When it's about comedies with silly humor the British ones work the best for me. I really enjoyed every episode of Plebs. The simplistic lifestyle that is been shown might be repetitive but that's what makes it even better. The stupid and not useful jobs they have, their "slave" that does absolutely nothing, their constant failure to climb up the social ladder, the crush he has on his neighbor and the failures to get laid, it all makes it a very easy and fun series to watch. Tom Rosenthal, Joel Fry and Ryan Sampson all did an excellent job with their characters as well as the other actors in this series. The ska music in this show, although you would think that doesn't work in ancient Rome, is excellent. I caught myself skankin' more then once. The only sad thing about British shows is that they are usually quickly over even if they are really good. To me this one could go on for many more seasons.
48 Reviews
We want the Thracian's out of our flat... Ah, now you're being Thracist!
markmullen7778 June 2013
If that joke in the summary makes you chuckle then you're going to love Plebs.
I guess I might be in a rare camp being both a fan of the Inbetweeners and of Roman history but when I spied this I knew I had to watch it. Not only does it capture the day to day life of Roman lower classes brilliantly (aside from the deliberately dodgy accents). but it's funny and entertaining in it's own right.
The main trio are all really good and we see them going about their daily lives whilst doing their best to get laid and climb the social ladder and failing miserably at both.
But as much as Will McKenzie steals the show in the Inbetweeners it's Grumio, who steals the show here. Almost every time he's on screen it's stupidly funny. He doesn't even have to open his mouth, he just has one of those faces and his stupid bowl head. But that accent of his is awesome.
It's only had one season so far, so it's still early days. It's landed a bit under the mainstream radar so I fear a second season might not land. But hopefully if it does a fan base will develop and we could be in a for an awesome comedy series.
I guess I might be in a rare camp being both a fan of the Inbetweeners and of Roman history but when I spied this I knew I had to watch it. Not only does it capture the day to day life of Roman lower classes brilliantly (aside from the deliberately dodgy accents). but it's funny and entertaining in it's own right.
The main trio are all really good and we see them going about their daily lives whilst doing their best to get laid and climb the social ladder and failing miserably at both.
But as much as Will McKenzie steals the show in the Inbetweeners it's Grumio, who steals the show here. Almost every time he's on screen it's stupidly funny. He doesn't even have to open his mouth, he just has one of those faces and his stupid bowl head. But that accent of his is awesome.
It's only had one season so far, so it's still early days. It's landed a bit under the mainstream radar so I fear a second season might not land. But hopefully if it does a fan base will develop and we could be in a for an awesome comedy series.
Wanna enjoy the show? Then quit after season 3.
alamarques1 October 2019
This show is fantastic! But one of the guys left to be a nobody in game of thrones and now we are stuck with a completely lame playboy character WHO BECAME THE MAIN CHARACTER IN SEASON 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This top 10 of all time show turned into pure trash after the end of season 3, when they inserted a new stupid character instead of making the "water guy" a regular. It went for 10 to 0 in a matter of seconds.
This top 10 of all time show turned into pure trash after the end of season 3, when they inserted a new stupid character instead of making the "water guy" a regular. It went for 10 to 0 in a matter of seconds.
Ancient Roman Version of The Inbetweeners
niki_timpson9 April 2013
Loving this - it's pretty much The Inbetweeners do Ancient Rome. Class.
The story focuses around 3 guys living in a pretty dull area of Rome (- not Gladiators, nor Senators, just blokes - hence the title) Tom Rosenthal plays the very straight Marcus, who has the most resentful slave ever in the fabulous Grunio (Ryan Sampson, rocking a hairdo like Howard from Big Bang, and pretty much channelling Baldrick with a grumpy attitude) They live with the over-sexed Stylax (Joel Fry), next door to the gorgeous but dim Cynthia (Sophie Colquhoun) and her scary and whip smart slave, Metella (Lydia Rose Bewley) - both from Briton.
A must see for Inbetweeners fans, do not miss the 2nd episode with Danny Dyer being a very macho but sensitive Gladiator.
Brilliant.
