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- How this show echoes familiar coming‑of‑age TV while staking its own ground
- Who’s behind the camera and in front of it
- Why the narration matters: Zadie Smith’s voice and tonal contrast
- A concise plot outline: a flat, a lease and three uneasy roommates
- Themes and tone: bleak humor, generational anxiety and quiet cruelty
- Format, pacing and where to watch it
- Standout moments and supporting elements to notice
“It Gets Worse” arrives as a compact, sharp-edged comedy about young adults floundering through modern city life. The series centers on a self-aware but messy protagonist and his circle of friends, blending bleak humor with vivid observations about work, love and the cost of living in London. It hooks early and keeps a brisk pace, offering both laugh lines and a sting of familiarity for viewers who remember similar stories set in New York.
How this show echoes familiar coming‑of‑age TV while staking its own ground
At first glance, the series will feel familiar to fans of character-driven, millennial-era dramas. But this is not a remake. The creative voice is younger and distinctly British. The lead’s identity as a gay man, the more diverse cast and the London setting give the story a fresh angle.
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Rather than copying, the show nods to previous hits while updating the emotional currency for Gen Z. Expect sharp satire of metropolitan ambition, awkward romance and the small humiliations of early adulthood.
Who’s behind the camera and in front of it
The show is a collaboration of modern indie talent and established names. It was produced by A24 for the U.K.’s Channel 4, and it will reach U.S. audiences via Paramount+.
- Leo Reich — creator, writer and star. The show is largely his point of view.
- Emily Fairn — plays Abi, who balances relationship impulses with lifestyle choices.
- Olive Gray — as Sam, an aspiring writer juggling side gigs and creative hopes.
- Guest appearances include notable figures that add texture to the series.
Of particular note is a cameo by Lena Dunham, who appears as a boss delivering hard truths. Reich and Dunham have a prior connection: they worked together on her Netflix series, and that history shapes a knowing dynamic here.
Why the narration matters: Zadie Smith’s voice and tonal contrast
The series uses narration as a framing device. Renowned author Zadie Smith provides the voice-over. Her calm, literate delivery creates a counterpoint to the characters’ messy lives.
Smith’s narration reads like an observant essay. It elevates day-to-day floundering into a wry commentary about generational habits and small-scale failures.
A concise plot outline: a flat, a lease and three uneasy roommates
The story focuses on a short stretch of time. Three former college friends face a single, consequential choice: where to live next. That decision exposes deeper tensions.
- Ethan: self-sabotaging, distracted and often the comic center of chaos.
- Abi: tempted by domestic stability but hesitant to speak up.
- Sam: ambitious in small ways, scraping income through odd jobs.
Episodes track the trio’s attempts to sign a new London flat and the small disasters that derail them. Rent, deposits and city life logistics are recurring obstacles. A missed repair, awkward honesty and hidden plans keep the drama alive.
Themes and tone: bleak humor, generational anxiety and quiet cruelty
The series leans into a kind of resigned, darkly comic worldview.
- Generational malaise: characters struggle to convert education and connections into stability.
- Self-sabotage: personal habits and avoidance fuel many setbacks.
- Social satire: the show skewers foodie culture, performative activism and urban routines.
- Small-scale political backdrop: broader societal shifts are present but rarely central.
Humor is often clinical and ironic. Moments that might feel cruel are tempered by thoughtful narration and strong performances. The result is a show that can be both biting and empathetic.
Format, pacing and where to watch it
The story unfolds over six tight episodes. That brevity keeps the narrative focused and avoids filler. Each episode moves with brisk comedic timing.
Produced by A24 for Channel 4, the series premiered in the U.K. and will be available to U.S. viewers on Paramount+. The creative team’s indie sensibility shows in the production choices and the economy of storytelling.
Standout moments and supporting elements to notice
Watch for:
- Guest appearances that add texture and irony.
- Visual touches that signal a specific London life: kitchens, shared flats and cramped rehearsal spaces.
- Dialogue that pairs frank embarrassment with literary wit from the narration.
The series doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable scenes. Instead, it mines them for humor and insight.
