Fleabag is a British black comedy television series created and written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, based on her one-woman show first performed in 2013. It was originally produced by Two Brothers Pictures for digital channel BBC Three in a co-production agreement with Amazon Studios. Waller-Bridge stars as the title character, a free-spirited and sexually active but angry and confused young woman in London. Sian Clifford and Olivia Colman also star, while Andrew Scott joined the cast in the second series. The protagonist frequently breaks the fourth wall to provide exposition, internal monologues, and a running commentary to the audience.
The show premiered on 21 July 2016 and concluded its second and final series on 8 April 2019. It received widespread acclaim from critics, particularly for its writing, acting, and the uniqueness and personality of the title character. Waller-Bridge won the British Academy Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance for the first series. The second series received 11 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and won six, with Waller-Bridge earning Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress, and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series; additional acting nominations were received by Clifford, Colman, and guest stars Fiona Shaw and Kristin Scott Thomas. The series received the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series and Best Actress for Waller-Bridge, and a nomination for Scott.
Background
The show is adapted from Waller-Bridge’s 2013 Edinburgh Festival Fringe one-woman play of the same name which won a Fringe First Award. The initial idea of the character of Fleabag came from a challenge by a friend, where Waller-Bridge was given the task of creating a sketch for a 10-minute section in a stand-up storytelling night.
Cast and characters
- Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Fleabag (although never named in the script)
- Sian Clifford as Claire, Fleabag’s sister
- Olivia Colman as Fleabag and Claire’s godmother, who began a relationship with their father not long after their mother’s death and eventually became their stepmother.
- Bill Paterson as father of Fleabag and Claire
- Brett Gelman as Martin, Claire’s husband
- Hugh Skinner as Harry, Fleabag’s ex-boyfriend
- Hugh Dennis as Bank Manager, approached by Fleabag for a loan
- Ben Aldridge as Arsehole Guy, one of Fleabag’s love interests
- Jamie Demetriou as Bus Rodent, one of Fleabag’s love interests (series 1)
- Jenny Rainsford as Boo, Fleabag’s deceased best friend and business partner
- Andrew Scott as the priest, with whom Fleabag falls in love (series 2)
- Fiona Shaw as Fleabag’s counsellor (series 2)
- Kristin Scott Thomas as Belinda, a successful businesswoman who meets Fleabag at an awards ceremony presented by Claire (series 2)
- Ray Fearon as Hot Misogynist, who serves as Fleabag’s lawyer and one of her love interests (series 2)
- Angus Imrie as Jake, Martin’s teenage son and Claire’s step-son
- Christian Hillborg as Klare, Claire’s Finnish business partner and love interest (series 2)
- Jo Martin as Pam, who works at the priest’s church (series 2)
Episodes
| Series | Episodes | Originally aired | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | ||||
| 1 | 6 | 21 July 2016 | 25 August 2016 | ||
| 2 | 6 | 4 March 2019 | 8 April 2019 | ||
Series 1 (2016)
| No. overall |
No. in series |
Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | “Episode 1” | Tim Kirkby | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | 21 July 2016 | |
| Fleabag has a one-night stand with Arsehole Guy, before picking up another man on the bus, Bus Rodent, to whom she recounts how she split from her regular boyfriend, Harry. After being refused a business loan by Bank Manager for her failing café, she meets and argues with her high-achieving sister, Claire, at a feminist lecture. She visits her father and godmother, from whose home studio she steals a sculpture of a woman’s torso. On a taxi ride home, she recounts how her best friend Boo (with whom she started the café) accidentally killed herself after her boyfriend cheated on her. | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | “Episode 2” | Harry Bradbeer | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | 28 July 2016 | |
| Fleabag tries to sell the stolen statue to Claire’s art dealer husband, Martin. She runs into Arsehole Guy, but the awkward sex that ensues makes her run back to her emotionally fragile, on-and-off boyfriend, Harry. Harry leaves her for good, however, after she scares him in the shower, and after he discovers that she has been lying about giving up masturbation. | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | “Episode 3” | Harry Bradbeer | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | 4 August 2016 | |
| Fleabag helps Martin buy a present for Claire, who is organising her own surprise birthday party. She reconnects with Bus Rodent and takes him to the party. To Fleabag’s shock, Martin gifts the stolen sculpture to Claire. Later, a drunken Martin attempts to kiss Fleabag, but is rebuffed. | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | “Episode 4” | Harry Bradbeer | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | 11 August 2016 | |
