Things You Should Have Done Series Two Review: A Bafta-Winning Comedy's Evolution
The second series of Things You Should Have Done has arrived on BBC Three, bringing back the dry and quirky humour that earned its creator, Lucia Keskin, a Bafta for emerging talent. This Bafta-winning comedy continues to showcase flashes of brilliance, though it now feels like a different show altogether with significant cast changes and narrative shifts.
From Internet Sensation to Television Star
Originally airing in early 2024 on BBC Three, the first series introduced viewers to Lucia Keskin, better known online as Chi with a C. At just 23 years old, Keskin transitioned from an internet comic—famous for parodies of American Horror Story and impressions of Gemma Collins—to a television star. The show was produced by Roughcut, the company behind hits like People Just Do Nothing and Stath Lets Flats, under the guidance of The Office producer Ash Atalla.
The premise centred on Chi, a recently bereaved "stay at home daughter" from middle England, navigating life after her parents' tragic death in a car crash, guided by a list they left behind. Despite the sad setup, the series was zany rather than gloomy, with episodes featuring absurd scenarios like Chi embracing early retirement in a care home to avoid getting a job, or a cooking mishap that landed family members in hospital.
A Shift in Dynamics and New Additions
Series two opens with a major spoiler: the untimely death of aunt Karen, played by Selin Hizli. Her absence is glaring, as many of the show's best scenes in the first series involved Karen scheming to reclaim the family home from Chi or tormenting her meek husband, Dave, portrayed by Daniel Fearn. While her funeral provides some good gags—such as Chi accidentally using a best man's speech template for the eulogy—killing off this catty character doesn't deliver a particularly emotional storyline, though it does lead to unhinged lines from Keskin, like "My dead auntie is inside this Drift-max cordless IZ900!"
Thankfully, new cast members help fill the void. Bridget Christie shines as Ruth, a therapist who capitalises on Chi's grief, overstepping professional boundaries and doxing her clients, while also getting into fights at a food bank. Sarah Kendall returns as the down-on-her-luck comic Sarah Gilbeaux, and Juliet Cowan is watchable as Dave's rich and unstable sister Claudia, who speaks in Dr Seuss-like rhymes and falls victim to Chi's cons.
Narrative Changes and Continued Quirks
In the first series, the list from Chi's parents served as a loose narrative conceit, but in series two, it becomes almost nonexistent, with Ruth now providing suggestions based on therapy sessions. This shift, coupled with Karen's absence, makes the show feel distinctly different. However, Keskin remains perfectly gormless as Chi, occasionally aided by miniature versions of her heroes, such as pleading with Lily Allen for advice on charity donations.
The show retains its quirky charm, with characters often using nonsensical idiolects and misunderstanding basic concepts, reminiscent of the incompetence seen in Stath Lets Flats. Ghostly appearances by Chi's dead parents add a sadcom touch, though it never becomes truly devastating.
Final Thoughts and Where to Watch
Despite the changes, Things You Should Have Done series two offers moments of brilliance, from liberated horses to cleaners set to the sound of Spanish one-hit wonders Las Ketchup. Fans might hope for Karen's return in a future series, but for now, this evolution showcases Keskin's talent and the show's ability to adapt. The series aired on BBC Three and is available to stream on iPlayer.
