Sometimes you want a show that’s non-political. We’ve had enough British dramas about political scandals that are barely out of our collective memory, copaganda (sorry, Happy Valley), or too far-fetched to be at all relatable.

But, as your year 12 politics teacher probably told you, everything is political, and TV is a great way to learn about different people’s experiences of various fucked up institutions without feeling like you’ve got decades of political goss to catch up on.

Derry Girls

Easily one of the best sitcoms of the past five years. Derry Girls follows a teenage friendship group growing up in Northern Ireland. Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle, and Michelle’s English cousin James navigate their way through young adulthood during the end of The Troubles, all (yes, all) attending a Catholic girls’ secondary school. The combination of absurd sitcom scenarios set in the political unrest and divides of the times, based on writer and creator Lisa McGee’s own teenage years, shows what it was like for those growing up in the conflict.

Available for free on All 4.

This is Going to Hurt

Addictive, but certainly not easy watching, This is Going to Hurt follows Adam Kay, author of the book the show is based on and former NHS doctor, through tumultuous times on the labour ward. You can’t help but like and root for Adam, although he is portrayed as being unlikeable to his colleagues. A few – entirely understandable – mistakes follow Adam and junior doctor Shruti (Ambika Mod), showing the lack of support and exploitation of junior doctors and other workers in the NHS.

Available for free on BBC iPlayer.

I May Destroy You

The single-season series follows Arabella (played by Chewing Gum’s Michaela Coel, also the exec producer of the show), a young writer and influencer who tries to rebuild her life after being raped. With a predominantly Black British cast, I May Destroy You is a heart-wrenching exploration of the challenges faced by rape survivors, what it means to be a woman in Britain, and the obstacles Black people face when dealing with our police and health services.

Available for free on BBC iPlayer.