| Courtesy of their father, Fleabag and Claire reluctantly visit a female-only silent retreat, where they frequently break the rule of silence. Fleabag admits to Claire that she stole the sculpture, and Claire asks her to return it. At the retreat, Fleabag runs into Bank Manager, who is attending a neighbouring workshop following a sexual harassment scandal at work. The two bond over their shared unhappiness. Claire reveals that she has been promoted to a lucrative position in Finland, but considers turning it down for the sake of her family. Fleabag attempts to persuade her to take the job by telling her of Martin’s behaviour at the party. | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | “Episode 5” | Harry Bradbeer | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | 18 August 2016 | |
| On the anniversary of their mother’s death, Fleabag and Claire return to their family home for the annual memorial lunch. Fleabag takes the opportunity to restore the sculpture to her godmother’s studio. Things get heated, and plans are being made for her “sex-hibition”. Claire re-steals the sculpture for Fleabag, after which Fleabag rekindles her relationship with Arsehole Guy. | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | “Episode 6” | Harry Bradbeer | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | 25 August 2016 | |
| Fleabag goes to the “sex-hibition”, and finds that she was invited to act as a waitress; she makes a scene in response. She is dumped by Arsehole Guy, and then discovers that Harry has a new girlfriend. To Fleabag’s surprise, Claire has turned down the Finland offer and decides to stay with Martin, who has convinced her that Fleabag made the move at the party. Their confrontation triggers a flashback, revealing that Fleabag was the woman with whom Boo’s boyfriend cheated. After being turned away by her father, a heartbroken and guilt-ridden Fleabag contemplates suicide, but is stopped by Bank Manager, who happens to pass by. After listening to her confession, Bank Manager decides to offer her another shot at the business loan for the café. | ||||||
Series 2 (2019)
| No. overall |
No. in series |
Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 1 | “Episode 1” | Harry Bradbeer | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | 4 March 2019 | |
| Having cut ties with her family after the events of series one, Fleabag returns after one year to join an uncomfortable family dinner, celebrating her father’s engagement. She finds herself intrigued by the priest, who is to officiate at the wedding. Claire has a miscarriage during the dinner but refuses to inform anyone or seek medical help. Fleabag covers for her by claiming the miscarriage. Martin’s flippant attitude angers Fleabag, who initiates a fight with him. The sisters proceed to go to hospital in a cab. | ||||||
| 8 | 2 | “Episode 2” | Harry Bradbeer | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | 11 March 2019 | |
| To Claire’s surprise, Fleabag’s café is now a thriving business. The sisters visit their family, where Fleabag is once again treated dismissively by their step-mother to be. Claire reveals that Martin is planning to press charges against Fleabag for assault. Fleabag goes to a counselling session, which affirms her desire for the priest. She connects with him, helps him out at a garden party and attempts to court him. | ||||||
| 9 | 3 | “Episode 3” | Harry Bradbeer | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | 18 March 2019 | |
| Fleabag helps with an award event at Claire’s work, where she discovers Claire’s crush on a Finnish colleague, Klare. The event almost ends in disaster but Fleabag manages to salvage the situation. Claire remains angry at her nonetheless. Fleabag has a profound conversation with Claire’s co-worker Belinda at a bar. She continues to flirt with the priest, but he remains unwilling to violate his vows of celibacy. In a moment of metafiction, the priest begins to notice Fleabag breaking the fourth wall. | ||||||
| 10 | 4 | “Episode 4” | Harry Bradbeer | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | 25 March 2019 | |
| The priest and Fleabag’s pleasant day together ends on an unhappy note when she rebuffs his attempt at getting to know her more and helping with her troubles. She looks back on her painful memories of her mother’s funeral. At night, Fleabag goes to pray at the church, where she meets the drunken priest and they establish a closer bond. After Fleabag’s confession, the two enjoy a moment of passion but the priest has second thoughts and is unable to carry through. | ||||||
| 11 | 5 | “Episode 5” | Harry Bradbeer | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | 1 April 2019 | |
| The priest informs the family that he is no longer able to officiate at the wedding, before telling Fleabag not to visit his church again. Claire falls into a state of panic after having second thoughts about her new haircut. Fleabag comforts her and Claire is further reassured when Klare declares he loves her new look. After another argument with Martin, Fleabag gets a visit from the priest. The two have sex. | ||||||
| 12 | 6 | “Episode 6” | Harry Bradbeer | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | 8 April 2019 | |
| On the day of the wedding, Fleabag gives her godmother the stolen sculpture. Claire reveals to Martin the truth about her miscarriage, before deciding that she will leave him. Fleabag persuades Claire to go after Klare and helps her father through the wedding. After the ceremony, the priest and Fleabag admit their love for each other but he has chosen faith over her. The two break up on amicable terms. | ||||||
Distribution and broadcast
The women behind the Fleabag monologue interviewed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2013. Performer Phoebe Waller-Bridge is in the centre.
