Nathan Barley

Editor Reviews

• Blake Mercer

  Rating: 5

  5

  May 14, 2025

  Co-written by Chris Morris and Charlie Brooker, "Nathan Barley" takes aim squarely at the self-promoting, style-over-substance culture of early 2000s London hipsters. The titular character, played by Nicholas Burns, is a 'self-facilitating media node' who embodies everything irritating about the scene. The show's satirical eye is sharp, predicting many trends in online self-aggrandisement. It features early appearances from Benedict Cumberbatch and Richard Ayoade. While perhaps less overtly surreal than Morris's earlier work, it retains a cynical edge and a keen observation of cultural trends that makes it a fascinating time capsule and critique.