Some love stories begin at the end. A darkly comic coming-of-age road trip about two teenage misfits searching for meaning in all the wrong places.
The End of the F***ing World (2017-2019)
The Misfit Duo
James (Alex Lawther), a self-diagnosed psychopath, plans to kill his rebellious classmate Alyssa (Jessica Barden) - until she drags him on a spontaneous road trip to find her estranged father. Their journey becomes a darkly funny and unexpectedly poignant exploration of trauma, connection, and what it means to be "normal."
James
17-year-old who collects dead animals and believes he's a psychopath
Alyssa
Angry, foul-mouthed teen desperate to escape her dysfunctional home
The Journey
Their road trip spirals into a crime spree and nationwide manhunt
The Brilliant Cast
Alex Lawther
as James
Jessica Barden
as Alyssa
Steve Oram
as Phil
Naomi Ackie
as Bonnie
Unforgettable Moments
The Murder
James kills a man to protect Alyssa (Season 1, Episode 4)
Beach Confession
James admits his feelings before turning himself in (S1E8)
Phone Call
Alyssa's heartbreaking call to James (Season 2, Episode 4)
Powerful Themes
Trauma & Healing
How childhood wounds shape identity and relationships
First Love
The messy, painful beauty of teenage connection
Mental Health
Exploring psychopathy, depression, and emotional numbness
Behind The Scenes
Based On
Charles Forsman's graphic novel
Episodes
8 per season (20 min each)
Original Network
Channel 4 (UK) / Netflix
Filming Location
Essex, England
Critical Reception
"A perfect blend of pitch-black comedy and genuine pathos, with two of TV's most compelling performances."
— The Guardian
"Lawther and Barden have explosive chemistry that makes their damaged characters impossible to look away from."
— Rolling Stone
Why This Matters
This cult British series redefined teen drama by:
- Breaking conventions: A psychopath and a rebel as romantic leads
- Perfect pacing: Bite-sized 20-minute episodes packed with meaning
- Authentic voices: Rare honest portrayal of teenage angst
- Cultural impact: Inspired countless "misfit romance" stories
⚠️ Content Warning: Contains violence, sexual content, and strong language.
Where to Watch
Netflix
Worldwide (except UK)
Channel 4
UK (Free with ads)