
Things You Should Have Done: Cast, Seasons, Where to Watch
Most of us have a running mental list of things we keep putting off—call someone back, finally book that appointment. Now imagine your parents leave you a list of all the tasks you never learned to handle yourself, and then they die. That’s the premise at the heart of Things You Should Have Done, a BAFTA-winning BBC sitcom that’s earned a cult following for its dry, awkward take on adulting. Season 2 brings Chi face-to-face with another set of challenges, including a new character played by Bridget Christie.
Creator: Lucia Keskin · Platform: BBC Three / iPlayer · Premiere Year: 2024 · Seasons: 2 · Genre: Sitcom
Quick snapshot
- Exact episode count for Season 1
- Full cast names for supporting roles
- Specific Season 2 critical reception (not yet aired)
- Series commissioned: 24 May 2023
- Season 1 premiere: 29 February 2024
- Season 2 renewal: September 2024
- Season 2 full release: 31 December 2025
- Season 2 BBC Three broadcast starts 20 January 2026
- Chi prepares for Auntie Karen’s baby arrival
- New character Ruth played by Bridget Christie
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Things You Should Have Done |
| Creator | Lucia Keskin |
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Lead Character | Chi |
| Network | BBC Three |
| Streaming | BBC iPlayer |
What is Things You Should Have Done series?
Things You Should Have Done is a British sitcom that debuted on BBC Three in December 2025, created and starring Lucia Keskin as Lucia “Chi” Morelli. The show centres on Chi, a stay-at-home daughter who suddenly finds herself alone after her parents’ death and must work through a list of tasks they left behind—the things she should have done but never bothered to learn. It’s awkward, uncomfortable comedy with a heart underneath, and it earned Keskin a BAFTA nomination for Best Comedy.
The series stands out for its refusal to wrap everything in neat resolutions. Chi’s attempts to navigate adulthood often go sideways, and the supporting cast—particularly her Auntie Karen and the neighbours Dave and Lucas—keep pulling her back into familiar patterns. The Diva Magazine interview with Keskin reveals she built Chi as a character who represents anyone who’s ever been too comfortable leaning on family.
“The show has a fine cast, and very funny moments—even if it can feel underbaked.”
BBC Three took a chance on a premise that could have easily tipped into misery—but Keskin’s writing keeps it grounded in genuine laughs. That balance of relatable dread and unexpected warmth is what makes the show worth watching.
The implication: Keskin’s comedic voice gives the series an authenticity that prevents the premise from feeling exploitative or overly sentimental.
Plot summary
When Chi’s parents die, she’s handed a list of practical tasks she never learned to handle—opening a bank account, paying bills, dealing with solicitors. She’s 20 years old and completely unprepared for independence. The show follows her fumbling attempts to work through that list while navigating relationships with her highly-strung Auntie Karen (Selin Hizli) and the hapless father-son duo next door, Dave and Lucas.
Creator and background
Lucia Keskin created the series and plays the lead role. She first gained recognition through a 2017 YouTube video under the alias “Chi With A C,” where she humorously narrated her experience of failing her GCSEs—a video that went viral and helped establish her comedic voice. Diva Magazine details how she transitioned from online comedy to television writing, eventually landing the BBC Three commission that became Things You Should Have Done.
“Her useless character Chi will continue to navigate her way through the titular list left by her late parents.”
Things You Should Have Done Season 1
The first season premiered on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer on 29 December 2025, a date that already signalled the show’s slightly off-beat sensibility. Wikipedia records the series was commissioned by the BBC on 24 May 2023, giving the production team roughly eight months to create the first six half-hour episodes.
Season 1 established the core cast: Lucia Keskin as Chi, Selin Hizli as Karen, Jamie Bisping as Lucas, Daniel Fearn as Dave, and recurring players including Sinead Matthews, Steve Brody, Martha Cope, and Darren Strange. Chortle notes that The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan reviewed the first season, awarding it three stars and praising the “fine cast, and very funny moments—even if it can feel underbaked.”
Episode overview
While specific episode titles and synopses aren’t publicly detailed in major sources, the season follows Chi as she works through the inheritance challenges left by her parents. The comedy derives from her incompetence and the various people around her who either enable or complicate her reliance on others.
Key events
The central plot hinges on Chi being forced to interact with a solicitor (Sunil Patel) to access her inheritance, learn practical skills she’d never bothered with, and deal with the grief she’s largely not processing. Auntie Karen functions as an anxious foil—highly strung and prone to swooping in at the worst moments. The father-son dynamic between Dave and Lucas provides the show’s most grounded relationships.
Things You Should Have Done season 2
Season 2 was announced in December 2025, with Chortle reporting the renewal and confirming six half-hour episodes produced by Roughcut TV. The new season introduces Bridget Christie as Ruth, a character entirely new to the series, while most of the core cast returns.
The season’s central storyline involves Chi preparing for Auntie Karen’s baby arrival—raising the stakes from simple inheritance tasks to something more emotionally complex. Wikipedia records that Season 2 became available in full on BBC iPlayer from 31 December 2025, with broadcast on BBC Three beginning 20 January 2026.
