15 Storeys High

15 Storeys High is a critically acclaimed British sitcom, set in a tower block. The main characters are Vince Clark, a misanthropic, cynical recluse played by Sean Lock, and Errol Spears, Vince's exact opposite and whipping boy, played by Benedict Wong.

15 Storeys High (2002-2004) is a British sitcom created by Sean Lock, Mark Lamarr and Martin Trenaman for BBC Three and BBC Two. Sean Lock plays Vince Clark, a misanthropic, cynical recluse who would rather be left alone in his flat, and Benedict Wong plays Errol Spears, his exact opposite and long-suffering whipping boy. Across two seasons of six episodes each, the engine of the show is the friction between Vince's withdrawal and Errol's eagerness to belong, played out through the everyday indignities and small disasters of a dreary tower block. Each half hour unfolds as a loosely connected vignette rather than a continuing plot, with a rotating cast of quirky neighbors drifting through the building's corridors and shared spaces. The tone is flat, dry and deliberately bleak, with surreal moments that undercut the grim setting. Set in a contemporary British high-rise, the series sits in the same deadpan tradition as The Office (UK), Early Doors and Spaced, and will appeal to viewers who enjoy sour, observational comedy with an unlikable protagonist at its center.

• The Office (UK)shared tones of deadpan surreal absurdity and a misanthropic lead in a British sitcom
• Early Doorsshared flat-set vignette structure and dark observational humor
• Spacedshared surreal, cynical comedic register in a self-contained sitcom format

Created by

Sean Lock, Mark Lamarr, Martin Trenaman

Release Date

2002-11-07

Episode runtime

30 min

Rating

8.1 / 10 (40)

What is 15 Storeys High about?

A cynical recluse and his put-upon neighbor navigate the absurd, dreary life of a British tower block.

What is 15 Storeys High like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of 15 Storeys High as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is 15 Storeys High violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in 15 Storeys High.

Which shows are like 15 Storeys High?

Shows with a similar feel include The Office (UK), Early Doors, and Spaced.

How long is 15 Storeys High?

15 Storeys High: 2 seasons, 12 episodes.

Is 15 Storeys High still running?

No, 15 Storeys High has ended.