{ "id": "epfwe7qkeb", "slug": "flatmates", "title": "Flatmates", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv", "label": "Scripted television and comedy series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_adapted", "label": "Adapted and franchise screen series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_adapted" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_adapted.reboot_revival_spinoff_series", "label": "Reboots, revivals, and spin-off series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_adapted.reboot_revival_spinoff_series" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_adapted", "label": "Western Europe · 2001 to 2020: Adapted and franchise screen series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_adapted", "path": [ { "id": "geo.weu", "label": "Western Europe", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001", "label": "Western Europe · 2001 to 2020", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.culture" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv", "label": "Scripted television and comedy series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_adapted", "label": "Adapted and franchise screen series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_adapted" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Flatmates: BBC iPlayer comedy drama (2019-2021, 18 episodes), spin-off of Millie Inbetween, five Manchester teens sharing a flat; distinct from BBC Learning English's The Flatmates soap and other same-titled shows.", "snippet": "Flatmates: BBC iPlayer comedy drama (2019-2021, 18 episodes), spin-off of Millie Inbetween, five Manchester teens sharing a flat; distinct from BBC Learning English's The Flatmates soap and other same-titled shows.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_adapted.reboot_revival_spinoff_series", "markdown": "# Flatmates\n\n**Flatmates** is a British comedy drama television series that follows five teenagers sharing a flat as they take their first steps into adulthood. It was created by [Gary Parker](https://www.edgepedia.org/gary-parker), Steven Andrew, and Raymond Lau, broadcast on [BBC iPlayer](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-iplayer) from 2019 to 2021, and ran for 18 episodes in two series.[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/) The show is a spin-off of the CBBC series *Millie Inbetween*, following three of that show's older characters on their next step into adulthood.[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Broadcast | BBC iPlayer, 2019 to 2021; first episode released Monday 5 August 2019[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/) |\n| Episodes | 18 episodes in 2 series; series 1 has 10 episodes, series 2 has 8[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/) • [2](https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/flatmates-2019) |\n| Creators | Gary Parker, Steven Andrew, and Raymond Lau[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/) |\n| Main cast | Theo Stevenson (Craig Taylor), Tallulah Greive (Lauren McDonald), Richard Wisker (Declan), Nethra Tilakumara (Yasmin), Grace Hogg-Robinson (Mel)[2](https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/flatmates-2019) |\n| Setting | Comedy drama set in Manchester, filmed on location in Belfast, Northern Ireland[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/) |\n| Production | Zodiak Kids, commissioned as 10 × 30 minutes for BBC iPlayer; single-camera setup[3](https://www.c21media.net/news/bbc-finds-flatmates-with-zodiak-kids/Warner%20Bros%20International%20TV%20Production%20%286700%29) • [1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/) |\n| Availability | Unavailable to stream in the United Kingdom since it left BBC iPlayer in May 2025[2](https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/flatmates-2019) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Premise and themes\n\nThe series is described by its makers as \"Two lads, three girls, one flat\": five teens trying to fulfill what the show calls the millennial dream while taking their first uncertain steps into adulthood.[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/) It is a bittersweet comedy drama covering character-driven stories specific to the age group, including anxiety, fitting in, sexual relationships, mental health, and sexual ambiguity.[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)\n\nThe five central characters are Craig Taylor (Theo Stevenson), Lauren McDonald (Tallulah Greive), Declan (Richard Wisker), Yasmin (Nethra Tilakumara), and Mel ([Grace Hogg-Robinson](https://www.edgepedia.org/grace-hogg-robinson)).[2](https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/flatmates-2019) The supporting cast includes Jade Ogugua, Oliver Clayton, and Jordan Dawes.[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)\n\n## Production and commission\n\nThe BBC ordered the series for its iPlayer video-on-demand service from Banijay-owned Zodiak Kids as a 10 × 30-minute comedy drama. Steven Andrew, Zodiak Kids' creative director, executive produced, with Raymond Lau producing.[3](https://www.c21media.net/news/bbc-finds-flatmates-with-zodiak-kids/Warner%20Bros%20International%20TV%20Production%20%286700%29) Trade press described it as an iPlayer-only teen drama joining the BBC's growing slate of such commissions.[4](https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/more-bbc-news/45067.more?page=198) The show was shot on location in Belfast, with a single-camera setup and location production.[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)\n\nThe writing team comprised Gary Parker, Esther Bishop, Bronagh Taggart, Jess Kedward, and Kirsty Peart; directors were Dez McCarthy and Louise Ní Fhiannachta.[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/) Parker, McCarthy, and several cast members had already worked together on *Millie Inbetween*, the CBBC comedy drama from which the series takes its characters.[5](https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_cbbc_hd/2018-01-06)\n\n## Broadcast history\n\nSeries 1, ten episodes, was released on BBC iPlayer on 5 August 2019.[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/) In November 2019, episodes of series 1 also received overnight repeats on BBC2, in slots such as 2:30am and 4:50am.[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)\n\n**Series 2.** In March 2021 the BBC announced that eight new episodes of the Manchester-based coming-of-age comedy drama would land on iPlayer in April.[6](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/press/) All eight were released on Thursday 1 April 2021, under the titles \"The Kiss\", \"Bad Connections\", \"Losing It\", \"Disasterchef\", \"The Philosopher's Tone\", \"Gorilla Warfare\", \"The Date\", and \"Spring Fling\".