The story focuses around 3 guys living in a pretty dull area of Rome (- not Gladiators, nor Senators, just blokes - hence the title) Tom Rosenthal plays the very straight Marcus, who has the most resentful slave ever in the fabulous Grunio (Ryan Sampson, rocking a hairdo like Howard from Big Bang, and pretty much channelling Baldrick with a grumpy attitude) They live with the over-sexed Stylax (Joel Fry), next door to the gorgeous but dim Cynthia (Sophie Colquhoun) and her scary and whip smart slave, Metella (Lydia Rose Bewley) - both from Briton.
A must see for Inbetweeners fans, do not miss the 2nd episode with Danny Dyer being a very macho but sensitive Gladiator.
Brilliant.
S1-2-3 silly funny take on ancien Rome
surfisfun28 February 2022
Great Fun
martimusross21 April 2020
Hiarious!!
eapplebaum20 March 2015
There are some scenes I laughed so hard I cried, like the breast milk dousing scene. Seriously, I love these guys and the clever comedic exaggerated view of what life might have looked like for single roman guys of the day. It's a hilarious and imaginative idea of life in Roman times. Each episode is fun and always guarantee's a good laugh. Groomio, Marcus and Stylex are silly goof balls you can't help but love. All the details including the names of characters based on their job, such as "water boy" and "landlord" always evokes a good chuckle. I can't imagine why people want to continue to watch reality TV such as the kardashians, or the jersey shore when they can watch this show.
Enjoyable. Till Series 3.
elixirr12 March 2021
Stumbled upon this series by chance and grew fond of it pretty quickly. This is pretty decent show when you are looking for some light-hearted fun.
Series 4 introduces a new character: Jason, who is just an awful human being and it kinda ruined the series for me. I wish they could have written him somewhat likable but he gets awful by every episode.
Enjoyed the first 3 series, rest no so much.
Series 4 introduces a new character: Jason, who is just an awful human being and it kinda ruined the series for me. I wish they could have written him somewhat likable but he gets awful by every episode.
Enjoyed the first 3 series, rest no so much.
Great show that does not hold back.
zayan_ayman7 April 2016
I loved this show, so much so that its now my most recommended show to my friends. Everyone is weary when i first tell them the premise and when they first see it. By the 2nd episode they also become a fellow plebeian. Give the show a try at least 2 episodes! You will most likely not regret it. Marcus can get a little annoying at times but Stylax more than makes up for it, being both a sexual deviant and a terrible influence. The pinnacle of the show is Grumio (Ryan Samson), he is hilarious and downright brilliant. The set up of the show is similar in each episode but the story is complex and witty. The landlord's banter with Grumio is also amazing.
From ecstasy to agony in five series
liverbird284 September 2021
One of the funniest and cleverest comedies I've seen but they should have stopped after series 3 when Joel Fry left. The 'actor' who replaced him can't act and I'd love to know who auditioned him. He turned one of the best shows into the worst. Series 4 was painful to watch and I didn't bother with series 5. Such a shame. Love Tom Basden as both an actor and a writer but S4 was simply cringeworthy. Ah well, I still have my box set of S1-3 and I will wipe the rest from my memory. 10/10 for the first 3. No points at all for the rest.
If you like Inbetweeners, you'll love it.... If you don't, tough!
Laraalison25 April 2013
Plebs is an easy going, obvious, rude comedy.
Set in Ancient Rome, many have likened it to the Inbetweeners and it's easy to see why. If you like Inbetweeners, it's no bad thing, obviously. Plebs is a total giggle-fest if you like this type of humour.
Ryan Sampson plays Grumio, the slave. Quite simply he is the scene and show stealer - great lines, dead-pan face, an innocent arrogance but clearly quite sneakily clever. Baldrick like, yes, but somehow different.
Doon Mackichan is a star, perfectly cast as the perverted, prissy but oh!, so dirty, narcissistic Boss - she rocks this part.
Truthfully, the two other main characters could be played by anybody, they just seem to read their lines. Posh, gangly, excessive face pulling... pretty much journeymen.
