In Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s new series, Fleabag, the laughs land hard – but sadness hits harder. Following the disastrous exploits of a nameless young woman trying her best to deal with a failing business, tumultuous love life, and the loss of two of the most important women in her life, the show crackles with triumphant jokes about anal sex and “TwatNav”, while trauma simmers away beneath. When she asks me about one scene in particular, towards the end of the series, I tell her I found it almost too painful to watch.
“Oh, great!” she laughs. “Good! I’m so glad I gave you a short, horrible experience in your life.”
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