Ideal

Moz is a small-time cannabis dealer whose flat doubles as a meeting point for an oddball cast of friends, clients and hangers-on. The show follows his dry, often darkly comic routines as he deals with the practical side of his trade and the bizarre personal dramas that drift through his life. Episodes trade neat plot twists for mood and character detail, staying rooted in everyday moments that slowly reveal how the group fits together. Humor comes from awkward interactions, resigned observations and sudden absurdity, never leaning on big moral reckonings or tidy resolutions.

Released in 2005, Ideal was created by Graham Duff and directed for television by Ben Gosling Fuller. The series features Johnny Vegas as Moz, with Duff, Tom Goodman-Hill, Nicola Reynolds and Ben Crompton among the regular cast, bringing a consistent ensemble energy across its run.

It did not sweep mainstream awards, but the performances, especially Vegas's, earned steady recognition among critics and viewers who track British comedy. There are no widely reported major industry prizes tied to the series, yet it kept a visible profile in niche reviews and genre roundups.

Among devoted viewers Ideal developed a quiet cult following thanks to its peculiar tone and recurring eccentric characters. Its style influenced a slice of alternative UK comedy in the 2000s, with fans citing its strange atmosphere and the steady interplay between the lead and supporting players as its chief attractions rather than headline moments or standout stunts.

Critical reception tended to be positive, reflected in a user vote average of 8.1/10 from 35 votes. Reviewers and fans point to the show’s focus on odd relationships, moral ambiguity and deadpan absurdity as central themes. It favors character detail and mood over plot mechanics, rewarding patience and attention to small, often funny human flaws.