BBC Three is back, people! We reflect on the channel's most impactful series to date, following its return to broadcast TV
When BBC Three returned as a television channel earlier this year, on 1 February, we breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Look, there are some things best left in the past: indoor smoking areas, blue Monster Munch, the music of The Cheeky Girls. But BBC Three, the channel that brought us Gavin & Stacey, was not one of those things.
The channel first launched on television in 2003, but was taken off broadcast TV and relegated to online-only in 2016, reportedly in a bid to cut running fees and attract younger audiences. But its popularity has prevailed, as it has brought us viewing excellence such as Michaela Coel's I May Destroy You & Fleabag, which are worth their weight in gold (or at very least worthy of being broadcast on actual real life live telly, in our humble opinion…).
The wait is nearly over for the latest Sally Rooney TV adaption.
Anyway, back in November 2021 BBC Three announces its return to live television, and lo and behold in February it arrived.
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We're still not quite over the fantastic news that the channel has returned, so to anticipate all the further good stuff that's coming our way, here's a round-up of our favourites to date, from classics like Gavin & Stacey and Pulling to the newer I May Destroy You and Mood.
BBCI May Destroy You
Michaela Coel's masterpiece revolutionised how we regard sexual consent in the 21st century. Based on a true story from the creator's own life, this nuanced series provides questions rather than answers.
BBCBodies
This dark medical drama from Jed Mercurio (the writer/director behind Line of Duty & The Bodyguard) follows junior doctor Rob Lake as he investigates and unearths the negligent practices of his obstetrics and gynaecology colleague and superior, Roger Hurley.
BBCStarstruck
Comedian Rose Matafeo's masterpiece rom-com series (which she co-writes, produces and stars in), based in London, chronicles the on-off romance between New Zealand ex-pat Jessie and Hollywood A-lister Tom Kapoor, who meet via a chance encounter. Hence comic misunderstandings and romantic hurdles along the way as they struggle to fit into one another's worlds. It's no surprise this series was recommissioned for a second season before the first even aired.
BBCCuckoo
What happens when your daughter returns from her gap year abroad, and brings home with her a hippy American husband – what's more, you absolutely hate him? That's the dynamic explored in this surprisingly heartwarming family British sitcom.
BBCPulling
We know Sharon Horgan (Divorce, Catastrophe, This Way Up) is a safe pair of hands when it comes to comedy, so for fans of her other work it's a no-brainer to take a chance on her debut sitcom, Pulling. It's a comedy centred around three single friends living in Hackney, first broadcast on BBC Three between 2006 and 2009, and starring Horgan alongside Tanya Franks and Rebekah Stanton.
BBCFleabag
Do we even need to justify this inclusion? Fleabag, the brainchild of Phoebe Waller-Bridge based on her one-woman stage play of the same name, is the definitive tragicomedy of our times. It was the show that brought us the Hot Priest; Olivia Colman as a wicked stepmother; infinitely-quotable dramatic monologues ('Hair is everything'); Kristin Scott Thomas' cameo where she actually made us look forward to menopause. If you've seen it, you'll no doubt want to give it a rewatch. And if you haven't seen it yet, where have you been hiding?!
BBCBad Education
Those who, like this writer, have a long-running crush on Jack Whitehall will need no convincing to watch the 2012 drama, which he stars in as a (terrible) secondary school teacher. Other will be reeled in by the brilliant script, the wonderfully-eccentric characters, and the presence of another BBC Three star, Gavin & Stacey's Matthew Horne (a.k.a. Gavin).
BBCMood
Another masterpiece from a one-woman-wonder female creator – BBC Three is excellent for championing female-led talent – this time it's singer/actor/writer Nicole Lecky. Mood centres around the character of Sasha (played by Lecky) who dreams of being a musician but inadvertently becomes entangled in the dark side of influencer culture.
BBCNormal People
This 2020 adaptation of Sally Rooney's bestselling novel was the lockdown watch, featuring the stellar performances of Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal; a gold chain with a cult following; sweeping cinematic shots of Ireland, Italy & Sweden; and – of course – some of the most tenderly-shot romantic scenes on television.
Laura Radford/BBCAmerica/Sid GenKilling Eve
This cat and mouse drama starring Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh looks like it was as much fun to shoot as it was to watch – particularly for Jodie, who plays assassin meets outfit change extraordinaire Villanelle.
BBCThis Country
Proving that fast-paced city living isn't the only lifestyle worthy of telly was This Country, Daisy May & Charlie Cooper's documentary-style comedy about the lives of cousins Kerry and Lee Mucklowe (aka Kurtan) growing up in a modern, rural British village. From the vicar's antics to the furore around the annual harvest festival, this proved for a heartwarming and extremely watchable series.
BBCHim & Her
This “no holds barred” look at coupled-up living starring Russell Tovey and Sarah Solemani, made for entertaining (if occasionally gross-out) watching. If you ever want to destroy the rose-tinted illusion of romance, this was (and still is) the show for you.
BBCGavin & Stacey
Arguably BBC Three's defining show, Gavin & Stacey was the heart-warming comedy that brought us Gav, Stace, Nessa & Smithy, along with their whole cast of extended family and friends: Bryn, Gwen, Pam & Mick – plus Pete & Dawn, Doris and Dave Coaches. Oh and who can forfeit Neil the Baby? We're not quite sure where to reminiscing about all the jokes that came out of this show, but we're still happily rewatching it and praying for yet another Christmas special.
