14 Best TV Shows Like Fleabag

This article contains discussions of sexual assault and addiction.

In mere two short TV seasons, the small-screen adaptation of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s one-woman play titled “Fleabag” has earned its place among the most cherished dark comedies on television, and it is simple to comprehend why. Penned and acted by Waller-Bridge herself, this series follows a woman named Fleabag, who can only be characterized as an utter disaster, as she navigates through her tumultuous life. This includes coping with the death of her friend Boo (portrayed in flashbacks by Jenny Rainsford), managing her sometimes exasperating family consisting of her father (Bill Paterson), godmother-turned-stepmother (Olivia Colman), and sister Claire (Sian Clifford), and seeking love, initially with her doomed boyfriend Harry (Hugh Skinner) and later with a priest (Andrew Scott). Furthermore, it is extremely funny.

If you find yourself drawn to the complex and relatable character of Fleabag, here are some TV shows I recommend you check out next. From witty romantic comedies that challenge societal norms, to thought-provoking miniseries that delve deep into the human psyche, and even a reality TV show that caused quite a stir on Bravo – there’s something for everyone!

You’re the Worst (2014-2019)

Fleabag” presents an exceptionally unique take on love, particularly in its second season, and if you’re seeking a romantic comedy with a sharp edge, then “You’re the Worst” should definitely be on your watchlist. In the series premiere, Gretchen Cutler (Aya Cash) and Jimmy Shive-Overly (Chris Geere) cross paths at a wedding – it’s Becca’s (Janet Varney), an ex of Jimmy’s – where Gretchen attempts to pilfer a wedding gift (a blender was her goal). They end up spending the night together and discover they don’t detest each other, leading to a relationship that leaves Gretchen’s capricious friend Lindsay Jillian (Kether Donohue) puzzled and Jimmy’s long-term roommate Edgar Quintero (Desmin Borges) surprised.

The show “You’re the Worst,” without a doubt, carries a heavy, somber tone. A recurring joke revolves around Edgar’s military past, where he cryptically says, “I didn’t know it was a school.” Without context, it adds to the show’s mysterious and ominous atmosphere. When Gretchen discloses her battle with severe clinical depression in the second season, it’s a powerful, emotionally charged scene. Despite its serious undertones, “You’re the Worst” is one of the most hilarious shows you can find, appealing to both hopeless romantics and hardened cynics. Currently, you can stream it on Hulu.

Crashing (2016)

Were you drawn to watch “Fleabag” primarily because you found Phoebe Waller-Bridge captivating as an actress? If so, I’d recommend checking out “Crashing,” a series from 2016 that marked Waller-Bridge’s debut as both a producer and writer. Prior to this, she appeared in the second season of “Broadchurch” and a British sitcom called “The Café.” In “Crashing,” Waller-Bridge plays Lulu, one of six individuals living in an abandoned English hospital who have agreed to care for the property at a low rent. Given that six young people are sharing a rundown space, it’s no surprise that emotions run high, particularly since Lulu is there mainly to visit her childhood friend Anthony (Damien Molony).

Thanks to an outstanding group of actors, among them a relatively young Jonathan Bailey before his prominent role in the “Wicked” movies as Prince Fiyero Tigelaar, and Waller-Bridge’s distinctive humor, “Crashing” is a blast! It serves as proof that “Fleabag” wasn’t a fluke for Waller-Bridge. You can watch it on Netflix.

Killing Eve (2018-2022)

If you’re looking for a captivating love story without Phoebe Waller-Bridge but still under her creative direction initially, consider the critically acclaimed series “Killing Eve”. This gripping drama spanned four seasons, with Waller-Bridge overseeing the first season before passing the mantle to other talented creators. Notably, Emerald Fennell took charge for Season 2, followed by Suzanne Heathcote in Season 3 and Laura Neal in Season 4.

The show revolves around Eve Polastri (portrayed by Sandra Oh), a British intelligence officer, following her departure from “Grey’s Anatomy”. Her quarry is Oksana Astankova, a ruthless serial killer and assassin known as Villanelle, brilliantly played by Jodie Comer.

