How a British sitcom adopted the American writers' room to dominate UK television

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: My Family, the long-running BBC sitcom about the dysfunctional Harper household, broke from British tradition by utilizing an American-style writers' room. This collaborative approach allowed the show to maintain a consistent output across eleven series, eventually becoming the most-watched sitcom in the United Kingdom by 2008.

Created by Fred Barron in 1999, My Family was designed to achieve broad appeal by focusing on a relatable family unit, much like the earlier BBC series 2point4 Children. Unlike the standard British model, which typically relied on one or two writers, Barron implemented a writers' room to brainstorm jokes and storylines. This structure enabled production companies DLT Entertainment and Rude Boy Productions to sustain the series for 120 episodes between 2000 and 2011, making it one of only twelve British sitcoms to surpass the 100-episode milestone.

The show centers on Ben and Susan Harper, a middle-class couple living in Chiswick, London. Ben, a cynical dentist, and Susan, a controlling tour guide, navigate the complexities of raising their children, Nick, Janey, and Michael. The series is noted for its lack of location footage, opting instead to record in front of live audiences at Pinewood Studios or using sets for outdoor scenes, a stylistic choice more common in American television than in British comedy of the era.

While the show was a ratings success, its legacy includes some controversy. The episode 'Blind Justice' was banned from British broadcast following viewer complaints, though it remains available on DVD and iPlayer. Additionally, the 2010 Christmas special 'Mary Christmas' is unlikely to be repeated on British television due to a guest appearance by Rolf Harris. Despite these issues, the show remains a significant piece of television history, having featured a rotating cast of characters and a dedicated team of writers, including Steven and Jim Armogida, who worked on the series throughout its entire run.

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