10 comfort shows carers are loving right now
- Emily Hart
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
Sometimes, the simplest way to reset after a long day is by pressing play.
Our favourite comfort show can help us feel less alone and offer a bit of light relief at the click of a button. Sometimes it’s not about the plot at all, but being able to mentally switch off and let something easy carry us for a while.
Finding the time to watch TV can feel like a small luxury if we’re someone who cares, but getting lost in a good show, even for 20 minutes, can be a good way to refill our cup. Or offer a bit of temporary escapism if we’re having a wobbly day. It’s something we might enjoy on our own, or share with the person we care for, creating a moment of connection without requiring extra energy.
In a recent Mobilise Moment, 89% of the Mobilise community strongly agreed that watching a good TV show can help us unwind.
Over in the Mobilise Hub, the community has been voting for their favourite comfort shows. From laugh-out-loud favourites to gentle classics, these are the shows we keep coming back to, including the one that took the top spot.
The Repair Shop - BBC iPlayer
The Repair Shop is one of those rare shows that slows everything down. Each episode follows a team of specialist craftspeople as they come together to restore old family heirlooms, each carrying a powerful personal story. As the items are carefully brought back to life, we hear from the people behind them who share their stories of loved ones, memories, and moments that mean the world to them.
The real magic comes at the end of the episode, when guests are finally reunited with their restored treasures for the first time and get to see their item as they once remembered it. It’s wonderfully heart-warming. But be warned, happy tears are practically guaranteed with this one.
With over 300 episodes available for free on BBC iPlayer, it’s easy to dip in and out whenever it suits us. Episodes can be watched in any order, so there’s no pressure to catch up if we miss one. We can also download episodes on the BBC iPlayer app to our phone - perfect for filling time in waiting rooms or if we have a moment of quiet when we’re on the go.
Motherland - BBC iPlayer
An ideal pick for anyone looking for a bit of a laugh on days when everything feels overwhelming, Motherland is the perfect mix of chaos, sarcasm, and school-gate satire.
When Julia’s mother unexpectedly steps back from helping her with childcare, she is forced to juggle a more hands-on role with her demanding PR job. It’s hard not to laugh at her deadpan sarcasm, sharp wit and “I’ll deal with it later” attitude. Every episode captures the absurdity and the small victories of parenthood and playground politics. While Motherland focuses on parenting rather than caring, it perfectly depicts the juggling act many of us know all too well, keeping multiple plates spinning all at once.
The show highlights the relief that humour can provide in periods of chaos: from school drop-off dramas to moments of hilarious outrage. Julia and her friends navigate the messiness of daily life with honesty and charm. The cast’s candid approach delivers that comforting “well, it’s not just me” feeling that we all need sometimes. It’s an ideal pick for anyone looking for a bit of a laugh on days when everything feels overwhelming.
Watch all episodes of Motherland on BBC iPlayer now or try the spin-off show ‘AmandaLand’
I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here - ITVX
For pure escapism, this classic delivers. I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! drops a group of celebrities into the jungle, far from their usual comforts. They face bushtucker trials to win food for camp and battle it out for the title of King or Queen of the Jungle. Expect plenty of laughs, a bit of drama, and some surprisingly warm moments along the way.
Ant and Dec’s chemistry and silly humour make it a fun watch, and there’s something satisfying about watching celebrities take part in ridiculous challenges (the celebrity cyclone at the end is well worth the wait)
Although it’s only on once a year, older series are available on ITVX, so there’s no waiting around for the next episode. Everything’s there when we are, and episodes can be downloaded to watch offline. Result!
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing - BBC iPlayer
Another popular choice in the community was Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.
Comedians and long-time friends Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse head off on quiet fishing trips across the UK. Between casting lines, they talk openly about life, friendship, ageing, and health, including Bob’s recent experience of heart surgery. There’s no pressure to follow a storyline, no dramatic cliffhangers, just two friends making each other laugh and enjoying being outdoors.
Gone Fishing can be the ideal calming comfort show. It’s a lovely choice if we want something to watch with the person we care for, or if we just want something soothing in the background. Many episodes feel less like entertainment and more like gentle company, which is exactly what we need some days.
“I just adore Bob Mortimer. He’s so funny”
6. All Creatures Great and Small - Channel 5
If there’s one show that truly earns its reputation as ‘the comfort watch we all need’, this is it. Set in the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales, All Creatures Great and Small follows newly qualified vet James Herriot as he begins work under the wonderfully eccentric Siegfried Farnon. As James settles into rural life, each episode brings small adventures with local farmers and a close-knit community that slowly starts to feel like home.
Originally broadcast between 1978 and 1990, the series was rebooted in 2020, and it’s just as soothing as ever. With its cosy pace and beautiful scenery, it’s easy to see why it’s racked up a staggering 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s a particularly great choice if we’re craving something calm and reassuring. The kind of programme we can dip in and out of, knowing we’ll be met with kindness, warmth and the occasional animal-related mishap.