“Killing Eve” offers an electrifying cat-and-mouse game that you won’t forget easily. The protagonists, Eve and Villanelle, are drawn to each other in a way that makes their pursuit last for seasons; their mutual fascination and undeniable attraction create a compelling dynamic that feels like they want to extend their chase as long as possible.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but recommend “Killing Eve.” Although Phoebe Waller-Bridge was merely the head writer for Season 1, the show is an absolute must-watch until its mind-bending, jaw-dropping finale. If you’re looking to catch up on it now, you’ll find “Killing Eve” streaming on both Netflix and Paramount+.

This is Going to Hurt (2022)

Initially, the 2022 British miniseries “This Is Going to Hurt,” based on Adam Kay’s book, might not appear similar to “Fleabag.” However, a striking similarity arises when two main characters directly address the audience by breaking the fourth wall. The series primarily revolves around doctors working in England’s National Health Service for women’s reproductive health, highlighting the challenges they encounter daily. Two key characters, portrayed by Ben Whishaw as Adam Kay and Ambika Mod as Shruti Acharya, confront the camera and candidly share their true emotions about the situations they are dealing with at that moment.

Whishaw and Mod are two exceptionally gifted performers. Whishaw has demonstrated his talent in productions like “Fargo” and “A Very English Scandal,” not to mention his vocal work in the “Paddington” films. Meanwhile, Mod captured attention with her role in the 2024 Netflix miniseries “One Day.” Despite “This Is Going to Hurt” lacking the humor of “Fleabag,” it matches its emotional depth. You can catch this series on AMC+.

Catastrophe (2015-2019)

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but notice the uncanny resemblance between the bold, unapologetic portrayal of flawed characters in “Fleabag” and the equally captivating dark comedy “Catastrophe,” penned and performed by Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney. In this series, Sharon and Rob, played by the talented duo themselves, are far from perfect – a quality that resonates beautifully with viewers. The story begins when they share an unexpected one-night stand, with Rob, an American visiting London for work, and Sharon, who later discovers she’s pregnant and decides to keep the baby. This life-altering event sends shockwaves through Rob’s existence, as he relocates to London to assume the role of father. The couple eventually marry and have a second child, providing the show with a rich canvas to explore their challenges in love, life, and parenthood against the backdrop of London.

Catastrophe,” a recent television series, stands out as one of the funniest due to the brilliant writing and acting skills of creators Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan. Despite its comedic nature, it doesn’t shy away from tackling heavy themes, such as Rob’s journey towards recovery from alcohol addiction. Notably, Carrie Fisher delivers one of her final on-screen performances in the series as Rob’s sharp-tongued mother, Mia. You can stream “Catastrophe” on Amazon Prime, and regardless of whether you are a parent or not, this hilarious and impactful show is sure to resonate with viewers.

I May Destroy You (2020)

If you can handle the intense and challenging themes presented in “Fleabag,” then you should be able to tackle “I May Destroy You,” a miniseries penned by its lead actress Michaela Coel. The story revolves around Arabella Essiedu (Coel), who experiences a surge of success with her debut novel “Chronicles of a Disenchanted Millennial.” However, she now grapples with creative blockage and aimlessly wanders through London. One fateful night, Arabella and her friends Terry (Weruche Opia) and Kwame (Paapa Essiedu) go out for drinks. During this evening, Arabella is subjected to a sexual assault in a bar restroom by an unidentified perpetrator. With fragmented recollections of the incident, Arabella embarks on a quest to uncover her attacker’s identity and understand their motives.

Without a doubt, the series “I May Destroy You” is a challenging yet essential viewing experience. The way Michaela Coel fearlessly dissects topics like assault, millennial life, and consent is nothing short of remarkable. Over six episodes, this HBO and BBC original has the power to deeply affect you… perhaps even shatter you… yet it will also leave you pondering its themes long after watching. You can stream this thought-provoking production on Max.

