15 Best British TV Shows Of The Decade
5. This Way Up
The sitcom has become increasingly ambitious over recent times, and you’ll be hard pushed to find a comedy that doesn’t fold in a degree of drama to add depth to the laughs. Aisling Bea’s This Way Up does this as well as any show in recent memory. The Irish comedian writes and stars in this warm and heartbreaking story of a woman looking to rebuild her life after a nervous breakdown.
This Way Up is an incredibly timely show, with Bea’s character Aine teaching English mostly to immigrants. It deals with post-Brexit Britain with empathy and kindness, never stooping to stereotypes. It also discusses mental health with real wisdom and a wealth of experience - Aine’s recent troubles are always with her, but they never define her as a character or as a human.
Bea is joined by the ever-reliable Sharon Horgan as her more grounded older sister, and the show’s depiction of a family is perfectly crafted and utterly real. This Way Up hits the sweet spot as far as the comedy/drama balance goes, with the often-heartbreaking struggles of this vulnerable woman gelling brilliantly with its wry outlook on modern life in London.
As our society becomes more open to conversations surrounding mental health, it is important that shows like This Way Up reflect this. Bea never preaches or condescends. She merely depicts the hardships of life that can so often go unrecognised with a level of wit and care that many of us can relate to in a big way. These six episodes are beautifully crafted, and with luck, there’ll be plenty more to come.