Watch Fried

Fried is a British comedy series created by Adam Pettigrew and broadcast on BBC Three in 2015. The show revolves around the lives of the employees of a struggling fast food restaurant, "Seriously Fried Chicken" located in Croydon, London. The erratic day-to-day working of the SFC and its employees comprises the crux of the show's plot.

The lead character, Mary (played by Katy Wix), is the restaurant's manager, who is constantly trying to keep the staff in line while dealing with a lack of customers and profits. A classic underdog, Mary is an endearing character viewers can root for. Her employees are a motley crew of misfits, each with their own unique personalities and quirks, including ambitious but often unsuccessful assistant manager Derek (William Melling) and his love interest Abbasi (Mandeep Dhillon), a hard-working and serious young woman trying to balance her job and personal life.

The show captures the chaos that ensues in a fast-food restaurant - from power cuts to broken machines and management's foolish decisions, a lot can go wrong. Despite the constant chaos, the quirky characters and their heartwarming interactions keep the show captivating.

Fried excels in showcasing the monotony of work and the peculiar personalities of each employee. From training sessions to team building activities, the employees go through a range of experiences that are all-too-relatable for anyone who has ever taken up a job they're not passionate about. Although the show is light-hearted, it doesn't shy away from portraying the harsh realities of the fast-food industry like the pressure on workers to meet unrealistic targets or dealing with disrespectful customers.

Each episode brings new adventures, both inside and outside the store, like competitions between rival restaurants, food critic visits, camping trips, and even a staff salsa class. The show strikes a balance between the characters' personal lives and their work, making it easy for audiences to connect with the characters on a personal level.

The comic timing and chemistry between the cast are noteworthy. The witty dialogues are a delight, and the characters' interactions keep the show interesting. The acting is well done, with each actor delivering strong performances. Katy Wix, in particular, shines as the de facto caretaker of the restaurant. Her character is relatable, and her comedic delivery is spot on.

Fried also tackles sensitive topics like sexism, racism, and the plight of the working-class, without being overtly preachy. Despite being set in the fast-food industry, the writing is nuanced and insightful.

Visually, the aesthetics of the show match the tone, with a cheerful color palette and light-hearted sound design that complements the humor well. The setting of the show is a recognizable and familiar location for everyone, with production design that impressively brings to life the gritty world of fast-food restaurants.

Overall, Fried is an entertaining and relatable show that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's a show about the underdogs and misfits who manage to keep their chin up despite the daily struggles of life. The show's sense of humor may not be for everyone, but for those looking for a light-hearted series that doesn't require too much investment, it's worth checking out.