I Hate Suzie (2020-2022)

Are you a fan of complex and sometimes unappealing female leads, like the character in “Fleabag”? If so, I’d recommend adding “I Hate Suzie” to your watchlist. This series, comprising only two brief seasons, was co-created by Billie Piper – globally recognized for her role as companion Rose Tyler alongside David Tennant on “Doctor Who” – and her creative partner Lucy Prebble. The show revolves around actress Suzie Pickles (Piper). In the premiere episode, Suzie’s phone is hacked, leading to embarrassing images of her being shared online without her consent (which seems quite similar to a predicament that might have befallen Fleabag). This event sets off a chain reaction, effectively destroying Suzie’s life. As each subsequent episode explores the “eight stages of trauma” (inspired by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’ renowned stages of grief), Suzie struggles to rebuild her life amid dwindling job prospects and an increasingly stable family situation.

This series spans a complete first season and an additional three episodes, creatively named “I Hate Suzie Too”. It offers humor, darkness, suspense, making it an ideal continuation if you’ve recently finished binge-watching “Fleabag”. You can stream it conveniently on Max.

High Fidelity (2020)

Restating the idea in a more conversational manner: Transforming a classic film into a TV series isn’t always successful, but it was a brilliant move for one particular case: The Hulu series “High Fidelity,” which is inspired by both Stephen Frears’ movie and Nick Hornsby’s novel. This time, the main character, Rob (who owns a record store), is now a woman named Robyn (who prefers to be called Rob) played superbly by Zoë Kravitz. She perfectly encapsulates the millennial apathy and casual vibe that makes Rob so captivating as she grapples with understanding why all her relationships end disastrously. Surrounded by actors like Jake Lacy, Da’Vine Joy Randolph (before her Oscar win for “The Holdovers”), and Ken Kingsley Ben-Adir who will later star as “Barbie”, Kravitz’s Rob navigates life in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Similar to “Fleabag,” both Rob and Fleabag break the fourth wall and engage with the audience.

Regrettably, the popular series “High Fidelity” was terminated by Hulu following its first season in 2020; however, if you seek an exceptional single-season television experience, it is currently available for streaming on their platform instead.

Atlanta (2016-2022)

Currently, Donald Glover’s innovative, outstanding TV series “Atlanta” stands as a television phenomenon with minimal introduction required. Debuting on FX in the autumn of 2016, it swiftly established itself as one of the most influential comedies of its era. Starring Donald Glover as Earn, a music manager striving to propel his primary client and cousin, Alfred (Brian Tyree Henry, known as “Paper Boi” in the rap world), toward stardom, “Atlanta” also features Lakeith Stanfield as Earn’s friend Darius and Zazie Beetz as Vanessa, Earn’s ex-girlfriend and mother of his child. Each episode of this series serves to narrate an expansive range of tales, frequently deviating from Paper Boi’s pursuit of fame to craft captivating standalone episodes.

It seems there’s a connection between “Atlanta” and “Fleabag”, as Donald Glover, who created “Atlanta”, was inspired by “Fleabag” to develop his show. Although they didn’t collaborate on the “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” reboot, both shows offer an intimate portrayal of their creators’ characters. You can currently watch “Atlanta” on Hulu.

Russian Doll (2019-2022)

If you enjoyed the show “Fleabag” but felt it was missing an unusual supernatural twist, then you might appreciate “Russian Doll.” Produced by Leslye Headland (“The Acolyte”), Amy Poehler, and star Natasha Lyonne, this Netflix original series revolves around the character Nadia Vulvokov, a software engineer who mysteriously dies at her 36th birthday party and wakes up in her bathroom. In a strange turn of events, Nadia finds herself stuck in a time loop, repeatedly dying like a video game character, and she’s on a quest to discover why this is happening, how she ended up here, and how to break free from it. Along the way, she encounters a fellow time-loop resident named Alan Zaveri (Charlie Barnett) who becomes instrumental in her journey.

Thanks to Natasha Lyonne’s solid portrayal, the series “Russian Doll” manages to remain realistic and not overly whimsical, despite Nadia’s life constantly restarting … so if you appreciate time loops, sharp dialogue, and deep character explorations, you can stream “Russian Doll” on Netflix right now.

