Best tv shows like Prospects
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Prospects is a British television comedy drama series that was written by Alan Janes and originally shown on Channel 4 in 1986. Created by Euston Films who had a pedigree of producing successful, gritty drama such as The Sweeney and Minder, it followed the exploits of two East End 'geezer' characters - Jimmy 'Pincy' Pince played by Gary Olsen and Billy played by Brian Bovell and their trials and tribulations of making a living in London's Isle of Dogs. Comprising 12 episodes Prospects - with a comic slant, dealt with many of the major issues affecting British society at the height of the "Thatcherite" '80's including unemployment, crime, poverty, regeneration, social change and racism. Prospects gained a cult following and ratings wise it performed well above expectation for Channel 4. At that time Channel Four received a large subsidy from the rival commercial network ITV in exchange for the right to sell airtime; this gave ITV a significant input into the management of the station. The success of Prospects and the fact that it was produced by a subsidiary of the ITV network's largest station Thames Television meant it was moved to a 9pm prime-time repeat slot on ITV in the Spring/Summer of 1987. This fuelled rumours that the network wanted to develop Prospects into a long-running comedy drama series. However despite seeing potential ITV declined the opportunity to develop it beyond the original first series.
IMDB Rating: 8.6
IMDB Votes: 200
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags:
Best tv shows and movies like Prospects (1986):
Similar in 81%
The Little Ones (1965)
Plot Summary:
The story of Ted and Jackie, two London kids who decide to run away to Liverpool and, from there, stow away on a ship bound for Jamaica - the home of Jackie's estranged father.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes:
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family
Country: UK
Duration: 66 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 88%
Common As Muck (1994)
Plot Summary:
Common As Muck is a gritty BBC comedy drama serial focusing on the lives of a crew of bin men and their management staff. It ran for two series.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 261
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 55 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 84%
The Unemployment of Danny London (2010)
Plot Summary:
When Danny London, a star PR guy, finds himself without a job due to layoffs, he struggles to adapt to his new life and those around him that just don't understand.
IMDB Rating: 9.4
IMDB Votes: 197
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 8 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 83%
Knuckle Sandwich (2004)
Plot Summary:
After leaving his small Georgia town behind to start a new life in Los Angeles, aspiring businessman Carter quickly becomes a success. But when he loses his girlfriend and his job in the same morning, he decides to return to his old town with hopes of finding some clarity. With the help of his offbeat parents, his beer-guzzling buddies and an old flame, Carter discovers what is really important in life. Douglas Callan, Morgan Fairchild, John O'Hurley star.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 103
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 87%
Scrapper (2023)
Plot Summary:
Georgie is a dreamy 12-year-old girl who lives happily alone in her London flat, filling it with magic. But when her estranged father turns up out of nowhere, Georgie is forced to confront reality.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 75%
Cleaning Up (2019)
Plot Summary:
This characterful drama focuses on an ordinary working class woman, Sam, who is caught between two worlds - the everyday life of a devoted and loving Mum and the darker, dangerous world of insider trading. While struggling with an online gambling addiction, Sassy office cleaner Sam realises she has access to lucrative Stock Market information which if used correctly could be the answer to all her prayers.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 88%
Going Straight (1978)
Plot Summary:
Going Straight is a BBC sitcom which was a direct spin-off from Porridge, starring Ronnie Barker as Norman Stanley Fletcher, newly released from the fictional Slade Prison where the earlier series had been set. It sees Fletcher trying to become an honest member of society, having vowed to stay away from crime on his release. The title refers to his attempt, 'straight' being a slang term meaning being honest, in contrast to 'bent', i.e., dishonest. Also re-appearing was Richard Beckinsale as Lennie Godber, who was Fletcher's naïve young cellmate and was now in a relationship with his daughter Ingrid. Her brother Raymond was played by a teenage Nicholas Lyndhurst. Only one series, of six episodes, was made in 1978. It attracted an audience of over 15 million viewers and won a BAFTA award in March 1979, but hopes of a further series had already been dashed by Beckinsale's premature death earlier in the same month.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom
Similar in 87%
Love Thy Neighbour (1972)
Plot Summary:
Love Thy Neighbour is a British sitcom, which was transmitted from 13 April 1972 until 22 January 1976, spanning seven series. The sitcom was produced by Thames Television for the ITV network. The principal cast included Jack Smethurst, Rudolph Walker, Nina Baden-Semper and Kate Williams. In 1973, the series was adapted into a film of the same name, and a later sequel series was set in Australia.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 760
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, controversial, sexy, hot
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Not Safe for Work (2015)
