Quacks

BBC Two’s Quacks arrived in 2017 as a sharp, satirical dissection of Victorian medical pioneers. While it lasted one season, its legacy remains rooted in a fearless blend of comedy and gore. By portraying surgery as a theatrical, bloody spectacle, the series exposed the dangerous arrogance of 1840s medicine. It challenged the stoic image of the era, replacing it with a chaotic reality of ego and experimentation. The chemistry between the central quartet—a surgeon, a dentist, an alienist, and an aspiring female physician—balanced pitch-black humor with historical insight. Though its run was brief, it remains a cult favorite for those who appreciate history stripped of its polish. Set a reminder for your alerts; you never know when a revival or spin-off might surface.