Before Fleabag, Phoebe Waller-Bridge Wrote This 91%-Rated Comedy Gem for Netflix

Phoebe Waller-Bridge needs no introduction: a self-made showrunner whose one-woman show and then TV series Fleabag brought her worldwide fame and a line of producers wanting to work with her.

However, Fleabag overshadowed another of her brilliant projects, first original work for Netflix – the six-episode series Crashing, for which Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who wrote and starred, received a BAFTA nomination for Television Craft Breakthrough Talent.

What Is Crashing About?

Phoebe Waller-Bridge plays Lulu, who comes to visit her old friend Anthony. He and his future wife Kate have taken up residence in an empty hospital building for minimal rent.

Lulu quickly joins the crazy team of inhabitants of this strange place. There is the bully Sam, the French artist Melody, who has found inspiration in the aging Colin, and other eccentric personalities.

Crashing Is a Fleabag's Predecessor Inspired by Friends

In Crashing you can feel the mood of Fleabag and the background for future success. The plot centers on women, with all their virtues and flaws, but Phoebe Waller-Bridge skillfully speaks about all people, regardless of gender.

Even in a comedy based on simple jokes, Phoebe demonstrated her talent for creating vivid and emotional characters. In one of her interviews, the screenwriter admitted what inspired her to create Crashing:

“It was my homage to shows I'd grown up on, like Friends and This Life.”

Crashing Is Full of Vibrant And Relatable Characters

Crashing turned out to be even more realistic and relatable than Friends – Lulu is ridiculous and lazy at work, where she was hired through connections. Kate is terribly jealous, but can't say it out loud.

Lulu, in her first appearance on the screen, sings a song about an orgasm on the bus with a ukulele, and Kate is embarrassed even to shower in front of her boyfriend.

These are all vibrant characters in whom it is easy to see yourself, which is what makes Crashing so charming.

What Did Viewers & Critics Think of Crashing?

Crushing receives nothing but praise from fans and regrets that this little gem does not and will not have a second season. Reddit user Sherry_G99 wrote:

“She's absolutely brilliant. Only she can write such intelligent comedy with nuances of social commentary. I wish Crashing had a second season.”

• Crashing has 83% from critics and 91% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 7.6/10.