Plot Summary:
Comedy drama series portraying a generation struggling with the realities of 21st Century working life and the camaraderie and friendships that bloom in times of difficulty.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 611
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: light, feel good, humorous, contemplative, sitcom, visually appealing
Similar in 77%
State of Mind (2007)
Plot Summary:
A look at the private and professional lives of therapists -- and whether or not these professionals are typically crazier than their patients.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 189
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration:
Plot tags:
Similar in 87%
The Book Group (2002)
Plot Summary:
The Book Group is a comedy drama that aired on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom between 2002 and 2003 and ran for two series. It was written and directed by the American-born Glasgow resident Annie Griffin, who also wrote and directed Festival. It was the winner of two BAFTA Scotland awards. In January 2006, it was announced that screenwriter Andrew Davies would make a feature film adaptation of The Book Group for Film 4, but the project was never started.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 24 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, sitcom, talky, sex comedy
Similar in 81%
Spanish Shame (2017)
Plot Summary:
Is a show about a wedding photographer, Jesús, who in fact wants to be an "artistic photographer", and his complicated relationship with his girlfriend Nuria. In his efforts to devote himself to art and to keep afloat his family and social relationships, Jesús will show an unusual ability to mess up constantly, without a break, and it gets worse and worse every time.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Spain
Duration:
Plot tags: ironic, light, feel good, humorous, entertaining
Similar in 76%
Trust (2003)
Plot Summary:
In a busy corporate law firm, Cooper-Fozard in the City of London, Stephen Bradley and his team work fast and furiously to put together mergers, takeovers and buyouts for a range of clients. But it's never as clear and clinical as that. When colleagues work hard they often play hard too; and working closely sometimes brings people together after hours. Soon you develop a taste for a good deal, and you can sense a suspicious one at forty paces. And above all, though you don't have to like the people you work with, you learn that you do need to trust them.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 152
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 82%
Dreamland (2023)
Plot Summary:
In town of Margate, Eldest sister Trish is pregnant and expecting a girl baby. Her sisters Clare and Leila rally around her with their mum. But other sister Mel makes an unexpected return threatens to destabilize the entire family.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 882
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 22 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 89%
Brassic (2019)
Plot Summary:
A group of working-class friends finding unconventional ways to win at life in northern suburbia. These lads have dealt, scammed, bribed and conned their way through adolescence, but now, on the brink of adulthood, their dealing and stealing is catching up with them and a whole load of trouble is heading their way.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 43 min
Plot tags: realistic, talky, humorous, funny, dark comedy
Similar in 78%
Flack (2019)
Plot Summary:
Robyn, the sharp and witty publicity maven, is an expert at her craft but a complete self-saboteur when it comes to her personal life. Robyn’s work as a crisis PR strategist is fast-paced and unpredictable, as she counsels high-profile personalities in entertainment, fashion and sports.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: psychological, sincere, humorous, captivating, disturbing, erotic
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Derek (2012)
Plot Summary:
Derek is a loyal nursing home caretaker who sees only the good in his quirky co-workers as they struggle against prejudice and shrinking budgets to care for their elderly residents.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 35000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 23 min
Plot tags: sitcom, mockumentary, sincere, humorous, captivating, entertaining, satirical, social, hilarious, sensitive
Similar in 88%
Pure (2019)
Plot Summary:
Marnie is not OK. She's had x-rated thoughts for the last 3672 days and she doesn't know why or what they mean. When she jumps on a coach to London, she doesn't know a soul, not even herself, but in the city she will build a new life.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 35 min
Plot tags: funny, psychological, light, humorous, ironic, emotional, tear jerker, queer cinema, tearjerker
Similar in 81%
Boon (1986)
Plot Summary:
Boon is a British television drama and modern-day western series starring Michael Elphick, David Daker, and later Neil Morrissey. It was created by Jim Hill and Bill Stair and filmed by Central Television for ITV. It revolved around the life of a modern-day Lone Ranger and ex-firefighter, Ken Boon.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 983
Genere: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: detective, realistic, semi serious
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Sick of It (2018)
Plot Summary:
A middle-aged man recently ditched by his long-term girlfriend, ‘Karl’ lives with his elderly Auntie and his closest companion is his doppelgänger alter ego.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: funny, philosophical, offbeat, tragicomedy, sitcom, black comedy, dark comedy
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Mile High (2003)