You'll encounter dead hands to masturbate with, herpes riddled cats, porn jugs, sex cages, orgies, swearing, saucy fruit...
Yes, it is childish - immature - infantile - puerile! But that is what it is supposed to be. And it is darned funny to boot.
Set in Ancient Rome, many have likened it to the Inbetweeners and it's easy to see why. If you like Inbetweeners, it's no bad thing, obviously. Plebs is a total giggle-fest if you like this type of humour.
Ryan Sampson plays Grumio, the slave. Quite simply he is the scene and show stealer - great lines, dead-pan face, an innocent arrogance but clearly quite sneakily clever. Baldrick like, yes, but somehow different.
Doon Mackichan is a star, perfectly cast as the perverted, prissy but oh!, so dirty, narcissistic Boss - she rocks this part.
Truthfully, the two other main characters could be played by anybody, they just seem to read their lines. Posh, gangly, excessive face pulling... pretty much journeymen.
You'll encounter dead hands to masturbate with, herpes riddled cats, porn jugs, sex cages, orgies, swearing, saucy fruit...
Yes, it is childish - immature - infantile - puerile! But that is what it is supposed to be. And it is darned funny to boot.
it started really well, but then the quality went a bit down.
quaseprovisorio1 November 2021
Plebs took me 2 episodes to get hooked, but when i did i really enjoyed. The first 2 seasons deserve a 9 because they are really funny and more than that the roma environment really works in favour of the show. Plus the whole arch of having marcus trying to hook up with Cynthia by lying, deceiving, tricking and then seeing all the lies falling apart at the end, was for me the main thing on the show. And metella almost bullying him, that was great too.
Then season 3...i missed the girls. Delphine was a fine character and it was fun seeing marcus constantly afraid of losing her but at the end of the day her arch was not rich enough. The funny scenes with her are like in 3 episodes. But still we have the three dudes being the same which redeems the whole thing.
But in 4 and 5 there is no stylax and jason is not by any means the best replacement. He is too cute for this show and not exactly empathic, even though his dumbness is funny. Them having a bar is fine, but it looked a bit of a cheap version of its always sunny in philadelphia. Grumio was basically the main saviour of these two seasons - he was always the funniest thing in the show but on these two seasons he pretty much saved the whole thing.
I dont think people will regret this last two seasons but they are no way as good comparing with the first two. The third one is kinda middle of the road but still closer to season 1 and 2 than season 3 and 4.
Look people must see the first 2 seasons. And the third. The other two is more your own risk. I will still replay them for sure.
Then season 3...i missed the girls. Delphine was a fine character and it was fun seeing marcus constantly afraid of losing her but at the end of the day her arch was not rich enough. The funny scenes with her are like in 3 episodes. But still we have the three dudes being the same which redeems the whole thing.
But in 4 and 5 there is no stylax and jason is not by any means the best replacement. He is too cute for this show and not exactly empathic, even though his dumbness is funny. Them having a bar is fine, but it looked a bit of a cheap version of its always sunny in philadelphia. Grumio was basically the main saviour of these two seasons - he was always the funniest thing in the show but on these two seasons he pretty much saved the whole thing.
I dont think people will regret this last two seasons but they are no way as good comparing with the first two. The third one is kinda middle of the road but still closer to season 1 and 2 than season 3 and 4.
Look people must see the first 2 seasons. And the third. The other two is more your own risk. I will still replay them for sure.
Aaaright landlord...
jules-898-30414616 January 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Salve everyone. This quality of sitcom doesn't come along very often. Tom Basden and Sam Leifer have created a classic. I hope and pray that series 2 is as good as the first. I have watched the six episodes over and over and introduced it to every house guest that has passed through our front door.
Why is it so good? It follows the traditional structure of a great many British sitcoms from the past; repeated situations that vary only slightly from week to week but are always funny; classic characters that you instantly feel you know personally. It creates realistic situations that make ancient Rome relevant and funny. And it only uses bad language to punctuate and add humour rather than to pep-up an otherwise lacklustre script.
