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Cucumber

Cucumber

2015Miniseries1 season8 episodes~50 min/epMidcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

Original drama series from Russell T Davies exploring the passions and pitfalls of 21st century gay life, beginning with the most disastrous date night in history.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Cucumber?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Cucumber to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Rent / Buy

BuyBuy

Highlights

What stands out about Cucumber?

Cucumber earns 4 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Preferred by Men.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Cucumber worth watching?

Cucumber's Midcredits score is the 79th percentile of all shows, from 4.2K ratings across 2 sources. 82% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

79th percentile

Better received than 79% of shows

79th percentile among Drama77th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)76th
Approval (how many liked it)77th

Acclaim

Crowd Pleaser: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

76 /100

76th percentile of all shows

78th percentile among Drama74th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

Big peaks at both ends — people either love this or bounce off it hard.

Approval

How many liked it

82% liked it

77th percentile of all shows

74th percentile among Drama75th percentile among 2010s
82% rated it 7–1018% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

75th percentile

4.1K ratings across platforms

69th percentile among Drama76th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 11% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A raw, sexually explicit, and stereotypical depiction of gay male life in Manchester that provokes strong reactions about its accuracy and intent.

Fans praised

  • Brave unflinching portrayal of gay male sexuality and aging
  • Superb performances especially Vincent Franklin and Cyril Nri
  • Sharp, funny script that balances comedy with genuine drama and dark themes

Detractors panned

  • Mean-spirited, loveless world where characters are shallow and unlikable
  • Tonal incoherence failing as drama, comedy or satire
  • Overwhelming focus on sex and sleaze at expense of character depth

What stands out

ActingDivisive78

Vincent Franklin and Cyril Nri praised for emotional range; competent but not elevating weak material for detractors

DialogueDivisive72

Witty and raw script; funny and dramatic for fans, insipid for detractors

OriginalityDivisive70

Refreshing focus on older gay men; detractors find it derivative of Queer as Folk

AtmosphereDivisive65

Immersive, energetically seedy Manchester gay scene; off-putting to detractors

Plot and storyDivisive55

Fans praise surprising twists and character-driven arcs; detractors cite incoherent subplots and rushed ending

Emotional impactDivisive50

Fans moved by raw honesty and tragedy; detractors find no love or catharsis

HumorDivisive50

Strong comic nature works for fans as satire; too unfunny for detractors

CharactersDivisive40

Deliberately unlikable anti-heroes; fans see realism, detractors see shallow caricatures

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 35 points higher than women.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 34 points higher than US viewers.

Episodes

1 season

Miniseries · 2015 · 8 episodes

  • S1E1

    Episode 1

    Jan 22, 201546 min
  • S1E2

    Episode 2

    Jan 29, 201547 min
  • S1E3

    Episode 3

    Feb 5, 201548 min
  • S1E4

    Episode 4

    Feb 12, 201545 min
  • S1E5

    Episode 5

    Feb 19, 201548 min
  • S1E6

    Episode 6

    Feb 26, 201547 min
  • S1E7

    Episode 7

    Mar 5, 201548 min
  • S1E8

    Episode 8

    Mar 12, 201547 minFinale

Watch experience

What is Cucumber like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Ironic, dark and gentle — a slow-burn watch that leaves you thinking.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
ContemplativeMelancholicWarm
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Satirical · 5% of showsWry · 7% of shows: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
SerializedSingle-season story
ToneThe series plays its material at a knowing distance, balancing satirical comedy with genuine drama, often undercutting its own darker moments with humour.
The rideA steady, reflective register with melancholy and warmth balanced across the run.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically across its single season, tracking Henry's journey from his breakdown through his new life with younger men; no structural devices are prominent enough to mark.
Episode formatEight episodes form one continuous story following an ensemble across the series.
Season formatOne season telling one complete story; the series is concluded.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Thought-provokingUnsettling
Why it leaves you this wayThe series leaves viewers contemplating the complexities and contradictions of modern gay life and the toll of societal pressures, with an underlying discomfort that lingers.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Tragedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4% (this title): Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1% (this title)
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Tragedy: A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin. · Crushed by fate: Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.

4% of shows fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe series follows Henry's breakdown and departure from his long-term relationship, exploring how circumstance and personal choices lead to loss and disillusionment across the gay community, reflecting a tragic arc of lives shaped by forces beyond their control.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfIdentitySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27% (this title): Identity 20% (this title) · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% (this title) · Isolation 3% (this title) · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Self

IdentityCommunity: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation · 3% of shows
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeExplores how gay men navigate identity, belonging, and disconnection in a changing urban landscape.
StanceQuestions what identity and community mean for gay men today without celebrating or condemning.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticRealistic
ElectronicSupportive music · original score
SettingModern gay life in Manchester.

Content guide

Is Cucumber okay for kids?

As of August 29, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (67/100), sexual content at intense (74/100), language at intense (67/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at intense (61/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 6 other countries
  • UK18
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany18
  • France18
  • Spain18
  • Türkiye18+
Overall
Intense · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Intense
heavier than 92% of all shows
Profanity
Intense
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (6 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (45 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Cucumber have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Cucumber?

Cast

Vincent Franklin
as Henry Best
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.
Julie Hesmondhalgh
as Cleo Whitaker
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
James Murray
as Daniel Coltrane
Fisayo Akinade
as Dean Monroe
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Freddie Fox
as Freddie Baxter
Ceallach Spellman
as Adam Whitaker
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Eleanor Worthington-Cox
as Molly Whitaker
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Cyril Nri
as Lance Sullivan
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Anjli Mohindra
as Veronica Chandra
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Con O'Neill
as Cliff Costello

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