My Top 5 BBC iPlayer Boxsets

I’d like to think one of my many hidden talents is being able to binge watch anything and everything. After all, I did watch eight seasons of Suits in two weeks (I also did pretty appallingly in my AS-Levels as a result but that’s another story for another day!) So, in the midst of lockdown, what better to do than scour BBC iPlayer for some fun and exciting series to watch!

Outnumbered

I absolutely loved this series growing up! It stars comedian and Mock the Week Star, Hugh Dennis, and Claire Skinner as working parents trying to navigate their life with three young children. For anyone growing up in the early to mid-noughties this series is so so relatable; from getting up in the morning for school, being forced to tidy up and tackling homework! Whilst the adults dialogue is scripted, most of the children’s dialogue is improvised which makes it ten times more hilarious! 

Little Britain

“Yeah but no but yeah but no but.” This is an absolute classic from the comedic geniuses that are David Walliams and Matt Lucas. This programme is styled as a guide for “non-British people”, and parodies British society with the two comedians playing the main cast. Naturally, the show hasn’t been without criticism and certainly isn’t PC, but all in all its an absolutely hilarious show which is bound to make you laugh!

Gavin & Stacey

Another absolute classic throwback from the mid noughties! Gavin & Stacey actually aired on BBC Three when it was a TV channel, which served as a nice treat after I watched EastEnders on BBC One! The series documents the long-distance relationship of you guessed it; Gavin & Stacey! Along the way we meet other hilarious characters, like Pam, Michael, Smithy, Nessa, Gwen and of course our favourite Welsh uncle, Bryn! This is an absolute heart-warming classic show with lots of twists and turns along the way!

Sherlock

Whilst there are many adaptations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic book this is by far my favourite. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock and Martin Freeman as Dr John Watson. Whilst these two characters are the absolute antithesis of each other, they complement each other so beautifully. The episodes are long enough to keep you gripped, with its dark twists and turns and 21^st century setting. The series also stars Andrew Scott as the devious Jim Moriarity, so for those of you who are fans of Fleabag’s “hot priest” you’re in for a treat with this one! 

Normal People

For anyone who hasn’t seen this yet- are you living under a rock! This 12-part series is an adaptation of Sally Rooney’s bestselling novel, and tells the story of Irish students Marianne and Connell, as they navigate life beyond sixth form and into university. Without spoiling too much, the two leads (Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal), deliver an absolutely beautiful, raw and emotional performance throughout the series, and it is well and truly a heart-warming and emotional watch. 

How can I watch these boxsets?

Follow the link which takes you straight to BBC iPlayer’s home page! You can find the boxsets by finding them in the search bar.