Marcus, Stylax and Grumio are the Three Stooges of ancient Rome... though one is obviously from somewhere near Manchester. They're at times stupid, manipulative, gross, lazy, utterly seethru, charming, laddish and totally plebeian. But they're all lovable and completely real. Each is a completely necessary foil for the others and all are superbly played by a wonderful and very talented cast.
No plot spoilers, just go and buy it! Every performance in it is wonderful, from the slick landlord to the Essex-girl-next-door with her sharp-as-a-tack slave. From the man-eater boss to the corporate memo writer. Then of course there is the fabulous Waterboy (sorry, Waterman) played by one of the show's writers, Tom Basden (have a look at his own YouTube videos).
A word about the show's music too... Baba Brooks? Toots and the Maytals? In ancient Rome? I don't know why but it's just perfect!
You've probably guessed by now that I LOVE IT.
SECOND SERIES - sad update
What a disappointment! We've gone from the most promising TV comedy in years to lowest common denominator garbage in one fell swoop. So far I have seen the first two episodes of series two. In the first we're given the spectacle of Marcus performing oral sex on a prostitute and in the second the lads vistit a site to experience oral sex from old men through a hole in wooden fence. Hilarious... not. When you have to stoop to this for laughs you've run out of ideas. If we want porn there are a billion websites waiting to take our money. It's not necessary to include it in a TV show to get cheap laughs. I am no prude. The language is fine, the inuendo is fine. There just isn't the need for this extra gyno comedy. The Marcus from series one just hasn't got it in him to perform cunnilingus with an older woman on his first date... let alone on a kitchen table. Marcus would not carry Grumio on his shoulders during a chariot race. It would be the other way round. The character of Davus is completely unnecessary. I can go on and on... The show has had more money chucked at it, CGI, fancy camera angles and a drugged up, sexed up script. It's as bad as series 3 of the Mighty Boosh. Dudes... Fawlty Towers and Father Ted didn't stray into these murky waters. They're classics. They're clever. This is junk. Shame on you. What a waste.
Why is it so good? It follows the traditional structure of a great many British sitcoms from the past; repeated situations that vary only slightly from week to week but are always funny; classic characters that you instantly feel you know personally. It creates realistic situations that make ancient Rome relevant and funny. And it only uses bad language to punctuate and add humour rather than to pep-up an otherwise lacklustre script.
Marcus, Stylax and Grumio are the Three Stooges of ancient Rome... though one is obviously from somewhere near Manchester. They're at times stupid, manipulative, gross, lazy, utterly seethru, charming, laddish and totally plebeian. But they're all lovable and completely real. Each is a completely necessary foil for the others and all are superbly played by a wonderful and very talented cast.
No plot spoilers, just go and buy it! Every performance in it is wonderful, from the slick landlord to the Essex-girl-next-door with her sharp-as-a-tack slave. From the man-eater boss to the corporate memo writer. Then of course there is the fabulous Waterboy (sorry, Waterman) played by one of the show's writers, Tom Basden (have a look at his own YouTube videos).
A word about the show's music too... Baba Brooks? Toots and the Maytals? In ancient Rome? I don't know why but it's just perfect!
You've probably guessed by now that I LOVE IT.
SECOND SERIES - sad update
What a disappointment! We've gone from the most promising TV comedy in years to lowest common denominator garbage in one fell swoop. So far I have seen the first two episodes of series two. In the first we're given the spectacle of Marcus performing oral sex on a prostitute and in the second the lads vistit a site to experience oral sex from old men through a hole in wooden fence. Hilarious... not. When you have to stoop to this for laughs you've run out of ideas. If we want porn there are a billion websites waiting to take our money. It's not necessary to include it in a TV show to get cheap laughs. I am no prude. The language is fine, the inuendo is fine. There just isn't the need for this extra gyno comedy. The Marcus from series one just hasn't got it in him to perform cunnilingus with an older woman on his first date... let alone on a kitchen table. Marcus would not carry Grumio on his shoulders during a chariot race. It would be the other way round. The character of Davus is completely unnecessary. I can go on and on... The show has had more money chucked at it, CGI, fancy camera angles and a drugged up, sexed up script. It's as bad as series 3 of the Mighty Boosh. Dudes... Fawlty Towers and Father Ted didn't stray into these murky waters. They're classics. They're clever. This is junk. Shame on you. What a waste.