BBC Three was the original broadcast channel for the show with a repeat run broadcast on BBC Two between 21 August and 25 September 2016. The second series was broadcast on BBC One at the same time as being released on BBC Three, by this time only available online.
It was picked up by the on-demand Amazon Prime Video (formerly Amazon Video) service and premiered in the United States on 16 September 2016. Fleabag is also available on IFC in the US. In the Netherlands, it was picked up by Net5.
The show has been remade for French television by Jeanne Herry. Titled Mouche (French for ‘fly’, the insect), it started airing on 3 June 2019 on pay channel Canal+. Mouche is a close remake, though set in Paris with Camille Cottin in the starring role.
Reception
Critical response
| Series | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100% (40 reviews) | 88 (19 reviews) | |
| 2 | 100% (94 reviews) | 96 (21 reviews) | |
Both series of Fleabag received widespread acclaim from television critics. At review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, both series received approval ratings of 100%. The first series received an average rating of 8.5/10, based on 40 reviews, with the site’s critical consensus reading: “Clever and viciously funny, Fleabag is a touching, wildly inventive comedy about a complicated young woman navigating the aftermath of trauma.” The second series received an average rating of 9.33/10, based on 94 reviews, with the critical consensus stating: “Fleabag jumps back into the fray with a bracing second season that upholds its predecessors’ frenzied wit and delicate heart, replete with Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s indefatigable charisma”. At Metacritic, the first series received a weighted average score of 88 out of 100, based on 19 critics, while the second series received a score of 96, based on 21 critics, both signifying “universal acclaim”.
Emily Nussbaum of The New Yorker described the first series as “a precision black-humor mechanism, a warped and affecting fable about one single woman’s existence.” Maureen Ryan at Variety called it “scathingly funny”, concluding that “long after it’s pulled you in with its irreverence and jokes about sex, and beguiled you with its cutting wit and messily human characters, it reveals that it’s actually a tragedy”. Hank Stuever of The Washington Post characterised it as a “funny, highly profane but surprisingly poignant dramedy”. Mike Hale in The New York Times praised the show for its “restless, almost feral energy and its slap-in-the-face attitude.” Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times commended its unpredictability, acting, and “clear eye for truth that often becomes, like all good comedy, quite devastating”.
Serena Davies of The Daily Telegraph lauded the second series as “a near-perfect work of art”. Mary Elizabeth Williams of Salon praised its “brilliant swan song”, finding the series’s conclusion satisfying and “well-earned”. For Rolling Stone, Alan Sepinwall wrote that the “tragicomic masterpiece reaches new heights in its second outing”. James Poniewozik of The New York Times wrote that “the new season feels immediately confident, if inevitably less groundbreaking. Yet it continues to push its form”. Hannah Jane Parkinson of The Guardian described the conclusion as “the most electrifying, devastating TV in years”, writing of the second series that “it seems as though many who either did not watch the first series, or who didn’t think it lived up to the hype, have been converted”.
According to Metacritic’s aggregate of decade-end lists, Fleabag was the second-highest ranked show of the 2010s. In 2019, it was ranked 8th on The Guardian’s list of the 100 best TV shows of the 21st century.
Former United States President Barack Obama named the second series of Fleabag among his favourite films and television series of 2019. In his annual list, which he released on Twitter on 29 December 2019, he added a small addendum with the title, “and a quick list of TV shows that I considered as powerful as movies: Fleabag: Season 2, Unbelievable, and Watchmen.
