Revisiting Channel 4's 'Flowers'

Channel 4’s Flowers is a dark comedy starring Olivia Colman, Julian Barratt, Sophia Di Martino and others. The cast is genuinely star-studded, and their chemistry is exceptional.

Writer and actor Will Sharpe’s character, Shun, is a brilliant subversion of the stereotypical comic relief trope. He initially appears as an eccentric outsider within the Flowers family, working as Maurice’s illustrator. The two share a writing shed, separated from the main house. One of the show’s greatest strengths is the timing of Shun’s unfolding backstory, which exemplifies its masterful pacing. This is also why I feel the final episode of Season Two serves as a brilliant conclusion—nostalgic for the tone of Season One. That said, this review primarily focuses on Season One, which I found more compelling.

I began watching with modest expectations, as Flowers remains criminally underdiscussed. However, I was quickly drawn in by the natural, lived-in chemistry between the family members. Despite Donald’s absurdity, the show offers just enough insight into his inner world for his emotional revelations to resonate. I also appreciated the ensemble cast, who bring a diverse range of characteristics and oddities. The comedy works just as well in the chaos of a dinner party as it does in the quiet moments between Shun and Maurice. Every actor delivers with impeccable timing. Olivia Colman, in particular, is superb as a wife and mother desperately trying to hold her family together. One standout scene shows her listening to Maurice’s tapes as her tea overflows—a subtle, moving moment that distils her character’s emotional state.

Visually, the show is rich and thematic. The cinematography mirrors the central themes of family, depression and grief, while maintaining a domestic warmth that draws viewers into the Flowers’ world. Each family member is deeply flawed in a believable, almost mundane way. Amy and Donald remain at home, Maurice struggles to articulate his mental illness, and Deborah attempts to manage the household’s emotional turbulence.

A common criticism I’ve encountered concerns the side characters, particularly George and Abigail. Some viewers find them unrealistic, bizarre for the sake of it, or even distracting. I am of two minds here. George serves as a useful catalyst for the show’s satirical tone and helps highlight Maurice’s tragic decline, particularly in the hospital scenes. He also reflects Deborah’s desperation for companionship. That said, the unsettling dynamic between Abigail and George felt somewhat underdeveloped, or at least unexplored. However, it did lead to one of my favourite moments: Amy’s explosive scream after her short-lived romance with Abigail ended. I would be interested to learn more about the creative thinking behind these two characters, as their presence arguably helps reveal the Flowers family's buried desires.

One moment that really stayed with me was Shun reuniting with his family in the woods—perfectly timed and emotionally impactful, it revealed the extent of his isolation. He is a tragic character whose longing for belonging deeply moved me. His rejection by Maurice’s editors was a particularly sharp moment, brilliantly satirising the publishing industry’s gatekeeping tendencies.

Another scene that resonated was Donald discovering the happiness machine he built for Amy as children. Despite his clownish behaviour, Donald also longs to reconnect with his family and remind them of their shared history. My one criticism of Season Two is that some of this emotional depth seems to fade from Donald’s character, which feels inconsistent given his arc in Season One.

Overall, Flowers Season One is a beautifully messy, tragic yet realistic portrayal of family, belonging and mental illness. While rich in absurd, often hilarious moments, the show never sacrifices emotional depth. Each episode is layered, poignant and strikingly human.