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- What the series is and who made it
- Three friends at the center of the story
- How the show balances laughs and heart
- Plot beats without spoilers
- Notable guest stars and supporting roles
- Sharp observations and repeated lessons
- Scenes that stick
- Writing, tone, and chemistry
- Where it fits in the comedy lineage
- Why viewers might respond
Leo Reich’s new six-episode comedy lands with the sharp confidence of someone who has watched young adulthood from the inside. It’s a London-set show that laughs at itself while making space for honest feeling, and it’s already turning heads thanks to A24’s backing and a handful of notable guest turns.
What the series is and who made it
The show, titled It Gets Worse, is a compact British comedy produced by A24 with Channel 4 in the U.K. and Crave in Canada. Reich not only created the series but plays its central character, Ethan. The series streamlines its tone: brisk, witty, and often tender.
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- Creator and star: Leo Reich
- Production: A24, Channel 4, Crave
- Broad themes: friendship, dating, early adulthood
Three friends at the center of the story
The narrative orbits three twenty-somethings living in London. Each character has a distinct rhythm and a distinctive set of anxieties.
Ethan — the comic center
Ethan laughs at most things, including himself. He’s charmingly self-involved and often uses humor to deflect discomfort. The show lets him be ridiculous, but it also lets audiences see the insecurity under his jokes.
Sam — the essayist and observer
Sam writes cultural pieces and tutors literature. She’s quick with an opinion and slow to forgive herself for social missteps. Her curiosity often turns into awkward introspection.
Abi — the most seemingly settled friend
Abi holds a steady HR job and a committed relationship. On the surface, she appears grounded. Underneath, she’s wrestling with what “settled” really means for her future.
How the show balances laughs and heart
The series never lets jokes stand alone. Punchlines arrive with an undercurrent of empathy. That mix is what makes the humor land.
- Self-aware narration punctuates scenes.
- Character-driven comedy reveals vulnerability.
- Small, human moments hold emotional weight.
The series treats petty dramas as worthy of attention. It lets everyday anxieties breathe, whether those moments are outrageously funny or quietly painful.
Plot beats without spoilers
The friends’ lives shift when their shared living arrangement ends. That simple change sends them in separate but overlapping directions.
- Ethan ends up crashing with an actor whose auditions are hilariously absurd.
- Sam moves in with an ex and a bohemian household full of performative idealism.
- Abi attempts to navigate a relationship and a start-up job run by a difficult boss.
Notable guest stars and supporting roles
Guest performances punctuate the series with memorable beats. Lena Dunham appears as a demanding start-up boss. Andrew Scott also pops up in a cameo that sparks a conversation about modern romance and identity.
- Adrian Nik plays an ever-shirtless actor and comic foil.
- India Mullen portrays Sam’s complicated ex.
- Sean Delaney is Abi’s partner, lampooned as a culinary affectation.
Sharp observations and repeated lessons
The writer-director uses voiceover and dialogue to lay down incisive observations. Sometimes the show circles a theme more than once.
That repetition can feel redundant. But it also mirrors real life. People often need multiple failures to learn the same lesson.
Scenes that stick
Some sequences go for broad laughter. Others aim for a quieter ache. There’s a funeral scene that reads as thoughtful and awkward in equal measure. Another argument lands with a shockingly physical bit of comedy.
Sound design and small details amplify the emotional beats. Those choices make certain moments linger after the episode ends.
Writing, tone, and chemistry
Reich’s scripts trade in frankness. The show is opinionated about the foibles of its characters. Yet it does so without cruelty. The affection for these friends is evident in how much attention is paid to their unspoken regrets.
- Dialogues feel lived-in and conversational.
- Narration provides wry context without lecturing.
- The ensemble chemistry sells both the jokes and the heartbreaks.
Where it fits in the comedy lineage
It joins a long line of city-centered comedies about young adults finding themselves. Think of sitcoms and dramedies that mix partying, dating, and self-analysis. This series distinguishes itself with sharper narration and a willingness to let tenderness cut through the snark.
Why viewers might respond
The show speaks to a moment when youth is both limitless and strangely terminal. It captures that peculiar nostalgia of realizing you won’t be this young again. It also asks what happens when the small problems of daily life feel unbearably large.
For viewers who enjoy character-led comedies with emotional depth, this series will feel familiar and fresh.
