We love the British for their tea, football, and dry humour. In fact, their natural knack for humour has given us great comedies over the years. We handpick three classic British comedy shows on Amazon Prime Video that have stood the test of time and make for a great watch even now.
What can we say about Mr. Bean that you don't already know and love? Rowan Atkinson, the actor who has immortalised the loveable character, once described him as 'a child in a grown man's body'. Mr. Bean, even though an adult, can't seem to do any daily tasks without hiccups. His brown teddy bear called Teddy is his sole best friend. The series is a masterclass in physical comedy and slapstick humour. The gags will make you belly laugh even if you're having a really bad day. At times you can't tell Atkinson apart from his character of Mr. Bean, it's like they're the same person. Whether you're an adult or a child, you cannot miss watching this show.
This two-seasoned political satire of eight-episodes each is a sequel to the 1980s British sitcom Yes, Minister. In the first episode, Prime Minister James Hacker (Paul Eddington) while discussing his country's defence, seems rather baffled when he realises that just one word from him can trigger a nuclear bomb."Just like that? Wouldn't anybody argue with me?" he asks. And just like that, you know you're in for a treat. Like its predecessor, Yes, Prime Minister is brave, funny and highly enjoyable. Apart from Eddington, it's Chris Larkin as the PM's principal private secretary Bernard Woolley and Zoe Telford as the sharp young advisor Claire Sutton that stand out. If you love politics and you love comedy, then this is a cocktail you just don't want to miss.
Created by Adil Ray (who also plays the protagonist Mr. Khan), this British sitcom is set in Sparkhill, East Birmingham and focuses on the British-Pakistani family of four – the Khans. The voiceover before each episode – 'Welcome to Sparkhill, Birmingham, the capital of British Pakistan' – sets the tone for the series. While the miser Mr. Khan is a loudmouth self-appointed community leader, his wife Mrs. Khan (Shobu Kapoor) is a kind lady who loves their daughters Shazia (Maya Sondhi and Krupa Pattani) and Alia (Bhavna Limbachia). Alia is the most identifiable character in the series. She's a different person when she's in front of her parents (pretending to read the Quran) and quite another when she's away from them. With a play on the title of Orson Welles' film Citizen Kane, the five-seasoned Citizen Khan is a breezy and fun watch with short 30-minute episodes. Also, watch the series for some notable guest stars, like Sadiq Khan, the serving Mayor of London since 2016.
Recommendations in collaboration with Amazon Prime Video.