Detectorists (Seasons 1–3)

Detectorists (2014) is a BBC Four comedy series you can watch online on iFILM. Mackenzie Crook — who wrote, directed and stars in it — follows two friends, Andy and Lance, as they sweep metal detectors across the fields of Essex. The goal is a Saxon hoard. The pace is whatever the opposite of urgent is.

The jokes don't land on cue. The humour sits in the gaps: a tense club meeting, a rival detectorist who takes the whole thing too personally, Lance — played by Toby Jones — whose life isn't quite working but who seems to have found, at least, the right field to stand in. The show is gentle without being soft.

Three series, a BAFTA for best scripted comedy, and a following that still talks about it. Watch Detectorists online on iFILM.