In an era of endless streaming options, a surprising trend has emerged: viewers are finding profound joy in returning to their favourite television series again and again. A recent collection of testimonies from Guardian readers across the UK and beyond reveals the specific shows that serve as a televisual security blanket, offering comfort, nostalgia, and a reliable escape from modern pressures.
The Unbeatable Charm of British Comedy and Drama
For many, comfort is found in the gentle, eccentric humour of homegrown hits. Detectorists, the BBC series starring Mackenzie Crook and Toby Jones, is a prime example. One viewer from Ely, Cambridgeshire, described a ritual of rewatching it every winter with his wife. The show's depiction of long, hot summer evenings in the Suffolk countryside provides a potent antidote to bleak weather, while its layered humour offers new discoveries on each viewing. Its theme tune by Johnny Flynn is reportedly enough to bring a lump to the throat.
Similarly, the absurdity of Toast of London, starring Matt Berry, has earned a devoted following. A 24-year-old fan from Cardiff declared it Berry's "best work," praising its daft plots and left-field cameos. He has watched the complete series at least 15 times, using it as a litmus test for new friendships. Meanwhile, the impeccable 1985 adaptation of Mapp & Lucia, with its immaculate period detail, serves as a "perfect fictional retreat" from modern life for a viewer in Bedfordshire, offering particular solace.
International Hits with a Loyal British Following
American series also feature heavily on the comfort watch list. Gilmore Girls has found a fervent new audience via Netflix, admired for its snappy dialogue and strong, flawed female leads. A fan from York enjoys sharing the show's picturesque New England world with her daughter, finding joy in its romantic and fair storytelling.
The Canadian sitcom Schitt's Creek was highlighted as a "perfect comfort show" by a 58-year-old from Sussex, who praised the performances of Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy. Another reader from Dorset confessed that Friends, which she initially found silly, became a crucial source of comfort during a low period, making her feel "less lonely, like having real friends around."
Documentaries and Reality TV as Unlikely Sanctuaries
Comfort viewing isn't confined to scripted fiction. For some, the calm comes from factual programming. A 67-year-old Londoner finds the BBC docuseries Saving Lives at Sea "strangely relaxing," comforted by the narrative of the RNLI's volunteer crews saving the day. The timeless travelogue Around the World in 80 Days with Michael Palin evokes a sense of adventure and nostalgia for a pre-smartphone era of travel for a 59-year-old from Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Even game shows provide solace. Richard Osman's House of Games is praised as a "perfect end to the day" by a 78-year-old from Hertfordshire, who enjoys its good-tempered competition. On Channel 4, the dating show First Dates captures the excitement and hopefulness of new romance for a viewer in the West Midlands.
From the archaeological digs of Time Team—a "happy place" for an American living in Kent—to the cosmic wonders of Brian Cox's The Planets, the common thread is clear. In uncertain times, these programmes provide a dependable harbour, a known quantity that rewards repeated visits with warmth, laughter, and a much-needed sense of stability.
