Watching Rowan Atkinson’s Mr. Bean on PBS with my grandma as a child is what first got me interested in British humor. Something about the voice of Zazu from The Lion King playing a simple man who can’t overcome his quirks inspired an interest in me of all things British. Some of my favorite television series of the modern era have come from across the pond, including Little Britain, Absolutely Fabulous, and Miranda. On July 20th, Hulu and BBC America will introduce Yankees to a new hits show from the United Kingdom called This Country.
This mockumentary series depicts a different side of England than most American viewers are used to, a far cry from Love Actually, Bridget Jones’ Diary, or Paddington. This Country takes place in a rural area and stars adult cousins Kerry and Kurtan, played by Daisy May and Charlie Cooper, real-life siblings who created the series and also serve as writers. When the first episode starts, it’s just these two characters with a false sense of entitlement and a mouth full of crass words. Be sure to have the internet handy if you want in on some of the uniquely British jokes (Don’t lookup “Belend” if you’re easily offended).
The debut episode, “Scarecrow,” finds Kurtain getting very upset about his pitch placement at the local scarecrow judging competition. It starts off slow, but the more you get to know the characters, the funnier the laughs get. I wasn’t initially loving the series, but within the last five minutes of the premiere featured a masterful piece of editing that left me in stitches, I couldn’t stay away.
For review purposes, I also got to see the second episode of the first series titled “Mandy,” which finds Kerry and Kurtain sinking to newer lows. After learning that a teacher they hated has died, they walk through the streets celebrating her passing, which upsets a particularly brash neighbor who is learning to be a tattoo artist. To make peace, Kerry agrees to receive a free tattoo despite the inker having no discernible talent.
This Country began in the UK in 2017 and just wrapped its second series. On July 20th, Hulu subscribers will have access to all twelve episodes of this hilarious new show, which appears to be exclusive to the streaming platform for the time being. It’s full of wonderful British humor, including a moment where Kerry confronts on old man and ends it by saying “Hogwarts is that way, Dumbledore.” In the UK, a third series and a 40-minute special have already been ordered.
Others have compared This Country to other mockumentary-style shows, particularly The Office, but that’s an unfair comparison. It doesn’t have the variety of characters or the setting limitations posed in that series and feels uniquely original. If I had to compare it to anything, I would say it’s like taking Vicky Pollard from Little Britain, toning her down, giving her a brother, and setting her inside a Christopher Guest film like Waiting for Guffman. It’s brilliant and I want more of it.
Brew a pot of Twinnings, grab a tube of Hobnobs and a carton of Celebrations and settle in for a weekend of binge watching This Country, exclusively on Hulu starting July 20th.