TV fans have rediscovered a BBC comedy starring Olivia Colman and can’t stop raving about the show.

Beautiful People follows the story of teenager Simon Doonan, played by Luke Ward-Wilkinson, who dreams of leaving his life in Reading and going to London.

The comedy drama series originally aired between 2008 and 2009 and is still available to stream on BBC iPlayer. 

Other cast members include Olivia Colman as Simon’s mother, Debbie, Layton Williams as Kylie Parkinson and Aidan McArdle as Andy Doonan.

Avid TV watchers uncovered the programme again in a recent post on Reddit where someone was asking for help identifying the show they previously watched.

The user wrote: ‘I saw this show ages ago, it must have been a TV show or movie from around 2006-2011, maybe. 

The cast of BBC comedy Beautiful People, which originally aired in 2008 and 2009

Olivia Colman as Debbie, Layton Williams as Kylie and Luke Ward-Wilkinson as Simon in the show

Adian McArdle in character as Andy, beside Olivia as Debbie 

‘It was definitely a British production and I am mostly sure that it was a TV show, rather than a movie. I remember the accents and the distinctive type of British humor.’

They went on to describe scenes in the show and asked if anyone recognised the programme. 

Other users were able to help and identified it as the BBC’s Beautiful People. 

The hidden gem has received glowing reviews online over the years and the series has left fans gripped by the jokes, described as ‘completely loony’. 

One viewer posted on IMDB: ‘It’s been so long since I have had such a good rousing laugh out of watching characters on screen. 

‘And such wild and colourful characters they are – set in equally atrocious plot lines! The six half-hour episodes of the two seasons of Beautiful People are unpredictable and completely loony. 

‘The jokes are sometimes so terrible, you cannot help but laugh helplessly at the insanely good acting that makes each of them work.’

The hidden gem has received raving reviews online over the years and the series has left fans gripped by the comedy

Others have shared their verdicts on X and one penned: ‘Just finished my first rewatch of Beautiful People since it aired. I’m glad I got to watch it as a kid with my Mam. 

‘With a brill cast including @LukeWardWil & @LaytonWilliams Who doesn’t want to see Olivia Coleman in an emotional coming out scene? It really is my #Heartstopper!’

Another chimed in: ‘Beautiful People was such a great show, and Olivia Coleman… Wow! To have a mum like that would’ve been incredible.’

One viewer said: ‘What I wouldn’t have given for a few more seasons of Beautiful People, or would still for a continuation. One of my favorites! Makes me love seeing Olivia Colman everywhere these days.’

Someone else said: ‘I love Beautiful People. It’s where I first encountered Olivia Coleman. I have it on DVD thankfully so can watch it #oldskool.’

Beautiful People is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.