Pretty funny
russellcarvell15 October 2014
I love history, and puerile stupid humour, so this is right up my street. I loved the Inbetweeners, and this is almost as good. I find that good historical comedies are really difficult to find. At times they can be a real disappointment, but I instantly liked this. Some are saying that season 2 sucks, but I don't agree. I still love it, even if it's had some near-the-knuckle moments. For me, Stylax is easily the best character. I wasn't sure about Groomio initially, but he's growing on me. I'm hoping this will last for another couple of seasons, as I like the way the characters are developing, and there has got to be a good few situations to explore. I hope it raises its profile a bit more, and becomes more popular, so we get some more seasons.
Series 1 to 3.
jamesisaylestonebulldogs8 May 2018
Hilarious comedy set in ancient Rome. About three young men who are all equally funny, but the funniest is Stylax. Marcus is the straight guy with a slave with attitude (Grumio). Sadly, Stylax is not in series 4, which is not as funny mainly because the replacement, Jason, seems to be successful with women and this leaves out a lot of scope for comedy. Also, Grumio seems to have changed his character.
Stop watching after series 3
berg-745325 April 2021
Joel. Fry left and so did my interest in this show. Joel Fry's character was always trying to have sex with every woman he meets and at least one man but it was still somehow endearing but his replacement is a borderline sexual predator who has absolutely no charm and only thinks of himself. Not once in series 4 did even a hint of a chuckle present itself. The first 22 episodes were fun, series 4 turned into mean spirited nonsense.
Salve Grumio !
danelucas14 June 2016
As a 55 year old who has watched comedy over the decades, from the bad to the 'Classics', I certainly hope that Plebs will fall into the Classic category.
Refreshingly entertaining, great characters, each funny in their own right, moments of side splitting hilarity. It took me a few episodes to warm to , but once in, hilarious. Best comedy on the TV at the moment, and a show you can go back to and still enjoy.Always the sign of a good comedy I think.
Other reviewers have gone into more detail than myself, carn't be arsed ! Salve Grumio ? Aaaaright landlord !!
Refreshingly entertaining, great characters, each funny in their own right, moments of side splitting hilarity. It took me a few episodes to warm to , but once in, hilarious. Best comedy on the TV at the moment, and a show you can go back to and still enjoy.Always the sign of a good comedy I think.
Other reviewers have gone into more detail than myself, carn't be arsed ! Salve Grumio ? Aaaaright landlord !!
Amusing Comedy
nekengren-24 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
It takes a couple episodes to feel the vibe. I found it amusing enough to continue through most of Season 4. The first couple seasons really play on the Roman society for it's laughs. Good. Season 3+ they seems to start struggling for laughs and fall back on modern memes with Roman backdrops. Starting to lose me. Season 4 Stylax is replaced with golden boy who just isn't helping this show. I gave up half way through Season 4 because it lost its Mojo. Had to watch with subtitles because I'm a Yankee who misses half of what Grumio says.
Loved it!
TimeFox88119 March 2021
Charming, likable characters, upbeat music and a unique setting. This show is very easy to watch and get into.
The changes in the later seasons aren't that bad, it takes an episode or two before the show gets right back into its rhythm.
The changes in the later seasons aren't that bad, it takes an episode or two before the show gets right back into its rhythm.
Instant classic
chuck-aiken17 August 2014
The show may not be for everyone, but if your smart and like to laugh this is the show for you. It has everything that makes TV funny. If you don't get it you won't like it, but that's your bad! This show was as instant classic from the moment I saw it.
The dynamic between the actors is second to none. Give this one a chance, the day to day life of these guys is a must see with endless story lines. The writers are smart and funny with out being rude or vulgar.
I don't know if girls will like it but they should. It's funny watch it with friend or alone you are going to laugh or your money back! This could be my favorite sit-com of all time! 10 stars!
