10 Shows and Movies Similar to Fleabag (2016)

Description: This groundbreaking series shares Fleabag's fearless exploration of trauma, sexuality, and self-discovery through a female lens. Both shows use dark humor to process painful experiences, feature complex female protagonists who break the fourth wall, and blend genres to create a unique storytelling style. The raw emotional honesty and stylistic experimentation make them kindred spirits.

Fact: Michaela Coel wrote, created, co-directed, and starred in the series. The show was inspired by Coel's own experience of sexual assault. It won numerous awards including a BAFTA for Best Mini-Series.

Description: This Australian comedy shares Fleabag's blend of humor and heartbreak, with a protagonist who uses wit to deflect emotional pain. Both shows tackle mental health issues with sensitivity and humor, featuring flawed but lovable characters navigating messy relationships. The tone similarly balances laugh-out-loud moments with sudden emotional gut-punches.

Fact: Created by and starring Josh Thomas when he was just

Description: This female-led comedy shares Fleabag's raunchy humor and celebration of female friendship. Both shows feature unconventional female protagonists navigating life with chaotic energy and unapologetic honesty. The humor is similarly bold and boundary-pushing, with a distinctly feminine perspective.

Fact: The show began as a web series before being picked up by Comedy Central. Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson met at the Upright Citizens Brigade theater. The series finale featured a cameo from Hillary Clinton.

Description: Donald Glover's surreal comedy shares Fleabag's innovative storytelling approach and genre-blending style. Both shows mix humor with poignant social commentary, featuring protagonists navigating complicated personal and professional lives. The visual aesthetics of both series are distinctive and carefully crafted to reflect the characters' inner worlds.

Fact: Donald Glover became the first Black director to win an Emmy for comedy directing for the episode 'B.A.N.'. The show blends realism with magical realism and surreal elements. Many episodes deviate from the main storyline to tell standalone stories.

Description: Like Fleabag, Catastrophe is a dark comedy that explores modern relationships with raw honesty and sharp wit. Both shows feature flawed protagonists navigating love, sex, and personal failures, with a mix of humor and pathos. The writing is similarly candid and unflinching, tackling taboo subjects with a refreshing lack of sentimentality.

Fact: The show was created by and stars Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, who also wrote much of the series together. The chemistry between the leads was so strong that many viewers assumed they were a real-life couple. The series was praised for its realistic portrayal of marriage and parenting, avoiding typical rom-com tropes.

Description: Issa Rae's comedy shares Fleabag's focus on female friendship, romantic misadventures, and the awkwardness of modern adulthood. Both shows feature relatable, imperfect female protagonists who frequently make questionable decisions. The humor stems from painfully real situations, balanced with moments of genuine emotional depth.

Fact: The show originated from Issa Rae's popular YouTube series 'Awkward Black Girl'. The soundtrack features exclusively Black artists. Each season's episode titles form a sentence when read together.

Description: Michaela Coel's breakout comedy shares Fleabag's irreverent humor and frank discussion of female sexuality. Both protagonists are young women navigating relationships and self-identity with awkward honesty. The shows share a similar energy - bold, sexually frank, and unapologetically feminist while remaining deeply funny and human.

Fact: Michaela Coel created the show while still in drama school. The series originated from Coel's one-woman play 'Chewing Gum Dreams'. It won two BAFTAs, including Best Female Performance in a Comedy for Coel.

Description: This dark comedy-drama shares Fleabag's blend of humor and melancholy, with protagonists who use cynicism to mask deep emotional wounds. Both shows feature internal monologues that reveal the disconnect between characters' thoughts and actions. The tone similarly balances absurdity with genuine emotional stakes.

Fact: Based on a graphic novel by Charles Forsman. The entire first season was shot in just 19 days. The show's distinctive visual style was inspired by 1970s American road movies.

Description: Like Fleabag, Ramy explores spiritual crisis and personal growth through a deeply personal lens. Both protagonists grapple with faith, family expectations, and their own moral failings. The shows share a similar tone - at once funny, uncomfortable, and profoundly human - with flawed but sympathetic central characters.

Fact: Ramy Youssef based much of the show on his own experiences growing up as an Egyptian-American Muslim. The show won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for Youssef. It features one of the first mainstream American TV depictions of a Muslim family.

Description: Like Fleabag, Shrill centers on a complex female protagonist navigating self-acceptance and societal expectations. Both shows tackle body image issues and female sexuality with humor and honesty. The protagonists similarly grow from self-deprecating observers to more confident women claiming their space in the world.

Fact: Based on Lindy West's memoir 'Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman'. Aidy Bryant co-developed the series and stars as the lead. The show was praised for its body-positive message without making weight the sole focus of the character.