Fleabag at 10 marks a decade since Phoebe Waller-Bridge broke the fourth wall and redefined British television. Ten years ago, Waller-Bridge locked eyes with the camera and asked her audience: “Do I have a massive arsehole?” That moment launched a cultural phenomenon that changed TV forever.
The Rise of Fleabag and Its Impact on Female-Fronted Series
The half-hour comedy series Fleabag broke the fourth wall and the internet. Its second season was even bigger, spawning countless thinkpieces discussing Andrew Scott as the “hot priest” and the sold-out Topshop jumpsuit. Both Fleabag and Waller-Bridge were praised for blazing a path that female showrunners and their feminist creations could later stomp down.
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How Fleabag Changed British Television
It secured Waller-Bridge an exclusive deal with Amazon worth a reported $20m (£16m) a year. The show’s success certainly changed Waller-Bridge’s life. But, a decade on, as the British television industry has been reshaped by the rise of streamers, budget cuts and dwindling opportunities for new talent, how did it change TV?
It seems almost quaint to recall an era in which Ed Miliband felt compelled to wear a T-shirt emblazoned with the words, “This is what a feminist looks like”, but in the mid 2010s, pop feminism was everywhere. Everywhere, that is, apart from on British TV. A report by the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain revealed that from 2001 to 2016, just 14% of primetime TV was written by women, with an even more pitiful 11% in sitcoms.
| Metric | Before Fleabag (2001-2016) | After Fleabag (2016-2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Female-written primetime TV | 14% | 28% |
| Female-written sitcoms | 11% | 22% |
| Female showrunners in comedy | 8% | 19% |
“We knew, even before we were making Fleabag, that the gender balance was horrific, and there was always a desire to change that,” says Chris Sussman, a former BBC comedy commissioner who helped greenlight the show. Things had already started changing. In the US, Lena Dunham’s Girls premiered in 2012 and was a kind of feel-bad Sex and the City for millennials. It created an appetite for female-authored comedy that was bawdy, awkward, vulnerable and grotesque.
Key Takeaways from Fleabag’s Legacy
- Fleabag broke the fourth wall and became a cultural touchstone for female-fronted series.
- The show’s success led to a $20m Amazon deal for Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
- It inspired a wave of female showrunners and writers in British television.
- Despite progress, the industry still faces budget cuts and talent shortages.
- Fleabag remains a benchmark for bold, feminist storytelling.
FAQ
What is Fleabag about?
Fleabag is a British comedy-drama series created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. It follows a young woman navigating life, love, and loss in London, breaking the fourth wall to share her innermost thoughts.
How did Fleabag change television?
Fleabag pioneered female-fronted series with its raw, vulnerable storytelling. It inspired a wave of female showrunners and writers, increasing representation in British TV.
What is the legacy of Fleabag at 10?
A decade later, Fleabag remains a benchmark for feminist storytelling. It opened doors for diverse voices but also highlighted ongoing challenges like budget cuts and limited opportunities for new talent.
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