This Country

Mockumentary comedy was arguably made most famous by shows like The Office. Since the success of the popular comedy show, many other shows and even films have come to screens as a result of the hilarious style brought forth by the genre. A lesser known TV series, This Country, gained some ground implementing the same techniques as the above mentioned. The series lasted three seasons before the BBC finally pulled the plug, but the show was good enough to warrant some praise here. Set in the United Kingdom, This Country was produced for local audiences but soon gained attention elsewhere.

This Country follows cousins Kurtan and Kerry, two less than average country folk who reside in the small area of England known as the Cotswolds.

This Country follows cousins Kurtan and Kerry, two less than average country folk who reside in the small area of England known as the Cotswolds. The show is just a look into what’s supposed to be their everyday lives in the rural village, featuring other locals who reside there and the place they hold in the cousin’s lives. Like The Office, This Country embraces the very same awkward interview style and documentary like methodology that makes things seem real even when they’re very obviously scripted; or at least loosely so. With Kurtan being the goofy yet lovable moron, and Kerry the deadpan local loony, the two hicks document their day to day activities along with those who just happen to be there taking up space that day.

The series, on some level, is supposed to show the funny side of what the youth in this area of England struggle with. Humble living and tough times are exemplified by the two cousins (who in real life are actually brother and sister) as they look to better their overall living situation in the most ridiculous of ways. The production end of things makes the show seem cheap, but this is done so with clear intention. The comedic elements of the series are ever present and prevalent thanks to the writing and the acting by Daisy and Charlie Cooper. Both Coopers also took extensive part in the writing, which would make sense given they are actually from that area. Having this knowledge makes understanding the show much easier, as the show comes from them and this displays their level of self-awareness. The two understand how the world perceives them and they use that perception to their advantage to obtain the laughs.

Using their upbringing and even just the truth of their actual reality, the Coopers made a show that though relatable to natives of England, others can also effortlessly enjoy. It is a shame that This Country only ran for three seasons, but there’s probably only so much story to tell in a place like the Cotswolds. The show began in 2017 and finished its third season in 2020, but it’s a short watch all together and is a fun way to pass time. Most of the episodes run under half an hour, so with only three season to get through the whole collection can be skimmed through within a couple of days.