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Broadcast Awards | Best Comedy Programme | Fleabag | Nominated | |
| Best Original Programme | Won | ||||
| Best Multichannel Programme | Won | ||||
| Critics’ Choice Television Awards | Best Comedy Series | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress in a Comedy Series | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Nominated | |||
| 2017 | British Academy Television Awards | Best Scripted Comedy | Fleabag | Nominated | |
| Best Female Performance in a Comedy Programme | Olivia Colman | Nominated | |||
| Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Won | ||||
| British Academy Television Craft Awards | Best Editing: Fiction | Gary Dollner | Nominated | ||
| Best Writer: Comedy | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Nominated | |||
| Breakthrough Talent Award | Nominated | ||||
| Broadcasting Press Guild Awards | Best Writer | Won | |||
| Dorian Awards | Unsung TV Show of the Year | Fleabag | Nominated | ||
| Gold Derby Awards | Best Comedy Series | Nominated | |||
| Best Comedy Actress | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Nominated | |||
| Best Comedy Supporting Actress | Olivia Colman | Nominated | |||
| Golden Nymph Awards | Best TV Comedy Series | Fleabag | Won | ||
| Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Won | |||
| Gotham Independent Film Awards | Breakthrough Series – Long Form | Fleabag | Nominated | ||
| NME Awards | Best TV Series | Won | |||
| Rockie Awards | Best Comedy Series – English Language | Won | |||
| Royal Television Society Awards | Best Writing – Comedy | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Won | ||
| Breakthrough | Won | ||||
| Television Critics Association Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Comedy | Fleabag | Nominated | ||
| Individual Achievement in Comedy | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Nominated | |||
| Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Awards | Best TV Situation Comedy | Fleabag (for “Episode 1”) | Won | ||
| 2019 | Gold Derby Awards | Best Comedy Series | Fleabag | Won | |
| Best Comedy Actress | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Won | |||
| Best Comedy Supporting Actor | Andrew Scott | Won | |||
| Best Comedy Supporting Actress | Olivia Colman | Nominated | |||
| Best Comedy Guest Actress | Fiona Shaw | Nominated | |||
| Best Comedy Episode of the Year | Harry Bradbeer and Phoebe Waller-Bridge (for “Episode 1”) | Won | |||
| Harry Bradbeer and Phoebe Waller-Bridge (for “Episode 6”) | Nominated | ||||
| Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Comedy Series | Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Harry Bradbeer, Lydia Hampson, Harry Williams, Jack Williams, Joe Lewis and Sarah Hammond | Won | ||
| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Phoebe Waller-Bridge (for “Episode 1”) | Won | |||
| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Sian Clifford (for “Episode 3”) | Nominated | |||
| Olivia Colman (for “Episode 4”) | Nominated | ||||
| Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series | Harry Bradbeer (for “Episode 1”) | Won | |||
| Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series | Phoebe Waller-Bridge (for “Episode 1”) | Won | |||
| Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series | Kristin Scott Thomas (for “Episode 3”) | Nominated | ||
| Fiona Shaw (for “Episode 2”) | Nominated | ||||
| Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series | Olivia Scott-Webb | Won | |||
| Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (Half-Hour) | Tony Miller (for “Episode 1”) | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series | Gary Dollner (for “Episode 1”) | Won | |||
| Satellite Awards | Best Musical or Comedy Series | Fleabag | Won | ||
| Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Series | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or TV Film | Andrew Scott | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or TV Film | Olivia Colman | Won | |||
| Television Critics Association Awards | Program of the Year | Fleabag | Won | ||
| Outstanding Achievement in Comedy | Won | ||||
| Individual Achievement in Comedy | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Won | |||
| 2020 | Art Directors Guild Awards | Excellence in Production Design for a Half-Hour Single-Camera Series | Jonathan Paul Green (for “Episode 5”) | Nominated | |
| British Academy Television Awards | Best Scripted Comedy | Fleabag | Nominated | ||
| Best Female Performance in a Comedy Programme | Sian Clifford | Won | |||
| Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Nominated | ||||
| Virgin TV’s Must-See Moment | “The Confessional Scene” | Nominated | |||
| British Academy Television Craft Awards | Best Director: Fiction | Harry Bradbeer | Nominated | ||
| Best Editing: Fiction | Gary Dollner | Nominated | |||
| Best Writer: Comedy | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Nominated | |||
| Cinema Audio Society Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Television Series – Half Hour | Christian Bourne, David Drake and James Gregory (for “Episode 2”) | Won | ||
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | Excellence in Contemporary Television | Ray Holman (for “Episode 2”) | Nominated | ||
| Critics’ Choice Television Awards | Best Comedy Series | Fleabag | Won | ||
| Best Actress in a Comedy Series | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | Andrew Scott | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Sian Clifford | Nominated | |||
| Dorian Awards | TV Comedy of the Year | Fleabag | Won | ||
| TV Performance of the Year—Actress | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Won | |||
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Fleabag | Won | ||
| Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | Andrew Scott | Nominated | |||
| Peabody Awards | Entertainment | Fleabag | Won | ||
| Producers Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television – Comedy | Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Harry Bradbeer, Lydia Hampson, Harry Williams, Jack Williams, Joe Lewis and Sarah Hammond | Won | ||
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Sian Clifford, Olivia Colman, Brett Gelman, Bill Paterson, Andrew Scott and Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series | Andrew Scott | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Won | |||
| 2020 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Best Entertainment or Comedy Play | Fleabag | Nominated | |
| Best Actress | Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Nominated | |||
Notes:
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Music
Waller-Bridge’s sister, Isobel Waller-Bridge, composed the music for both series.
Home media
| Series | Episodes | Release date | Additional | Ref(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 2 DVD (UK) | Region B Blu-ray (UK) | Region 4 DVD (AU) | ||||
| 1 | 6 | 3 October 2016 | 15 October 2018 | 28 March 2018 | Distributor
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| 2 | 6 | 6 May 2019 | TBA | Distributor
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| 1 & 2 | 12 | 6 May 2019 | TBA |
See individual release for all other information |
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