenpresents a twisted and macabre portrait of human nature, drawing inspiration fromclassic horror tropesand British comedy traditions. The series takes place in the fictional town of Royston Vasey, a disturbing and isolated community filled with eccentric and grotesque characters.
The series showcases a dark and often disturbing sense of humor, delving into themes of obsession, sexuality, and social dysfunction. It pushes the boundaries of comedic taste, presenting uncomfortable and taboo subjects with an unapologetic and audacious approach.
The League of Gentlemenmay not be for everyone. Its dark and unconventional humor can be polarizing, with moments that may be too unsettling or offensive for some viewers. The series takes pleasure in subverting expectations and challenging societal norms, often pushing the boundaries of what is deemed acceptable in mainstream comedy.
