# Flatmates

**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.<sup>[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)</sup> 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.<sup>[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)</sup>

| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Broadcast | BBC iPlayer, 2019 to 2021; first episode released Monday 5 August 2019<sup>[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)</sup> |
| Episodes | 18 episodes in 2 series; series 1 has 10 episodes, series 2 has 8<sup>[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/flatmates-2019)</sup> |
| Creators | Gary Parker, Steven Andrew, and Raymond Lau<sup>[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)</sup> |
| Main cast | Theo Stevenson (Craig Taylor), Tallulah Greive (Lauren McDonald), Richard Wisker (Declan), Nethra Tilakumara (Yasmin), Grace Hogg-Robinson (Mel)<sup>[2](https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/flatmates-2019)</sup> |
| Setting | Comedy drama set in Manchester, filmed on location in Belfast, Northern Ireland<sup>[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)</sup> |
| Production | Zodiak Kids, commissioned as 10 × 30 minutes for BBC iPlayer; single-camera setup<sup>[3](https://www.c21media.net/news/bbc-finds-flatmates-with-zodiak-kids/Warner%20Bros%20International%20TV%20Production%20%286700%29)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)</sup> |
| Availability | Unavailable to stream in the United Kingdom since it left BBC iPlayer in May 2025<sup>[2](https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/flatmates-2019)</sup> |

## Spoilers

### Premise and themes

The 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.<sup>[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)</sup> 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.<sup>[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)</sup>

The 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)).<sup>[2](https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/flatmates-2019)</sup> The supporting cast includes Jade Ogugua, Oliver Clayton, and Jordan Dawes.<sup>[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)</sup>

## Production and commission

The 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.<sup>[3](https://www.c21media.net/news/bbc-finds-flatmates-with-zodiak-kids/Warner%20Bros%20International%20TV%20Production%20%286700%29)</sup> Trade press described it as an iPlayer-only teen drama joining the BBC's growing slate of such commissions.<sup>[4](https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/more-bbc-news/45067.more?page=198)</sup> The show was shot on location in Belfast, with a single-camera setup and location production.<sup>[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)</sup>

The writing team comprised Gary Parker, Esther Bishop, Bronagh Taggart, Jess Kedward, and Kirsty Peart; directors were Dez McCarthy and Louise Ní Fhiannachta.<sup>[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)</sup> Parker, McCarthy, and several cast members had already worked together on *Millie Inbetween*, the CBBC comedy drama from which the series takes its characters.<sup>[5](https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_cbbc_hd/2018-01-06)</sup>

## Broadcast history

Series 1, ten episodes, was released on BBC iPlayer on 5 August 2019.<sup>[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)</sup> In November 2019, episodes of series 1 also received overnight repeats on BBC2, in slots such as 2:30am and 4:50am.<sup>[1](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)</sup>

**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.<sup>[6](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/press/)</sup> 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".<sup>[7](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/episodes/2/)</sup> 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.<sup>[8](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/episodes/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[7](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/episodes/2/)</sup> The final episode, "Spring Fling", aired on 1 April 2021.<sup>[9](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/45105/flatmates)</sup>

## Reception and availability

On IMDb the series holds a rating of 6.0 out of 10 from 112 user votes, with episodes running about 28 minutes.<sup>[10](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10762794)</sup> Viewer discussion on the British Comedy Guide forum was critical, with posters describing weak stories and a lack of humor.<sup>[11](https://www.comedy.co.uk/forums/thread/35199/)</sup>

The 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.<sup>[2](https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/flatmates-2019)</sup>

## Other works titled Flatmates

Several unrelated productions share the title:

- **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.<sup>[12](https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/the_flatmates_teaching_ideas.pdf)</sup>
- **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.<sup>[13](https://openrepository.aut.ac.nz/server/api/core/bitstreams/208603e1-c099-45f0-85c5-6da9dec19df0/content)</sup>
- **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.<sup>[14](https://www.dltentertainment.com/Distribution/row/300)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[15](https://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/13055/9/Elsden2022PhD.pdf)</sup>
- **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.<sup>[16](https://www.multichoicestudios.com/show/my-flatmates)</sup>
- **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.<sup>[17](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12443470/)</sup>
- **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.<sup>[18](https://www.crew-united.com/en/Flatmates__255906.html)</sup>
- **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.<sup>[19](https://www.zee5.com/global/tv-shows/details/flatmates/0-6-4z5994592/episodes)</sup>

## References

1. [Flatmates, British Comedy Guide](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/)
2. [Flatmates (2019) streaming, JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/flatmates-2019)
3. [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)
4. [More BBC News, Broadcast](https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/more-bbc-news/45067.more?page=198)
5. [BBC Programme Index, CBBC schedule 6 January 2018](https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_cbbc_hd/2018-01-06)
6. [Flatmates press clippings, British Comedy Guide](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/press/)
7. [Flatmates Series 2 episode guide, British Comedy Guide](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/episodes/2/)
8. [Flatmates episode guide, British Comedy Guide](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/flatmates/episodes/)
9. [Flatmates, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/45105/flatmates)
10. [Flatmates (TV Series 2019–2021), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10762794)
11. [Flatmates forum thread, British Comedy Guide](https://www.comedy.co.uk/forums/thread/35199/)
12. [The Flatmates teaching ideas, BBC Learning English](https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/the_flatmates_teaching_ideas.pdf)
13. [Chapter Two – Background, AUT open repository](https://openrepository.aut.ac.nz/server/api/core/bitstreams/208603e1-c099-45f0-85c5-6da9dec19df0/content)
14. [Flatmates, DLT Entertainment distribution catalogue](https://www.dltentertainment.com/Distribution/row/300)
15. [Elsden 2022 PhD thesis, University of Birmingham](https://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/13055/9/Elsden2022PhD.pdf)
16. [My Flatmates, MultiChoice Studios](https://www.multichoicestudios.com/show/my-flatmates)
17. [Flatmates (2019– ), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12443470/)
18. [Flatmates (WT) series pilot, Crew United](https://www.crew-united.com/en/Flatmates__255906.html)
19. [Flatmates episodes, Zee5](https://www.zee5.com/global/tv-shows/details/flatmates/0-6-4z5994592/episodes)

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*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*

*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*

*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*

License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license