Girls (2012-2017)

In essence, Lena Dunham’s character Hannah Horvath from “Girls” paved the way for Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag, as the groundbreaking show ignited countless discussions about nudity, millennials, and satire. Set in New York City during the 2010s, “Girls” offers a brilliant snapshot of that era, featuring Hannah – a complex, often annoying, yet identifiable young woman who aspired to represent her generation, even if she wasn’t necessarily its spokesperson. Her friends Jessa Johansson (Jemima Kirke), Marnie Michaels (Allison Williams), and Shoshanna Shapiro (Zosia Mamet) were by her side, along with her partner Adam (Adam Driver in his debut role). Hannah frequently made mistakes, but she was always intriguing to observe.

Following its completion, the TV series “Girls” has experienced a reemergence as viewers understand that the characters were not intended to be aspirational by creator Lena Dunham. Instead, their exaggerated and awkward “millennial” traits were used satirically. If you’re curious about this controversial yet exceptional show, you can stream it on Max now.

Baby Reindeer (2024)

Essentially, “Fleabag” dealt with facing past traumas and understanding how they continue to affect one’s life, and now, years later, the miniseries “Baby Reindeer” carries on that theme. Similar to “Fleabag”, “Baby Reindeer” is based on the one-man show created and performed by Richard Gadd, with a focus on his character Donny Dunn. As Donny helps out a struggling patron at a pub named Martha Scott (portrayed by Jessica Gunning), Martha becomes increasingly fixated on him. This terrifying obsession forces Donny to defend himself, but he also must confront a string of sexual assaults from his past.

Just as “Fleabag” garnered significant recognition at awards ceremonies with its Emmy and Golden Globe wins, “Baby Reindeer” has followed suit. If you haven’t had a chance to watch it yet, make sure to pay attention to any potential triggers and stream the series on Netflix.

Hacks (2021-present)

In “Fleabag,” Fleabag shares a complex, affectionate bond with her sister Claire. Although the dynamic in “Hacks” between Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels is different, there’s still a striking similarity between these two comedies. At the start of “Hacks,” Deborah, an aging comedian residing in Las Vegas, recruits Ava, a struggling millennial writer, to help her with material for her act; despite frequent clashes based on cultural and personal differences, Ava and Deborah develop an uneasy yet loving relationship, both in their professional lives and at a deeper emotional level.

If you’re still craving the charm and humor of “Fleabag” but want something slightly distinct, give “Hacks” a try! Created by Paul W. Downs and Lucia Anello, the Emmy-winning series boasts Smart’s stellar performance and overall excellence, much like “Fleabag.” You can find it streaming on Max now.

Vanderpump Rules (2013-present)

While it may initially appear unrelated to suggest “Vanderpump Rules,” a reality series following young staff at a Los Angeles restaurant embroiled in drama such as fights, romances, and more, for those who enjoy “Fleabag” – a show about navigating life’s complexities amidst personal turmoil – there are surprising similarities. In essence, both shows explore the struggles of finding one’s place in a harsh, tumultuous world, as demonstrated by Stassi Schroeder, the queen bee server on Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant SUR (Sexy Unique Restaurant), who experiences pain comparable to Fleabag herself, as her ex-boyfriend Jax Taylor behaves poorly. Additionally, a plotline in “Fleabag”‘s first season involving Fleabag and her best friend Boo may resonate with fans of “Vanderpump Rules,” given the romantic entanglement between Jax and Kristen Doute, Stassi’s best friend.

In the later seasons of “Vanderpump Rules”, emotions such as female suffering and anger become more prominent, notably following the shocking fallout of “Scandoval” – a scandal involving long-term cast member Tom Sandoval who cheated on his partner Ariana Madix with another cast member. The Season 10 episode, labeled “Scandoval,” allows Ariana to express her fury towards her former lover. Interestingly enough, isn’t it reminiscent of the theme in Season 2 of “Fleabag”, where guest star Kristin Scott Thomas spoke about women’s lives being filled with pain? Indeed, both “Vanderpump Rules” and “Fleabag” are exceptional TV series that warrant equal recognition. You can catch “Vanderpump Rules” now on Peacock.

2025-01-30 22:31