BBC Three’s hit comedy, Things You Should Have Done, returns for a new season on Tue 20 Jan. It carries the rare distinction of having arrived at the party relatively quietly, then continued to be the centre of most of its conversations. Its first run proved a sitcom could be surreal, without being up itself, emotionally literate without collapsing into sentimentality, and genuinely funny whilst asking awkward questions.
At the centre of it all is comedian and online sensation, Lucia Keskin, who writes and stars as Chi – a young woman whose parents’ death leaves her not only grieving but abruptly responsible for a life she has never been expected to manage. As she takes her first steps into being a fully functioning grown-up, we find a show that revolves around adulthood, grief and our definition of competence. In a television landscape crowded with high-concept comedies, this felt refreshingly small, strange and human.
Last season’s genius lay in how it framed adulthood as a list of tasks. Some are banal, some are existential. It then gleefully dismantled the idea that ticking boxes leads to any sense of fulfilment. The show’s impact came from its empathy: Chi was never mocked for her failures, only observed with a kind of deadpan tenderness. This is no simple piece of cringeworthy comedy.
The new season builds on that foundation, widening Chi’s world while sharpening the show’s emotional stakes. Returning cast members Selin Hizli, Jamie Bisping and Daniel Fearn continue to provide a brittle mix of support, frustration and comic friction, their characters circling Chi like anxious satellites.
The most tantalising addition, however, is Bridget Christie, whose arrival as a grief counsellor injects an unpredictable energy into the series. Her presence suggests that healing, like growing up, may be less linear than anyone would like.
Thematically, Things You Should Have Done remains preoccupied with the absurdities of modern adulthood: the pressure to be “functional”, the moral weight attached to productivity, and the way grief scrambles timelines we pretend are fixed. It is also a show about permission — who grants it, who withholds it, and what happens when you decide to proceed without it.
Still rooted in Keskin’s distinctive comic voice, the new season promises to be funnier, stranger and more assured. If the first series asked whether Chi was ready for adulthood, this one seems more interested in questioning whether adulthood itself is quite as coherent as we claim.
So, as Things You Should Have Done lands on iPlayer and prepares to return to BBC Three, we grabbed some moments with Lucia Keskin to find out more about creating an acclaimed comedy show.
There are so many aspects of Chi’s character that I recognise from people in my peer group, which is probably why so many are eager to invest time in watching her. Was she an exaggeration of your own persona, or an amalgamation of people you know?
There are definitely big parts of me in Chi (which was why I was reluctant in giving her my name, haha!), but a very exaggerated version… alongside many people I have met …mainly children.
Some people have suggested the show speaks to wider problems in society around identity and motivation for young people. Was this the intention to explore these issues, or is it just a decent framework for banter?
It was definitely my intention, as I STILL struggle with motivation with daily tasks and work, as I’m such an overthinker and comparer. Sometimes you end up not being able to even get out of bed.
Can we look behind the wizard’s curtain for a bit? How did you balance writing the first season while still having a bit of headroom if a second season were commissioned?
To be honest, I was so focused on Series 1 that I didn’t even think about what we’d do for the next series, which I probably should have! I wanted my expectations to be low and was grateful to even get to do it one time round!
So, does getting a second season of Things You Should Have Done mean a few background characters get some development?
Yes, definitely, I think in Series 2 all of our characters grow a bit.
Obviously, you’re a recognisable writer now. But are there still challenges in the pitch process? How much work goes into getting something produced after you’ve finished a draft script?
Luckily, I had the help of our amazing producer, Steve Monger, with all that stuff for Things, but it takes a LOT of drafts and tweaks and advice from people around you, before getting something to exist.
Bridget Christie is a bit of a legend. Obviously, she’s also a writer, actor and comedian, so what was she like on-set? Did she give you any good advice, or did she hide in her trailer all the time? (We know the latter is unlikely!)
THE Bridget Christie was just everything you’d want from a co-worker. Not only was she obviously incredibly funny and talented, but also the loveliest, kindest, and most generous performer. We had the best time, and she fit in so well with our family
The show has been directed by Jack Clough, who has impeccable credits. Were you pleased with his vision for your script? He seems to be a master at giving funny moments just the right amount of silence to make them delicious.
Haha! Jack is actually my partner. I’m always pleased with what he brings to the table as the weird genius he is. We just work together so well in what we want it to be like, but, of course, we argue throughout!
You started out producing your own content on social media. Do you think this will become a more common pathway into traditional broadcasting, or were you fortunate? Does this create a more democratic process for people to get their work seen?
I definitely think it’s becoming what stand-up was to wannabe comedy actors back in the day. It’s an alt route to getting an agent and being seen by casting directors/producers, rather than the traditional drama school way (or an aid to that). It seems to be becoming more and more of a gateway.
What advice would you give anyone hoping to emulate your success? Is there a magic bullet?
Be delusional. It works! xxxx
Season 2 of Things You Should Have Done returns to BBC Three on Tue 20 Jan 2026. All episodes are on iPlayer now. Or check out Lucia Keskin’s Chi With A C YouTube feed here.
Images by Jack Barnes, courtesy of BBC Pictures