The dynamic between the actors is second to none. Give this one a chance, the day to day life of these guys is a must see with endless story lines. The writers are smart and funny with out being rude or vulgar.
I don't know if girls will like it but they should. It's funny watch it with friend or alone you are going to laugh or your money back! This could be my favorite sit-com of all time! 10 stars!
Not too Plebeian
ygwerin124 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Browsing on ITV2 some years back to check it out for possible TV shows to watch, I didn't find anything to bother with.
My son spotted it and recommended it, I was initially sceptical but decided to give it a go.
I was pleasantly surprised by it, its quirky with odd characters in an ancient setting.
The only regular person in it that i am at all familiar with is Doon Mackichan, as i have never seen the Inbetweeners i am not at all familiar with any of the people in it.
Plebs is set in Ancient Rome and features two friends, Marcus and Stylax who work as Office Clerks. The third central character is their slave Grumio, they all three share a rather basic flat in a back street area of the city.
Other regular characters are fellow workmate Aurelius, and Flavia their rather stern boss with definitely the whip hand.
There is also their Landlord something of a wheeler dealer, who certainly has his fingers in many a local pie. The lads next door neighbour is Cynthia, who is served by her slave Metella.
Episodes over the different Series boast numerous guest stars, familiar to viewers of British TV shows.
All in all its a daft and silly comedy show with enough different scenarios, to provide chuckles and giggles along the way.
I was pleasantly surprised by it, its quirky with odd characters in an ancient setting.
The only regular person in it that i am at all familiar with is Doon Mackichan, as i have never seen the Inbetweeners i am not at all familiar with any of the people in it.
Plebs is set in Ancient Rome and features two friends, Marcus and Stylax who work as Office Clerks. The third central character is their slave Grumio, they all three share a rather basic flat in a back street area of the city.
Other regular characters are fellow workmate Aurelius, and Flavia their rather stern boss with definitely the whip hand.
There is also their Landlord something of a wheeler dealer, who certainly has his fingers in many a local pie. The lads next door neighbour is Cynthia, who is served by her slave Metella.
Episodes over the different Series boast numerous guest stars, familiar to viewers of British TV shows.
All in all its a daft and silly comedy show with enough different scenarios, to provide chuckles and giggles along the way.
Average
coles_notes13 June 2022
Following three lowly plebeians in the mid-20s B. C. E. Rome, Plebs is a modern-ish sitcom with some references to historical events / context but is generally just as a means to differentiate itself from other comedy series at the time. Created by Tom Basden and Sam Leifer, with the former appearing as a character in the show, and Tom Rosenthal, Ryan Sampson, and Joel Fry taking the leads initially. Ryan Sampson's character Grumio, a slave to the other lead, is fantastic and a reason to watch the first season possibly, quite funny, however his character gets stale over the 5 season run, some cast leaves throughout that time, and generally the show continually goes downhill. Time skips forward all over the place, plots don't really carry through much, and female characters are all horribly written, and not due to the historical setting of a sexist 20s BCE Rome, but honestly more so just due to lazy, ignorant writing. The series was nominated for a few BAFTAs apparently, which was a surprise and originally a reason to check it out, if you're really into Rome then maybe this will be a laugh but generally I'd say there's better things to sink the time into.
Genius!
agnabeya14 May 2018
I loved the first three series- but I REALLY love the 4th series. Yes, I miss Stylax- but Jace is ace! Love how the water-boy (sorry- water man) has been more included. He should be. The writing has improved- and they should make Grumio emperor. I can't believe this series is almost done already. You have made a grey haired old lady very happy- Salve lads!
Love it..
shashrvacai8 November 2021
The simplistic lifestyle that is been shown might be repetitive but that's what makes it even better. Groomio, Marcus and Stylex are silly goof balls you can't help but love. The ska music in this show, although you would think that doesn't work in ancient Rome, is excellent. There are some scenes I laughed so hard I cried, like the breast milk dousing scene. This show is really fantastic and I highly recommend it.
See also
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