Plebs

Plebs carved a unique niche by reimagining Ancient Rome through the lens of modern office culture. Debuting on ITV2, it ditched historical grandiosity for the mundane struggles of low-status citizens Marcus, Stylax, and the slave Grumio. The series succeeded by treating the Roman Empire as a bureaucratic backdrop for universal anxieties: dating, employment, and social status. Its signature ska and reggae soundtrack created a stylistic clash that defined its identity. While the cast shifted, the writing remained rooted in sharp, irreverent humor. The 2022 feature-length finale provided a definitive conclusion, yet the show remains a high-water mark for comedies that punched above their weight. Keep a reminder set for your digital calendar, as Roman history is long and a revival could always emerge from the ruins.