British comedy-drama from creators of Peep Show with "charismatic cast" is leaving Netflix soon

It's been 15 years since British comedy-drama Fresh Meat first aired on Channel 4, but if you still haven't seen it - or you fancy a rewatch - you don't have long. The coming-of-age series is currently available on Netflix, but will be leaving the streamer next week (27 September).

Created by Peep Show's Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, the show follows six university 'freshers' who are thrown together in an awkward house share. Despite their differences, the students form an unlikely friendship as they navigate their confusing new life away from home.

Across four seasons and 30 episodes, the characters balance financial struggles, work pressures and studying with ill-advised romances, partying and figuring out who they really are.

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Fresh Meat stars Zawe Ashton as the streetwise Vod, Greg McHugh as the eccentric Howard, Kimberley Nixon as mild-mannered Josie, Charlotte Ritchie as self-conscious Oregon, Joe Thomas as the shy Kingsley and Jack Whitehall as wealthy JP.

The supporting cast includes Tony Gardner, Sara Stewart, Jack Fox, Robert Webb, James Musgrave, Adam Gillen and Gemma Chan.

The comedy series currently holds an impressive approval rating of 89% across its four seasons on Rotten Tomatoes, though there are only 16 reviews on the page. Still, critics praised the realistic yet 'absurd' portrayal of the student experience.

"British university life has been largely under-represented on the small screen, but Fresh Meat manages to recapture the awkwardness, excitement and unpredictability that comes with being an undergraduate perfectly," wrote Metro.

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"Despite the often horrifying dysfunction of the characters, the show was always wonderfully compelling because of the combination of smart gags and touching loyalty drawing them all together, a rag-tag band of no-hopers against the world," wrote The Telegraph.

Pajiba highlighted the "compelling chemistry" of the "charismatic cast", while The Independent opined: "The real beauty is in how Fresh Meat balances laughs with drama; its characters' absurdity has never come at the expense of what makes them human."

Fresh Meat is streaming on Netflix until 27 September.

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Divya is a freelance writer with experience in entertainment and lifestyle news. Described as a "telly addict" since childhood, Divya was able to translate her interests into a BJTC-accredited, Honours degree in Journalism and Media. After working in communications and marketing, Divya joined Digital Spy as a Freelance News Reporter. She has also written for various publications including Metro, Asian World News and TwitCelebGossip; as well as interviews, features and reviews on her own blog. Divya prides herself on her TV, film and showbiz knowledge, always offering (not so) fun facts to her long-suffering friends and family. From soaps to superheroes, Divya is the go-to person for tailored recommendations and up to date information.