“I loved All Creatures. A gentle programme with humour.”
5. Stranger Things - Netflix
If we’re looking for something a bit more thrilling, Stranger Things is the perfect pick. But be warned, it’s an emotional rollercoaster! Set in 1980s Indiana, the series follows a desperate mother (played by Wynona Ryder) as she hunts for her missing son, Will, who has mysteriously disappeared. Along the way, Will’s loyal friends uncover supernatural forces, secret government experiments, and a series of extraordinary mysteries that quickly spiral out of control.
Despite the thrills, the friendships and courage at the heart of the show give it warmth, and it’s no wonder it has attracted a huge following and remains one of Netflix’s top-grossing series. The soundtrack alone will provide us with a trip down memory lane, featuring hits from Kate Bush, Prince, and Led Zeppelin, guaranteed to take us straight back to the ‘80s.
“I'm waiting to binge Stranger Things and very excited”
While it’s one of the more dramatic picks, it’s incredibly addictive, which makes it easy to get lost in when we want a small break from reality. Episodes are long enough to feel like a proper escape, and there are plenty of seasons to dive into.
4. Emmerdale - ITVX
Soaps can be surprisingly comforting, and Emmerdale is no exception. Set in a tight-knit Yorkshire village, the show follows the ups and downs of families like the Dingles, the Sugdens, and the Kings as they navigate love, loss, and the chaos of everyday life.
With 37 seasons to explore, there’s plenty to sink into. Episodes are easy to catch up on if we miss them, and we can even download them on the ITVX app and watch on the go. Soaps can be surprisingly comforting. With familiar characters and ongoing storylines, Emmerdale offers a sense of routine, something many of us can take comfort in when so much else feels unpredictable.
3. Have I Got News for You - BBC iPlayer
If the news feels overwhelming, sometimes the best way to make sense of it all is to have a laugh instead. Have I Got News for You is a comedy quiz show where celebrity contestants and regular panellists tackle the week’s top stories with dry humour and sarcasm. The mix of current affairs and humour makes it a brilliant way to feel a little lighter while staying in the loop.
Over the years, famous faces like Paul Merton, Jo Brand, Nish Kumar, and Claudia Winkleman have featured on the panel, bringing their own unique style to the chaos of the news. From playful digs to sharp one-liners, the show reminds us that it’s okay to step back and chuckle at the absurdity of the world around us.
Episodes are all available on BBC iPlayer, and we can download them too. The short, punchy episodes make it easy to watch even when time is tight, and the familiar format means we know exactly what we’re getting. If we want something witty and distracting, without committing to a full series, Have I Got News for You is the perfect pick.
2. Strictly Come Dancing - BBC iPlayer
Coming in as the second most popular pick, Strictly Come Dancing is a ready-made dose of sparkle whenever we need it. Packed with glittering costumes, dazzling hair and makeup, and catchy music, it’s a show that can instantly lift our mood. Judges like Shirley and Motsi bring personality, charm, and the occasional cheeky critique, keeping us entertained as celebrity contestants twirl, cha-cha, and foxtrot across the dance floor. Even though new episodes only air once a year, older seasons are perfect for dipping into if we want a bit of uplift.
Last but not least, the top spot for best comfort show goes to…
1. Race Across the World – BBC iPlayer
Topping the charts as the most popular comfort TV show in the community, the one and only Race Across the World, AKA the ultimate armchair adventure. It’s a show that lets us go on a journey from the comfort of our own home, experiencing new countries, cultures, and challenges alongside the contestants, all without having to pack a bag or leave the sofa.
The concept is simple but gripping: pairs of contestants race across a continent with no flights and a strict budget, travelling only by land and sea. At various checkpoints along the way, the first teams to arrive earn a head start for the next leg of the race, adding strategy, tension, and plenty of drama. Watching contestants navigate new cities and unexpected setbacks makes for a compelling watch.
There’s also a Celebrity Race Across the World, where familiar faces tackle the same challenges while bringing their unique personalities to the journey. Episodes of both are all available on BBC iPlayer, so we can watch back older seasons too.
It’s easy to see why this claimed the top spot: the combination of adventure, human connection, and the thrill of the race makes it a show that’s impossible not to get swept up in and invested in.
If we enjoyed reading about the top recommended comfort shows, we might also like Uplifting media for when we're caring, Three quick tips to lift our mood or for inspiration on caring related shows and films, try Caring Through the Pages.
Seen any of these shows before? Or have a go-to comfort show that always hits the spot? Share your recommendations with fellow carers in the Mobilise Hub. Your next comfort show pick could be someone else’s perfect escape, too!
