3 Reasons to Watch Chewing Gum on Netflix
The second season of Chewing Gum brings attention, acclaim and something new for Michaela Coel’s wonderfully rude comedy.
The Anglophiles among you are likely already on this particular bandwagon, but for many stateside TV fans, the recent arrival of the second season of Chewing Gum on Netflix has been a revelation. The show – Tracey, a 24-year-old woman, raised Pentecostal Christian, living on a council estate in London, decides she’s had enough of this virginity thing – is not quite like anything else. It’s funny and filthy, endearing and cringe-worthy, and it breaks enough fourth walls to make Jim Halpert jealous.
Here are three reasons Chewing Gum should top your queue this week.
1. It’s Totally Unique
The sex-positive, women-helmed rude comedy is having a much-due moment, but Chewing Gum checks the boxes for more than a few stories we haven’t seen before. There’s the nuanced treatment of virginity as sexual empowerment. There’s the depiction of evangelism as something other than a joke or a cult. There’s the visibility of Britons of color. Then, there’s the simple fact Tracey, her friends and family are working class. Not only is this fairly rare for television in general, it’s especially rare for U.S. audiences, accustomed to Downton Abbey and Sherlock, to meet this side of England. (Yes, we see you, “I prefer the original Shameless” show snobs.)
2. It Stars Your Next Favorite Multi-Hyphenate
Michaela Coel created the show, plays Tracey and will very likely dominate whichever feeds you follow for entertainment news. She’s already racking up cover stories, interviews and high-profile fanboys, not to mention a light Twitter campaign to star in a Nina Simone biopic. And for good reason: the dialogue on Chewing Gum is whip-smart and rapid-fire, the show’s depth is delightful and Coel’s physical comedy unmatched.
3. It’s Easy to Catch Up
Starting a new show is intimidating, especially when you’re two seasons behind. But here’s the catch: This is a British show, in the grand tradition of six-episode seasons, and at 20 minutes a pop, it’s very manageable. If you can’t fit that in, we question your dedication to show snobbery.