First off, I didn’t think The Flatshare would grab me as quickly as it did. I mean, two strangers sharing a flat without ever meeting and communicating only through Post-it notes? Sounds like a rom-com setup that could go either way. But a couple of episodes in, and I was totally invested.

Even knowing what London rent prices are, I couldn’t wrap my head around why anyone would agree to this arrangement, but the show does a great job of laying out Leon and Tiffany’s circumstances. It’s not just about saving money, it’s about survival, healing, and hope. You get them. Their struggles are grounded, and their lives are messy in a very relatable way; you’ve probably been in, or know someone who was in, that kind of struggle.

Jessica Brown Findlay, who Downton Abbey fans will recognize as Sybil, or from Brave New World, or even The Riot Club. She plays Tiffany with a kind of open-hearted chaos that feels totally authentic. She’s got baggage, sure, but also a brightness to her. And Anthony Welsh (Pure, Fleabag) as Leon? Quiet, thoughtful, and kind. I didn’t know much about him before this but I’m paying attention now. Their chemistry is sweet, but refreshingly un-rushed. This could’ve easily leaned into “will they/won’t they” territory in a cliché way, but instead it lets their bond build slowly, and that actually made it even more engaging for me.

The romance is there, but it’s not handed to you. It simmers. Which, honestly, is kind of perfect. And yes, there’s a cozy vibe to the show, but it also touches on real stuff: grief, emotional abuse, burnout, and complicated friendships. It’s not all sunshine and sticky notes, and I appreciated that.

Also worth mentioning, Jonah Hauer-King from The Little Mermaid, World on Fire, pops up and plays a somewhat charming guy, Bart Edwards (The Witcher, Unreal), and Shaniqua Okwok (It’s a Sin) round out a really solid supporting cast.

I was told that this show is like Normal People or Love Me, where romance takes its time and characters feel flawed and human, I still need to watch these shows but if they’re like The Flatshare that’s one more reason for me to check them out. The Flatshare isn’t trying to reinvent the genre, but it is trying (and succeeding) to make you feel something warm and real. It’s heartfelt, a little quirky, and surprisingly bingeable. I didn’t expect to care this much, but by the end, I was rooting so hard for these two.

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