With the changing of seasons, it’s easy to feel a little bit gloomy. On the bright side, we have more time to cosy up on the sofa with some brilliant television – and is there any better cure to the post-summer blues than a good laugh? There’s one woman who we can always rely on to make us smile – Dawn French, and she has a back catalogue of shows and films that are guaranteed to cheer you up.
From a Grantchester replacement to classic British sitcoms and a brilliant murder mystery – there’s something for every taste and for whatever mood you’re in. So, get comfy, here are the 7 superb Dawn French dramas to watch now on ITV, Netflix, the BBC and more.
Lark Rise To Candleford
For a Grantchester replacement, our first stop is the Oxfordshire countryside, between the small hamlet of Lark Rise and wealthier neighbouring town of Candleford. The BBC period drama, which aired from 2008 to 2011, is based on Flora Thompson’s memoir about her childhood in the English countryside in the 19th century. The series lead, Laura Timmins (Olivia Hallinan), leaves Lark Rise for Candleford to begin an apprenticeship as a postmistress. The series documents the colourful residents on both sides of the community divide – including Caroline (Dawn French) one of the Timmins’ controversial neighbours. Dawn is brilliant as a warm, chaotic and often drunk mother of four who’s trying to keep her family afloat while her husband’s away at sea. Lark Rise To Candleford is available to watch now on U.
Girls On Top
We’ve all endured nightmare living situations, and this hilarious 1980s ITV sitcom follows four extremely mismatched female housemates as they navigate sharing a Chelsea flat. Amanda Ripley (Dawn French) is a feminist journalist for ‘Spare Cheeks’, and her longstanding comedy partner Jennifer Saunders plays Jennifer Marsh, her hanger-on childhood friend. Candice Valentine (played by Tracey Ullman) is a manipulative glamorous blonde, while Shelley Dupont (Ruby Wax) is a brash unemployed American actress. Adding to the eccentricity is their ageing landlady, Lady Chloe Carlton (Joan Greenwood). Together, the women must navigate all the usual ordeals of flat sharing (such as the cleaning rota and romances) to more extreme sagas- such as a kidnapping attempt, and a death! Girls On Top is available to watch now on ITVX.
The Vicar Of Dibley
No Dawn French round-up would be complete without a trip to Dibley. First airing in 1994 on BBC One, Dawn plays one of her most beloved roles, Geraldine Granger, the village’s new vicar following the Church of England’s decision to ordain women as priests. Her arrival causes quite the stir among the parish council, but she quickly wins the community over with her warmth. Across three series, the sitcoms follows her comical run-ins with locals, unlikely friendships and messy romantic life. The Vicar Of Dibley is available to watch now on ITVX .
Death On The Nile
Jennifer and Dawn reunite for this thrilling Agatha Christie adaptation which takes us aboard a luxury streamer travelling down the River Nile. Kenneth Branagh returns as Hercule Poirot (after Murder On The Orient Express), who is supposed to be enjoying an Egyptian break – until wealthy heiress Linnet Ridgeway Doyle (Gal Gadot) is murdered on board! With every passenger harbouring secrets, Poirot must figure out who’s the killer and what their motive is – before they strike again. Saunders plays socialite aristocrat Marie Van Schuyler, while Dawn is her nurse, but there’s far more to the pair’s relationship than meets they eye. Death On The Nile is available to watch now on Netflix.
Can You Keep A Secret?
Well, can you? This BBC drama, which first aired in 2026, stars Dawn French, an unfiltered and no-nonsense grandmother whose life spirals into chaos after her husband William, who suffers with Parkinson’s, is mistakenly declared dead. Dawn decides to claim his life insurance money – but, William is very much alive. Their son Harry (Craig Roberts) is dragged into the cover-up, which is further complicated given that his wife Neha (Mandip Gill) works for the police! Can You Keep A Secret? Is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
Delicious
This series set on the beautiful Cornish coastline, which first aired in 2016, sees Dawn play a passionate chef, Gina, who inherits the Penrose hotel and restaurant from her late ex-husband, Leo Vincent (Iain Glen). But without funds, she has to enter a rather bizarre business deal, with his most recent wife, Sam (Emilia Fox) - who inherited his money. Across three series, the women are forced together to try and run a business, keep their complicated blended family afloat, and cope with their husband’s secrets coming out... Delicious is available to watch on NOW.
French And Saunders
Finally, we couldn’t leave out the sketch show that made French and Saunders one of the country’s most iconic comedic double-acts. Their eponymous sketch show, which first aired in 1987, initially mimicked the feeling of a low-budget variety show, before growing into a glorious comedy mash-up. The duo parody everything from films to TV drama to celebrities and pop culture moments, while also playing exaggerated versions of themselves – attempting to outdo each other with every scene. French And Saunders is available to watch on NOW.
