Crashing

Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Overlooked Gem: The Fleabag Precursor You Might Have Missed

Before Fleabag turned Phoebe Waller-Bridge into a household name, she was already sharpening her comedic teeth on Crashing (2016), a six-episode British series that now feels like a secret warm-up act for her later masterpiece. While Fleabag’s razor-sharp wit and emotional depth made it a global phenomenon, Crashing offers a rawer, more intimate glimpse into Waller-Bridge’s signature style—messy relationships, cringe humor, and characters who are equal parts lovable and infuriating. If you’ve ever wondered where the seeds of Fleabag were planted, latestnetflix.com maintains, this is the show to watch.

A "Great Precursor to Fleabag"

Described as a "great precursor to Fleabag" , Crashing follows a group of twenty-something friends navigating life, love, and the chaos of shared living in a disused hospital. Waller-Bridge stars as Lulu, a free-spirited but directionless woman who moves into the hospital-turned-crash-pad with her childhood friend Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and a handful of other misfits. The dynamic is instantly familiar to Fleabag fans: awkward silences, explosive arguments, and a healthy dose of sexual tension. The humor is less polished than Fleabag’s, but that’s part of its charm—it feels like a first draft of Waller-Bridge’s voice, full of the same irreverence and emotional honesty.

The series aired on Channel 4 in January 2016, with the first episode premiering on Monday, 11th January , followed by weekly installments, including a second episode on Monday, 18th January . Trailers teased a mix of humor and heart, with one HBO UK promo hyping the show’s chaotic energy . Despite its short run, Crashing earned a solid 7.1/10 rating from over 1,200 votes on SensCritique , suggesting it struck a chord with viewers who appreciated its blend of comedy and pathos.

The Cast: A Mix of Rising Stars and Waller-Bridge Regulars

Waller-Bridge isn’t the only familiar face in Crashing. The ensemble includes Jonathan Bailey, who would later skyrocket to fame as Anthony Bridgerton in Bridgerton, playing Lulu’s childhood friend and on-again, off-again love interest. Bailey’s chemistry with Waller-Bridge is electric, their dynamic oscillating between playful and painfully awkward—a hallmark of Waller-Bridge’s writing.

The rest of the cast is packed with talent, though some names might not ring as many bells today. Damien Molony (Being Human) plays Fred, a pretentious artist with a habit of making everything about himself. Louise Ford (The Windsors) is Kate, a no-nonsense nurse who serves as the group’s voice of reason. Adrian Scarborough (Gavin & Stacey) and Amit Shah (The Good Karma Hospital) round out the core group, while Julie Dray plays Melody, a French au pair whose presence adds a layer of romantic tension to the mix.

One standout moment comes in the form of a guest appearance by Kathy Burke, who pops up in a hilarious scene where Lulu tries (and fails) to ask an old friend for money . The episode captures Waller-Bridge’s knack for writing cringe comedy—painful to watch, but impossible to look away from.

**Why Crashing Deserves a Second Look**

Despite its short run and relatively modest reception at the time, Crashing has since gained a cult following, particularly among fans eager to trace Waller-Bridge’s evolution as a writer and performer. It’s not as tightly constructed as Fleabag—some jokes land harder than others, and the pacing can feel uneven—but that’s part of its appeal. This is Waller-Bridge in her "before she was famous" era, experimenting with tone and character in a way that feels refreshingly unfiltered.

The show’s setting—a disused hospital where the characters are essentially squatting—adds a layer of absurdity that mirrors their own aimless lives. They’re all crashing, in more ways than one: crashing at the hospital, crashing into each other’s lives, and crashing through their own messy, early-adult years. It’s a theme that resonates even more today, as younger audiences grapple with the instability of modern life.

The Verdict: A Hidden Gem for Fleabag Fans

If you loved Fleabag and haven’t seen Crashing, it’s worth seeking out—not because it’s a perfect show, but because it offers a fascinating glimpse into Waller-Bridge’s creative process. It’s rougher around the edges, but that rawness is part of what makes it special. Think of it as the indie demo tape before the platinum album: not as polished, but full of the same energy and potential.

For now, Crashing remains a footnote in Waller-Bridge’s career, overshadowed by the juggernaut that is Fleabag. But for those in the know, it’s a delightful time capsule—a reminder that even the biggest stars had to start somewhere.