[7](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/episodes/2/) The second series picks up after Lauren kisses Yaz and leaves for London; when she decides to stay there, the remaining flatmates compete over her room, and Craig invites his cousin Zak to move in.[8](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/episodes/) • [7](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/episodes/2/) The final episode, \"Spring Fling\", aired on 1 April 2021.[9](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/45105/flatmates)\n\n## Reception and availability\n\nOn IMDb the series holds a rating of 6.0 out of 10 from 112 user votes, with episodes running about 28 minutes.[10](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10762794) Viewer discussion on the British Comedy Guide forum was critical, with posters describing weak stories and a lack of humor.[11](https://www.comedy.co.uk/forums/thread/35199/)\n\nThe series has become difficult to watch legally. JustWatch records it as unavailable to stream in the United Kingdom, having last been available on BBC iPlayer until May 2025.[2](https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/flatmates-2019)\n\n## Other works titled Flatmates\n\nSeveral unrelated productions share the title:\n\n- **The Flatmates** was an online English-language learning soap opera from BBC Learning English, following four young adults sharing a flat in London: Alice, a British nurse; Helen, an Anglo-Chinese student; Tim, a would-be entrepreneur; and Khalid, a language student from the Middle East. A new episode was published weekly with MP3 audio, and the audience influenced storylines through an online vote.[12](https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/the_flatmates_teaching_ideas.pdf)\n- **Flatmates** (New Zealand, 1997) was a reality show following six strangers living together in a segregated house, with webcams throughout and an elimination every three weeks; it is described as an obvious precursor to the *Big Brother* format.[13](https://openrepository.aut.ac.nz/server/api/core/bitstreams/208603e1-c099-45f0-85c5-6da9dec19df0/content)\n- **Flatmates** ([Channel 4](https://www.edgepedia.org/channel-4), 2000) was a one-hour observational documentary in the *First Cut* strand, surveying the competitive world of flat sharing in London and internationally, from flat viewings to speed flat-mating events; Tim Hincks was executive producer.[14](https://www.dltentertainment.com/Distribution/row/300) • [15](https://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/13055/9/Elsden2022PhD.pdf)\n- **My Flatmates** is a Nigerian situational comedy first released in 2016, centered on four guys who share a flat, in English, Pidgin, and Igbo, running to nine seasons.[16](https://www.multichoicestudios.com/show/my-flatmates)\n- **Flatmates** (India, 2019) is a Hindi comedy series in which Tandon and Batla share a 1BHK flat in a Tom-and-Jerry style relationship; six episodes were released from 19 December 2019, starring Puneet Batra and Tarun Singhal.[17](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12443470/)\n- **Flatmates** (Germany, 2019) is a 25-minute series pilot directed by Federico Peduzzi, following Paolo, an idealistic young Italian painter trying to build a life in the Berlin art scene while moving between flat shares.[18](https://www.crew-united.com/en/Flatmates__255906.html)\n- **Flatmates** (2026) is a comedy series on Zee5 in which Davy and Gavy, having lost their flat, move in with two women, Riya and Tarushi.[19](https://www.zee5.com/global/tv-shows/details/flatmates/0-6-4z5994592/episodes)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Flatmates, British Comedy Guide](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)\n2. [Flatmates (2019) streaming, JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/flatmates-2019)\n3. [BBC finds Flatmates with Zodiak Kids, C21Media](https://www.c21media.net/news/bbc-finds-flatmates-with-zodiak-kids/Warner%20Bros%20International%20TV%20Production%20%286700%29)\n4. [More BBC News, Broadcast](https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/more-bbc-news/45067.more?page=198)\n5. [BBC Programme Index, CBBC schedule 6 January 2018](https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_cbbc_hd/2018-01-06)\n6. [Flatmates press clippings, British Comedy Guide](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/press/)\n7. [Flatmates Series 2 episode guide, British Comedy Guide](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/episodes/2/)\n8. [Flatmates episode guide, British Comedy Guide](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/episodes/)\n9. [Flatmates, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/45105/flatmates)\n10. [Flatmates (TV Series 2019–2021), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10762794)\n11. [Flatmates forum thread, British Comedy Guide](https://www.comedy.co.uk/forums/thread/35199/)\n12. [The Flatmates teaching ideas, BBC Learning English](https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/the_flatmates_teaching_ideas.pdf)\n13. [Chapter Two – Background, AUT open repository](https://openrepository.aut.ac.nz/server/api/core/bitstreams/208603e1-c099-45f0-85c5-6da9dec19df0/content)\n14. [Flatmates, DLT Entertainment distribution catalogue](https://www.dltentertainment.com/Distribution/row/300)\n15. [Elsden 2022 PhD thesis, University of Birmingham](https://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/13055/9/Elsden2022PhD.pdf)\n16. [My Flatmates, MultiChoice Studios](https://www.multichoicestudios.com/show/my-flatmates)\n17. [Flatmates (2019– ), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12443470/)\n18. [Flatmates (WT) series pilot, Crew United](https://www.crew-united.com/en/Flatmates__255906.html)\n19. [Flatmates episodes, Zee5](https://www.zee5.com/global/tv-shows/details/flatmates/0-6-4z5994592/episodes)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Scripted television and comedy series › Adapted and franchise screen series › Reboots, revivals, and spin-off series*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/flatmates", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/flatmates.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Flatmates\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/flatmates. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Flatmates](https://www.edgepedia.org/flatmates)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/flatmates](https://www.edgepedia.org/flatmates). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Flatmates\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/flatmates. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Flatmates: BBC iPlayer comedy drama, spin-off of Millie Inbetween, five Manchester teens sharing a flat; distinct from BBC Learning English's The Flatmates soap and other same-titled shows." }