The Government Inspector review — a Gogol revival with slapstick
The comedians Rik Mayall and Julian Barratt have been drafted in to spice up the central role in past productions. This time the honour falls to the stand-up comedian Tom Rosenthal, star of the TV shows Plebs and Friday Night
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Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
ITV sitcom lauded as 'the funniest ever made' rockets up the Netflix charts four full seasons arrive on streamer
An ITV sitcom dubbed 'the funniest ever made' has rocked up the Netflix chart after four full series dropped on the streamer. Plebs, created by Sam Leifer and Tom Basden, hit our screens on ITV back in 2013 and wrapped up six years later. Over the years there has been 39 episodes across five seasons. But fans were treated to a one-off special in 2022. Netflix's synopsis reads: 'Three hapless young men pursue love, good times and jobs that won't kill, maim or humiliate them in the anything-goes city of ancient Rome.' It stars the likes of Tom Rosenthal, Joel Fry, Ryan Sampson, Tom Basden and Karl Theobald. Although the sitcom finished in 2019, the programme is still a huge fan favourite and many will be over the moon to know that it's now available to watch on Netflix. The first four seasons of Plebs are available on the streaming service. Series one has six episodes to watch, while the other three have eight to enjoy. Clearly people are absolutely loving the show on Netflix, because it's currently sitting at number three in the charts. Many have rushed online to share their positive reviews about the show on Google reviews. 'The funniest, most brilliantly written comedy ever made.' 'Smart and hilarious! Great characters.' 'Original funny and very entertaining. I love the ska/rocksteady soundtrack. Great cast too.' 'One of the funniest sitcoms I've come across. Cast change to begin season 4 details the season to start but ends up working well with the new cast and setting change.' Many rushed online to share some positive reviews about the popular programme, which is now available to watch on Netflix 'I've watched every episode of this I think it's brilliant. Clever how it's an ancient setting but modern humour.' 'Plebs is the funniest, most brilliantly written comedy ever made in our opinion. 'And it's frustrating that it feels totally underrated. 'The final feature length film had us in tears as well as in stitches! Brilliant!! 'We will miss it so much!!' Meanwhile others have taken to IMDB to do the same. 'Hilarious view of Ancient Rome.' 'Loving this - it's pretty much The Inbetweeners do Ancient Rome. Class.' Others took to IMDB to share their positive reviews about the show 'I loved this show, so much so that its now my most recommended show to my friends. 'Everyone is weary when i first tell them the premise and when they first see it. By the 2nd episode they also become a fellow plebeian. 'Give the show a try at least 2 episodes! You will most likely not regret it.' 'Charming, likable characters, upbeat music and a unique setting. This show is very easy to watch and get into.'
Daily Record
13-08-2025
- Daily Record
Netflix adds 'must watch' British TV comedy hailed as 'brilliant' by viewers
The ITV sitcom first streamed on ITV2 with fans already calling for Netflix to make the fifth series available Netflix has recently added a new British TV comedy show, with viewers already raving about the "brilliant" programme. The show has left many in stitches, and been labelled as a must-watch for comedy buffs. Plebs, which originated on ITV, has been praised by viewers as the "funniest British TV comedy ever made" as people rush to binge-watch it. The programme is currently sitting in third place on Netflix's top 10 ranking of most popular television shows. The ITV sitcom has a total of five series to binge, however only the first four are currently on Netflix. Fans have already called for the fifth series to be added. Plebs became a hit on ITV2 when it aired, with surprise guest stars that included the likes of Danny Dyer as Cassius the Gladiator. The show concluded in 2022 with a special feature-length Christmas episode, which saw the boys enlist in the army during peace time, before war broke out, sending them to the front line to fight for a cause they did not believe in. Fans have already taken to google to leave good reviews, with one person describing it as "the funniest, most brilliantly written comedy ever made". They added: "It's frustrating that it feels totally underrated. The characters are all so funny in their own right and the stories in each episode are final feature length film had us in tears as well as in stitches! Brilliant!! We will miss it so much!!" Someone else echoed: "Just finished binge watching the whole show and I loved it! Hate I found it so late in the game. It's a must watch!" "I've watched every episode of this," wrote another fan. "I think it's brilliant. Clever how it's an ancient setting but modern humour. Hope they make a season 6." The show has been described as a crossover between Horrible Histories and The Inbetweeners, full of juvenile humour which focuses on a group of unfortunate pals living circa 26BC amid the Roman Empire. Plebs follows the three unlucky lads, Marcus (Tom Rosenthal), Stylax (Joel Fry) and their house-slave Grumio (Ryan Sampson) as they take on the big city of Rome. Aside from all the chaos and hilarity throughout, you could also learn a thing or two about the ancient Romans. The show takes its history seriously, with esteemed historian Mary Beard said to be credited as an adviser on the show. However not everyone had glowing reviews, as some felt the show lost its spark by time the fourth series came along. One person wrote: "Excellent show! Belly laughs through the first three series'. Fell flat in the fourth series. Replacing the charm of Stylax with the horrible smarm of Jason was a huge huge mistake." "Its bonkers and there are some moments where it's far too reliant on second hand embarrasment, but it's still a good laugh and still quite a novel concept," another wrote.
Metro
12-08-2025
- Metro
Netflix fans rush to binge 'funniest British TV comedy ever made'
Plebs recently arrived on Netflix and has already shot up the streaming service's ranking of top 10 TV shows. The ITV sitcom ran for five seasons, so if you're looking for a comedy with enough episodes to get lost in, this could be it, with the first four seasons now on the streamer. Touted as Horrible Histories meets The Inbetweeners, the show is chock-full of puerile humour centred around a group of hapless friends living circa 26BC amid the Roman Empire. The comedy follows three luckless lads – Marcus (Tom Rosenthal), Stylax (Joel Fry) and their dense house-slave Grumio (Ryan Sampson) – as they take on the big city of Rome. Chaos, hijinks and plenty of humiliating hiccups ensue – and you just might learn something about the ancient Romans along the way, whether that be about gladiatorial sports or the mechanics of getting together for an orgy (yes, really). Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. The show takes its history surprisingly seriously, with producers that hold classics degrees as well as esteemed historian Mary Beard credited as an adviser on the show. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The show became a sleeper hit on ITV2 when it aired, with surprise guest stars that included the likes of Danny Dyer as Cassius the Gladiator. The show bowed out in 2022 with a special feature-length Christmas episode entitled Soldiers of Rome, which saw the boys enlist in the army during peace time, before war breaks out (naturally), sending them to the front line to fight for a cause they do not believe in. Since Netflix added four seasons to the platform (no sign of the fifth one there yet), the show has raced up to the third spot on the streaming service. It's likely no surprise given the good reviews watchers have already shared on Google, with Kate describing it as 'the funniest, most brilliantly written comedy ever made' – so high praise. They added: 'It's frustrating that it feels totally underrated. The characters are all so funny in their own right and the stories in each episode are excellent. More Trending 'The final feature length film had us in tears as well as in stitches! Brilliant!! We will miss it so much!!' Will John echoed: 'Just finished binge watching the whole show and I loved it! Hate I found it so late in the game. It's a must watch!' 'I've watched every episode of this,' wrote Amelia Kendal-Williams. 'I think it's brilliant. Clever how it's an ancient setting but modern humour. Hope they make a season 6.' View More » Plebs is available to watch on Netflix and ITVX. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Cate Blanchett reveals how her Squid Game cameo was kept secret – and teases spin-off MORE: WWE world champion pulled from Raw 'on medical grounds' just hours before show MORE: Games Inbox: What's the best way to play Nintendo Switch 2?
