When Australian office comedy Fisk was added to Netflix, it became a sleeper hit — and now that the third season of the hilarious series starring Kitty Flanagan has been added to the streamer, it’s the perfect time to get hooked.
There haven’t been many big sitcom releases lately, so if you’re craving a laugh with a touch of edginess to it, Fisk might be just what the doctor — or the judge — ordered.
Here’s why the Watch With Us team is recommending Fisk this weekend.
Kitty Flanagan Makes a Hilarious and Entertaining Lead
Comedian Kitty Flanagan cowrites and stars in Fisk, where she plays ridiculously abrasive lawyer Helen Tudor-Fisk. Before the events of season 1, Helen was fired from her prestigious Sydney law firm for being rude to clients, around the same time that her husband left her for another woman. Eventually, she found a job at a small will and probate law firm in her hometown of Melbourne, based only on her status as the daughter of a retired Supreme Court justice. (She refused to provide references from her previous firm.)
Helen Tudor-Fisk balances cluelessness about people with savvy about the law, abrasiveness with surprising empathy. She’s relentlessly entertaining, providing awkward comedy that doesn’t go so far as to be unbearably cringeworthy. Flanagan’s performance is reliably fun. Her comedic timing and dry wit make Helen one of the most engaging sitcom leads of the past decade, and you’ll find yourself laughing even when she’s making a complete mess of her personal life.
It’s a Perfect Substitute for Some of Our Favorite Office Comedies
If you love The Office or Parks and Recreation but can’t bring yourself to rewatch either show yet another time, Fisk feels like the ideal next step. The sitcom does an excellent job of balancing episodic stories with season-long character arcs and making us feel connected to the characters.
Fewer traditional sitcoms are being made these days, and that makes Fisk’s simple format feel special. It’s easy viewing that is guaranteed to make you laugh. Even better, the workplace antics feel both familiar and refreshingly specific to Melbourne culture, giving fans of U.S. comedies something new to sink into.
It Doesn’t Sacrifice Character Growth — Instead, It Leans In
Some sitcoms keep characters from evolving for the sake of maintaining established character dynamics, but Fisk is taking bigger risks. In season 3, just added to Netflix, Helen is taking on new challenges by becoming a partner at her firm — meaning she’s forced to manage people in the office, win over new clients and generally be less obnoxious.
We have no doubt she’ll flounder along the way, but she’s actively trying to change — and watching her journey is sure to be an entertaining ride. Fisk’s willingness to let Helen grow makes each new season feel fresh rather than repetitive.
Watch Fisk on Netflix. Season 3 was just released this week, so you have plenty to binge over the weekend.
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