Channel 4's new comedy series It Gets Worse premieres on Thursday, October 22, at 10:05pm, with the full box set available to stream on Channel 4. The show, created by Leo Reich, follows a group of 20-somethings navigating their chaotic lives in modern-day London.
The series is narrated by bestselling author Zadie Smith and features guest appearances from Andrew Scott and Lena Dunham. It centers on Ethan, whose life is falling apart in ways familiar to many mid-20s Londoners in 2026: a hole in his wall he can't fix, a stagnant love life, and the constant struggle to pay rent.
A Classic Sitcom Setup
The show kicks off when Ethan and his two best friends and housemates, Abi (Emily Fairn) and Sam (Olive Gray), plan to move out of their flat together. Their plans are disrupted when Abi reveals she will live with her boyfriend, whom she doesn't seem to genuinely like, leaving the others scrambling.
Each episode focuses on one of the three leads and their individual trials: Abi trying to convince her boyfriend to have sex while fending off an overly close co-worker, Sam making peace with living in a housing commune with her ex-girlfriend, and Ethan, who seems perpetually confused about what's happening around him.
Provocative Humor and Relatable Themes
The show doesn't hold back in its provocative nature, with nearly every sentence ending in a punchline that lands about 90% of the time. While the viral Andrew Scott scene is the most star-studded, there are several eye-popping moments throughout the series. Just when you think it has taken a joke too far, it takes it a little further.
All three leads feel like fully fleshed-out characters, and despite being annoying at times, viewers can't help but root for them. The show captures the existential gloom of the job market and the bleak rental market, but also the sheer joy of going through it all with friends who are just as much of a mess as you.
Verdict
It Gets Worse is a brilliant and much-needed addition to the genre of comedies about the highs and lows of being in your mid-20s, especially in London. Although not every joke lands, Leo Reich is bold and brilliant in his off-the-walls storytelling, and the characters show promise for growth, if not quite flourishing.