Plot Summary:
Mile High is a British television drama based on the lives of the cabin crew members of Fresh!, a budget airline based in London. The name of the show comes from the "Mile High Club". The show was broadcast on Sky1 from 2003 to 2005 and subsequently aired again on Sky Three. In 2012, CBS Drama obtained the rights to the series and began to re-run it from the beginning.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 951
Genere: Drama, Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: sexy, emotional, realistic, serious, sincere, hilarious, contemplative
Similar in 85%
No Angels (2004)
Plot Summary:
No Angels is a critically acclaimed British television comedy drama series, produced by the independent production company World Productions for Channel 4, which ran for three series from 2004 to 2006. It was devised by Toby Whithouse.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 458
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 47 min
Plot tags: sexy, humorous, light, captivating, feel good, medical drama, dark comedy, sincere, touching, realistic
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Rock & Chips (2010)
Plot Summary:
Prequel to Only Fools and Horses, set in the 1960s, Joan Trotter is in an unhappy marriage with the work-shy Reg, with whom she has a teenage son, Derek ("Del Boy"). However, the reappearance in Peckham of bank robber, "art connoisseur" and womaniser Freddie Robdal, recently released after a ten year prison sentence, would bring about changes in Joan's life.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious
Similar in 75%
Grafters (1998)
Plot Summary:
Grafters was a British drama–comedy programme originally broadcast in the UK on ITV from 27 October 1998 to 20 December 1999 for 16 episodes over two series. Grafters was based around the Purvis brothers Joe and Trevor, who along with their younger cousin Simon run a successful building business. The show regularly received ratings of over 9 million viewers and at the time was among ITV's most popular drama series. Rumours of a revival surfaced in 2006, but no further episodes have been made.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 208
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 54 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 76%
Ballykissangel (1996)
Plot Summary:
Ballykissangel is a BBC television drama set in Ireland, produced in-house by BBC Northern Ireland. The original story revolved around a young English Roman Catholic priest as he became part of a rural community. It ran for six series, which were first broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom from 1996 to 2001.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 50 min
Plot tags: touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 80%
Love Soup (2005)
Plot Summary:
Bittersweet comedy drama about the eternal search for the perfect partner.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 565
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 59 min
Plot tags: sentimental, humorous, realistic, captivating, sincere, feel good, semi serious, sitcom
Similar in 81%
Beaver Falls (2011)
Plot Summary:
Beaver Falls is a British comedy-drama that follows a trio of Oxford Brookes University graduates who managed to deceitfully get jobs at Beaver Falls, an elitist American summer camp for the beautiful teenage offspring of California's rich and powerful. The first episode aired on E4 at 27 July 2011. The show was renewed for a second series, which aired on Monday 6 August, also on E4. On 22 September 2012, it was reported that E4 had cancelled Beaver Falls.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration:
Plot tags: humorous, captivating, psychological, light, sexy, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 84%
Meantime (1983)
Plot Summary:
A working-class family in London's East End is struggling to stay afloat during the recession under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's premiership. Only the mother Mavis is working; father Frank and the couple's two sons Colin, a timid, chronically shy individual and Mark, an outspoken, headstrong young man, are on the dole. This situation is contrasted by the presence of Mavis's sister Barbara, and her husband John, whose financial and social loftiness appears to be a comfortable facade over the unspoken soreness of a lackluster marriage.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: mysterious, surreal, independent film, cult classic, touching, humorous, realistic, gloomy, semi serious, crying
Similar in 88%
White Teeth (2002)
Plot Summary:
An adaptation of Zadie Smith's bestseller concerning the lives of two families from as far back as the 1800s and India to late 1990s Willesden.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 770
Genere: Drama, Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 240 min
Plot tags: touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious, multicultural
Similar in 83%
Some Girls (2012)
Plot Summary:
Some Girls is a British comedy series written by Bernadette Davis that airs on BBC Three. The show stars Adelayo Adedayo, Mandeep Dhillon, Alice Felgate, Natasha Jonas, Dolly Wells, Colin Salmon, Jassa Ahluwalia and Franz Drameh. It debuted on 6 November 2012 and the first series ran for six episodes. BBC Three announced at the end of the first series that the show would return for a second series. On 18 September 2013, they confirmed that each episode of the second series will premiere on BBC iPlayer a week ahead of being broadcast on BBC Three. The first episode became available on iPlayer on 23 September and will be broadcast on BBC Three on 30 September with the rest of the series following that trend.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, light, feel good, captivating, sincere, realistic, semi serious