| Network BBC Three (UK) |
| Release Date February 8th, 2017 |
| Episodes 6 |
| Binge time 2 hrs 30 mins |
This Country is a British mockumentary in the iconic style of The Office, created by real-life siblings and co-stars of the show, Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper.
Cousins and best mates, Kerry Mucklowe (Daisy May Cooper) and Lee “Kurtan” Mucklowe (Charlie Cooper) live in a small village in the Cotswolds; a beautiful but extremely rural area of England. The premise of the BBC “documentary” is an exploration of the lives and fates of the young people who reside in the isolated countryside, and the limited opportunities for those who choose to stay beyond their school years.
Though the series follows the cousins closely, a handful of other characters make an appearance such as the patient but despairing parish vicar (Paul Chahidi), hopeless friend/enemy Michael “Slugs” Slugette (Michael Sleggs), and Kerry’s heard-but-never-seen squawking mother.
This Country is hilarious. It takes about half an episode to warm up to the absolute straight-faced absurdity of the dialogue – especially if you’re not prepared for such dry humour – and the characters are totally ridiculous, but by the end you’ll find by some cunning television magic (such as the gradual insights into Kerry and Kurtan’s friendship), the series has got you to really care.
This Country is extremely reminiscent of The Office stylistically, but personally it reminded me more of what Chris Lilley’s Summer Heights High does. As This Country similarly focuses on young people and features fewer personalities in a slightly wider community. Growing up in England before spending the rest of my childhood in rural New Zealand myself, I loved the unapologetic shredding of small-towners and British culture. This Country really nailed those jokes for me, and I know it would for a lot of other people.
With only six 25 minute episodes, this series isn’t a long binge but it is a meaty one. It would be funny for pretty much anybody, but especially to fans of good, classic British comedy.
Matty has always loved all kinds of TV shows, but formally began her binge-watching “career” while pretending to read books throughout university. She enjoys arguing with friends (and strangers) about quality programming.