Watch The Job Lot

The Job Lot is a British television sitcom that originally aired on ITV from 2013 to 2015. The show revolves around the comical and often dysfunctional employees of a busy West Midlands job center. Set in Brownall House, the fictional job center is a place where the unemployed go in search of work, and where the staff themselves are often victims of the very system that they work to support.

The series stars Sarah Hadland as Trish, the enthusiastic but clueless manager of the job center, and Russell Tovey as Karl, the center's slightly hapless assistant manager. Angela Curran plays Angela, the overly-political and often insufferable head of human resources. Alongside them are a cast of eccentric and often lovable characters who populate the center, including their disgruntled probationary officer, Paul (Jo Enright), the lazy and inept security guard, Alan (Tony Maudsley), and the endlessly optimistic and chatty receptionist, Janette (Angela Griffin).

The Job Lot is a classic workplace comedy, filled with the usual petty rivalries, power struggles, and office romances that one might expect from a show set in a job center. What sets it apart, however, is its sharp writing, fantastic cast, and piercing satire of Britain's welfare system. As a result, the show manages to be both laugh-out-loud funny and surprisingly thought-provoking.

Throughout its three seasons, The Job Lot follows the lives of the staff and jobseekers who flock to Brownall House week in and week out. We see the absurdity of the workfare scheme that forces people to work for free or lose their benefits, the incompetence of government contractors who run job center courses, and the tragedy of those who are caught in a system that seems designed to keep them trapped in poverty.

At the same time, the show never forgets to make us laugh. From Trish's misguided attempts to boost staff morale with workplace initiatives, to Karl's fumbling attempts to romance his colleagues, to Janette's never-ending chatter about everything from her pets to her love life, there is always something to chuckle over in every episode.

Perhaps the most endearing thing about The Job Lot, however, is its characters. Despite being a cast of misfits and oddballs, the staff of Brownall House are all undeniably human. They make mistakes, they argue, they fall in love, and they struggle with the same frustrations and anxieties that we all face in our daily lives. Watching them navigate the absurdity of the job center system, and the drama of their personal lives, is like watching a slice of real life unfold in front of our eyes.

Overall, The Job Lot is a show that is both hilarious and heart-warming. Its sharp writing, fantastic cast, and biting social commentary make it a must-watch for anyone who loves workplace comedies or satirical television. Whether you're laughing at Trish's latest scheme, rooting for Karl to finally win over his crush, or sympathizing with the jobseekers who are struggling to make ends meet, there is something for everyone in this hilarious and well-loved British sitcom.

The Job Lot is a series that ran for 3 seasons (18 episodes) between April 29, 2013 and on BritBox