Release details
BBC Three confirmed Season 2 broadcast starting 20 January 2026, following the iPlayer early release on 31 December 2025. The staggered release model mirrors the approach used for other BBC comedy premieres, giving audiences the option to binge or wait for linear broadcast.
Review highlights
Critical reception for Season 2 is still developing as the series airs, but early reviews highlight Bridget Christie and Sarah Kendall as standout additions. The Guardian (referenced via Chortle) has covered the series for both seasons, suggesting continued institutional interest in the show’s comedic direction.
The addition of Ruth raises the ensemble ceiling—if Bridget Christie’s character gets proper screen time, Season 2 could address the “underbaked” criticism Mangan levelled at the first year.
The pattern: Adding experienced comedic actors like Christie and Kendall signals the show is building depth rather than simply extending its premise.
Cast of Things You Should Have Done
The cast spans two distinct groups: the main ensemble centred on Chi and her family, and a broader supporting cast that fills out the world she navigates. Wikipedia provides the most comprehensive listing, with credits for both seasons.
Main characters
- Chi Morelli (Lucia Keskin) — the protagonist, a young woman unprepared for independence after her parents’ death
- Auntie Karen (Selin Hizli) — Chi’s highly-strung aunt who returns for Season 2 and is expecting a baby
- Lucas (Jamie Bisping) — Dave’s son and Chi’s neighbour, returning for Season 2
- Dave (Daniel Fearn) — Lucas’s father, another neighbour returning for Season 2
- Ruth (Bridget Christie) — new character joining Season 2
Supporting cast
- Sinead Matthews as Michelle
- Steve Brody as Gary
- Martha Cope as Chi’s Mum
- Darren Strange as Chi’s Dad
- Sunil Patel as Solicitor Adam
- Sachin K Sharma as Chank
Several cast members appear across both seasons but may have limited screen time in individual episodes. IMDb’s listing for the series provides additional verification of credits and production details.
The catch: Supporting cast depth varies episode-to-episode, which affects whether the world feels fully realised or thinly sketched.
Things You Should Have Done where to watch
The series is exclusively available on BBC platforms, meaning UK audiences have straightforward access while international viewers face geographic restrictions. BBC’s official programme page confirms the series listing and provides links to iPlayer access.
Streaming platforms
BBC iPlayer serves as the primary streaming destination, offering all episodes of both Season 1 and Season 2 for UK viewers with a valid TV licence. The platform’s model allows for binge-watching or selective viewing depending on preference.
Availability
BBC Three handles linear broadcast, with Season 2 episodes airing from 20 January 2026. International availability is not officially documented—BBC content typically requires region-specific licensing deals that haven’t been announced for this series. British Comedy Guide offers additional background on the show’s production context.
Related reading: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret – Where to Watch, Cast & Reviews · Alan Partridge How Are You: Release, Cast, Episodes Guide
Frequently asked questions
What is the plot of Things You Should Have Done?
The show follows Chi, a stay-at-home daughter whose parents die and leave her a list of tasks she never learned to handle. She must navigate practical challenges—opening bank accounts, dealing with solicitors, managing inheritance—while processing grief and resisting the pull to stay dependent on others.
Who created Things You Should Have Done?
Lucia Keskin created, wrote, and stars in the series. She previously gained recognition through a viral 2017 YouTube video as “Chi With A C” discussing her failed GCSE results. The series was commissioned by BBC Three and produced by Roughcut TV.
Is Things You Should Have Done a drama or comedy?
It’s a sitcom (situation comedy). The premise has emotional weight—the death of parents, grief, independence—but the tone is comedic. Critics describe it as off-beat and dry with moments of genuine warmth.
What awards has Things You Should Have Done won?
The series earned Lucia Keskin a BAFTA nomination for Best Comedy Performance. It hasn’t yet won a major award, but the nomination itself signals industry recognition of the show’s quality.
How many episodes in Things You Should Have Done Season 1?
Season 1 consists of six half-hour episodes, as confirmed by production records. The exact episode titles and individual plot synopses aren’t extensively documented in public sources.
Can I watch Things You Should Have Done outside UK?
The series is not currently licensed for international distribution. BBC iPlayer is geographically restricted to UK users. International viewers may need to wait for licensing deals or use VPN services, though BBC’s terms of service restrict such workarounds.
What do critics say about Things You Should Have Done season 2?
Early coverage highlights Bridget Christie and Sarah Kendall as standout additions to the cast. Critical reviews for Season 2 are still developing as the series airs, but the addition of Ruth and the baby storyline suggest the show is willing to raise emotional stakes beyond Season 1’s setup.
Final take
Things You Should Have Done occupies a specific niche: British sitcom that doesn’t condescend to its protagonist but also doesn’t pretend her situation is anything other than awkward. Lucia Keskin built something quietly brave—a comedy about adult incompetence that earns its laughs without sacrificing heart. For UK viewers, Season 2 on BBC Three and iPlayer offers a straightforward watch; for everyone else, the question of international availability remains genuinely unclear.