Name: Watching
Genre: Comedy
Released: 1987-07-05
Rating: 8.3
Cast: Paul Bown, Emma Wray, Liza Tarbuck, Patsy Byrne, John Bowler

She loves birdwatching. He loves her. The North remembers... their awkward silences.

Cricket jumper energyAwkward British longingWill-they-won't-they fatigue

Latest Episode

9.030 min

Season 7 • Episode 7

Latest

Knotting

Apr 4, 1993

Brenda and Malcolm's wedding day draws near, and while Brenda remains in the dark about Joyce's present to the couple, there's a last-minute hitch concerning Malcolm's divorce.

Overview

Comedy

A young couple from Merseyside and their off again/on again relationship.

Content warning

sitcom relationship northern england mismatched couple birdwatching

Class friction disguised as comedyThe performance of compatibilityNorthern stoicism vs romantic idealism

Standout Aspects

Acting

Paul Bown's magnificent defeated posture deserves awards.

Writing

Hitchmough's scripts find poetry in excruciating small talk.

Best for:Solo·Background·Rewatch

Creator

Jim Hitchmough

First AiredJul 5, 1987

StatusEnded

Vibe

Pacesteady

Intensitylow

Tonelight

Feelmedium

Seasons7·Episodes56

Top Cast

Paul Bown

Malcolm Stoneway

Emma Wray

Brenda Wilson

Liza Tarbuck

Pamela Wilson

Patsy Byrne

Marjorie Stoneway

John Bowler

David Lynch

Noreen Kershaw

Joyce Wilson

Ask about Watching

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

The show's title is a pun on birdwatching and 'watching' the relationship—Jim Hitchmough reportedly hated that nobody got it.

Cultural

Watching pioneered the 'awkward British romance' format that Fleabag and Normal People would later perfect, but with 400% more cardigans.

Watching - Mistakeing (Outtakes, Bloopers, Unseen Bits)

Gallery

Watching (1987)