Women writing TV comedy in the UK

This playlist brings together examples of UK television comedy – sketch shows, sitcoms, and dramedies – created by women. It comprises a selection of programmes from different time periods, writers/performers, and sub-genres that encapsulate women’s significant contribution to the UK televisual landscape and comedy in particular. From the works of Carla Lane to Michaela Coel, the episodes/series chosen demonstrate the evolution of UK TV comedy from the 1960s to the present day, thereby providing a starting point for those interested in the history of the genre and its current state. As can be seen from the playlist, the number of comedies created by women from the 2000s onwards has grown exponentially, highlighting shifts that have taken place in terms of representation, diversity, and inclusion. Overall, this curated collection may be of interest to teachers, lecturers, and students who are seeking to learn more about the changing dynamics of female authorship in comedy and the TV industry.

Curator

Dr Laura Minor, Lecturer in Television Studies, School of Arts and Media, Salford University.

Subject

Television Studies, Feminist Media Studies, Gender and Women Studies, Cultural Studies

Keywords

comedy, television, women, feminism, gender, writers, genre, author, authorship, auteur, UK, United Kingdom